We Have The Scoop On What’s Under The Scoop

Earlier this week, Woody Boater reported on the 14th Annual Charlotte Antique & Classic Boat Show from Lake Norman, South Carolina – Hosted by the Blue Ridge Chapter ACBS. Miracle Photography came through again with some great images from Lake Norman, and a wide range of cool wooden boats.

But for many of our viewers, one particluar boat stood out – The Turner Families 2005 Aristo-Craft Gentleman’s Raceboat named “Checkered Past”. We received a number of inquiries about this unique inboard racer, so Woody Boater contacted the nice folks at Aristo-Craft boats in Georgia for more information, and received a response the same day! Here’s how the Turner Family, from Aristo-Craft Boats describes this distinctive boat design, which blends classic, traditional lines with modern technology…

Texx – “Checkered Past” was built in 2005 as a Gentleman’s Racer style tribute. The boat is powered by a 181 Marine power Chevy, with a Paragon Gear drive turning a 13×13 prop, and the rudder and strut assembly are a Aerojet Marine setup.

The boat is constructed using Ribbon Stripe Mahogany for the sides and deck, and impact panel for the bottom. All solid stock mahogany is used for the stringers and deck supports. The hood scoop and shaft cover was hand laid 1/2″ squares of mahogany and maple in the alternating design.

The hatch cover was designed as a three way opening unit, tilting forward, or opening to the side for quick access to the battery or fuel tank.

The interior was finished with Ostrich skin seats and vintage aqua-meter gauges.

For more information on this boat or any other Aristo-Craft Boats please visit our website at http://www.aristocraftboats.com/

The Turner Family

Thanks guys, maybe some day we will be together at boat show and arrange for a classic “Full Throttle” boat ride aboard “Checkered Past”. Take a few minutes and check out their Aristo-Craft web site by clicking here, it’s one of the best web sites out there, which also includes the interesting history of Aristo-Craft Boats dating back to 1946.

Atlanta Boat Works began manufacturing Aristo-Craft boats in 1946 following Claude Turner’s return from service during World War II. Production began with five employees at a downtown Atlanta location. These early days saw the production of an open fishing-type boat which was replaced in 1947 with the models that Aristo-Craft is known for.

Today, the 1956 model Torpedo is being re-made using the same jigs as in the 1950’s. You can explore these options of the newer boats in the new boat section of the web site. A complete Aristo-Craft collection is housed in a museum-type setting, displaying one of every model boat produced, including some rare, one of a kind, boats. All production records, brochures, literature, and manufacturer’s photographs are available for research. Original Aristo-Craft promotional memorabilia is featured as well.

This collection is owned by William (Bill) Turner, son of manufacturer Claude H. Turner.

OK – Here’s today’s Pop-Quiz – How many folks out there knew that Aristo-Craft designed and produced a wooden sedan like these?

I think it’s the stylish “Holiday 18′” from the mid 1950’s, one of the many classic photos on their web site.

The Turner Family contributes a great deal of time & energy to this wonderful antique & classic boating hobby, and we here at Woody Boater appreciate what they bring to the hobby (lifestyle).

Texx