Tuesday Forecast – Classic Cruising All Day With Scattered Periods Of Happiness For Everyone

Pappy – 1931 Chris-Craft 20′ Model 200

Well, after months of anticipation, the classic boating season is finally here (at least in Florida) and today we are joining up with some fellow Woody Boaters for a day of cruising on the Southbound St. John’s River Cruise in Central Florida. And the forecast for today is Sunny 81 degrees (Feels like 84 degrees – 28.8 C for our friends in Canada) with a few thunderstorms.

Jim Staib & Crew on Lucky 7 – 1951 Chris-Craft 22′ Sportsman

We arrived in Palatka, Florida on Monday, which is the stopping point on the river cruise route on both Monday and Tuesday night. The popular St. John’s River Cruises (north before the show and south after the show) are organized in conjunction with Sunnyland ACBS Chapter Wooden Boat Festival on Lake Dora, in Tavares, Florida.

The nice folks from the Sunnyland Chapter ACBS have been organizing these cruise events for a number of years now, and they have it figured out… Keeping in mind that organizing boaters can be like herding cats some days! The South Cruise runs from From Sunday, March 17th to Thursday, March 21st and covers some fantastic waterways throughout central Florida.

Paul & Karen Harrison and John & Kim Kadimik – on board Kabot’s Habit – 1965 Chris-Craft 24′ Sea Skiff

The boats began to arrive to the docks of the Palatka Quality Inn mid afternoon on Monday, so we snapped a few shots of the classic boaters as they pulled in to the docks to give you an idea of the wide range of boats that are participating in this years event.

Adele – 1959 Lyman 23′ Utility

One of the greatest things about this event is the wonderful cross section of classic boaters who attend the event from all over the country and the impressive range of classic boats that participate every year. This is also a great opportunity to visit with old friends and make some new friends along the way. Here’s the stats – based on the most recent sign in sheet:

Over 65 Participants Total – 22 Captains / 43 Crew from 17 US States & 3 Canadian Provinces

Guy Marvin III & Mike Favilla – Majestic – 1936 Chris-Craft 22′ Triple Cockpit Runabout

23 Boats Registered – from 13 US States & 2 Canadian Provinces

Columbus, OH
Memphis, TN
St. Michaels, MD
Dunwoody, GA
Unionville, IN
Sioux Falls, SD
Humbolt, IA
Excelsior, MN
New Fairfield, CT
Louisville, KY
East Lake, OH
Jacksonville, FL
Jupiter, FL
St. Louis, MO
Fleming Island, FL
McHenry, IL
Charleston, SC
Clover, SC
Rockland, Ontario, Canada
Glen Williams, Ontario, Canada
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Norman Blackley & Anthony Davison – JR – Chris-Craft Model 300

9 Boat Manufacturers Represented

Chris Smith & Sons Boat Company
Chris-Craft
Lyman
Shepherd
Boesch
Bertram
Glastron-Carlson
Gar Wood
Donzi

Bernie LeMay – Wood Vibrations – 1960 Lyman 15′ Outboard

12 Boat Lengths Registered

15′, 15’8″, 17’5″, 18′, 19′, 20′, 22′, 23′, 24′, 26′, 27′, & a 28 footer.

1953 Chris-Craft 19′ Racing Runabout – Mahogamous Aff

Here’s a few more examples of some of the unique boats that will be joining us on today’s section of the cruise – And hopefully we will get a chance to photograph some of these beautiful boats doing what they do best throughout the day today.

Fascination – 1929 28′ Chris-Craft Triple Cockpit Runabout – Owner, Mike Hagen

Classic Donzi

1957 Shepherd 27′ Express Commuter – Despina

Stay tuned for a full report from the St. Johns River Cruise on Wednesday here on Woody Boater. Then on Wednesday afternoon, we travel south to Tavares, Florida to set up for the Sunnyland Wooden Boat Festival at Wooten Park, on the shores of beautiful Lake Dora.

Texx
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