WINE COUNTRY CLASSIC BOATS, INC.

                                    Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, Inc.

                               From The Editors

   At last the time of year all of us here in the North look forward to…it’s BOAT SEASON!!!! We hope you are all shining up your beloved classics and getting ready for the many boat shows which are and will be going on. There are many opportunities to participate; just one of these is the Wine Country Show the weekend of July 20-22 in Hammondsport. Registrations are coming in fast and furious, and it promises to be a wonderful time for participants and spectators alike. Once again this year we will be cruising on the Viking Spirit on Friday to view historic sites on the north end of the East Branch of beautiful Keuka Lake.  Friday evening participants are invited to the Curtiss Museum for a cocktail party featuring wines from area wineries. Saturday will feature our display of boats and judging, followed by the parade and fly-by, and the awards ceremony. Saturday evening participants will be treated to a wonderful dinner experience at the Gentleman’s Club on Keuka Lake. The meal will be prepared by our very own chef, Dr. Bill Olmsted! On Sunday, once again Wine Country will sponsor our annual Regatta to Bluff Point and back. Be sure to mark your calendars and travel to Hammondsport for some fabulous boating! Happy Summer!!!

                                Dick and Kaye (and “Precious Time”)

  Wine Country Classic Boats, Inc.

        Invites you to our 25^th Annual Boat Show and Regatta

   July 20-22, 2007

  The featured boats this year are Boats from 1930 through 1939

Please join us for our Friday Historic Cruise, Show and Regatta in Hammondsport on picturesque Keuka Lake.

                   See from 75 to 100 + antique and classic wooden boats in one delightful location.

Traditionally, speedboat rides are offered to those who visit the docks.

Smell the varnish, hear the engines roar, taste a bit of history.

Activities Begin on Friday morning and last through Sunday afternoon!

  It’s NOT TOO LATE!!! Contact Dick and Kaye Newcomb at

WCCB2007BoatShow@aol.com for your registration form today!!!!

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A Brief Current History of CL20-088 aka “Miss Lucky”

By Jim Gould

          You know what they say about history: Just one damn thing after another.  But this is my story and I’m sticking to it.

          Jimmy, age 8, wanted desperately to take a ride in his neighbors Chris Craft.  Try as he might to get their attention, he failed to get that ride.

          Jimmy retired in 1995, and he said, “now I’m going to get that ride”.  A 2 year search for a project boat that a beginner might be able to handle (how naive can you get?) led to Boyd’s Boats in Canton CT, and a 1955 20ft. Chris Craft Continental.  It looked to be mostly original-more about that as we progress.  A purchase of new tires for the trailer, and we were on our way home, and on our way to a new experience, a steep learning curve, an empty wallet, and the ride of a lifetime.

          Much of what I knew at that time came from Classic Boating, an early decision that was and continues to be of great help.  So the first thing I did was to get the “hull card”.  I learned that the first stop for my Chris was a dealer in MI, and from Boyd, the last stop before my purchase was in Canada.  The rest is a mystery. 

          As a part of the process of getting the hull card, I learned about the Mariner’s Museum, and it’s  collection of all things C/C.  So Eleanor and I headed for Newport News and spent a day researching my boat.  Armed with drawings, manuals, and pictures, I had a place to start.  My goal was to make the boat as correct as I could.

          Time out - another interest intervened.  After retirement Eleanor and I wanted to travel, and see more of the US.  So the boat went into storage, along with everything else, and off we went for 4 years in our RV.  First in a “5^th wheel” trailer, and later in a motor home.

          So now we needed a home again, and decided that Canandaigua was the place (Eleanor’s home).  We built our home near Lincoln Hill Rd. and in the cellar included a space for a boat workshop with an overhead door.  Now the fun begins.  Classic Boating had plans for an overhead lift using 4 boat winches that could be used for turning a boat over.  So I built one.  Only one problem.  I forgot about the steel beam in the ceiling.  OK - so I could almost turn it over.  At least I could work on one side of the bottom at a time, transfer to trailer, etc.

          The moment of truth approaches.  What did I really have?  A lot of incorrect and missing hardware, incorrect spray rails the length of the boat, rotten wood around the strut, cracked ribs, rotten seats, wrong gas tank, bad propeller shaft and prop, broken dash board, and more.

          I also had some good friends and family.  To wit: Son-in-law Alistair (a professional) did a complete rebuild on the C/C “M” engine.  Since his regular work deals with race car engines he was “hell bent” on adding 20 horses, but common sense prevailed.  The engine now has an alternator, electronic ignition, and thermostatically controlled water temp.  I know, these are not in keeping with a goal to be original,  but it is in keeping with a second goal: a user boat.

          Son-in-law Bob lovingly constructed a new wooden dash board in his sophisticated wood shop, along with misc. other projects for which I did not have equipment.

Wife Eleanor and children who gave me tools, hardware, instruments and many other boat related items for Christmas.  I remember Eleanor giving me a restored carburetor for Christmas one year, and the restorer returned it to me with a red ribbon attached!

Friend Tom Steele who took the time on so many occasions to steer me in the right direction, as well as a gift of a gas tank.

          So with all this help, what did I do?  Some of the woodwork, and all the refinishing.  Star 10 for varnish/paint removal, CPES treatment for the bottom and Epifanes varnish.

          I said “some” woodwork. Doug Nichols Restoration in Branchport provided significant help, and was/is a good friend.  He replaced two side planks (damaged from the spray rails) and two bottom planks. He also did the wiring, and helped with the seat frames. 

          A little side story: I was having nightmares about the striping.  I had read several stories about how to do it but was very apprehensive.  I mentioned this to Doug, and he said “I’ll tell you how we do it,  or you can help us do it”.  I made the right decision on that one.  It was a fascinating process, and I learned a mountain of skills/information.  Only one thing.  On the way home some plastic I had placed on the inside, came loose, and smeared the new stripes down the side and back.  A call to Doug, and the next day I was back for a re-do.  No problem.

          The Continental model has quite a bit of bleaching - on the deck, along the sides, back, and the spray rails.  I purchased a stain advertised for blond mahogany, and put it on. Doug stopped by, took one look, and said “take it off”.  He provided me with the stain he makes and uses.  A major faux pas was avoided, although I must admit that at the time it was “one step forward, and six back”.

          I had hoped to have the boat ready for the WCCB show in 2005.  Didn’t happen.  But in August, after some steady work on my part, we were ready for the big day.  With two other family boats along for the celebration, we launched at Woodville on Canandaigua lake for the “maiden voyage” to it’s new home on the east side near Vine Valley.

          So you ask, how about the name - Miss Lucky?  It’s an old fashioned name for Grandma.  So the boat is named for my favorite Grandma - my wife Eleanor.

    HOW LONG WILL MY WOODEN BOAT BE OF REAL   $$$ VALUE $$$?

Now that’s one heck of a question but I will venture a guess and say indefinitely.  Why would I say that?  Well knowing what I feel deep down in my gut I would say that people will make it that way for you so sit back and relax.  Markets and market forces are constantly involved in a shift, a move or call it an adjustment.  Anything from today’s oil prices to art pieces from the Ming Dynasty will have the value line set by these forces.

It will also be set by the next buyer of your antique classic boat and you can be sure that he or she has been searching far and wide for your wooden beauty.  It does not matter if that person is about to make their first purchase or it may be another boat they will add to their collection.  It is also true if you are selling your first boat or one from your collection these market forces never rest and will be at work when you set your price.  That need or desire may be growing right now in our children and grandchildren or perhaps it might be a neighbor, a friend or a work associate but rest assured there will be a healthy market for wooden boats for ever. 

It is best to state that we, the wooden boat owners, have an object that for someone else may be a dream.  That dream may have been on hold for years or a dream they had last night after visiting a nearby boat show.  People are like that you know?  We are selling a boat and they are buying a dream.  So it is a truism that they certainly do not need a boat but sure as heck they must own one in order to satisfy their desire.

Some folks collect coins or stamps while others like cast iron banks, comic books, art in its many forms or even marbles.  Have you ever watched Antique Road Show, of course you have, and just for a moment imagine the range of items and think how long the interest levels has been there and watch the value the “experts” place on the item. History has shown that for the most part the value increases with time so in simple terms “time is on your side”.

We are an odd lot but the “want-to-bee’s” are out there and they have been waiting for their time to come.  Add to that those who have repressed the urge to buy a boat because of their house payment, the car lease and the pending college costs for one or more children.  How many of these normal people have created a priority level and the antique classic boat has not yet moved to the top of the list.  Be patient we must all be very patient because their time will come and when it does you have a market of one or many who will come forward to buy a wooden boat.

The old saying is that there are two very happy days for a boat owner.  The first is the day the boat is purchased and the second is the day it is sold.  Perhaps this is reality for some or just another old boat story that would not hold water, pardon the pun.  As I seem to be incapable of selling anything in our growing line-up of wooden boats that old boat saying certainly does not apply to me, at least not YET!  I am a collector who seems to be unable to part with anything.

There will always be a market for your boat, at the right price that will be paid by the right person.  That is the perfect match up.  Now we all know that markets are cyclical and that cycle of change is unending.  The boat you can’t sell today for let’s say $10,000 may sell sometime in the future for perhaps twice that price.  These uncontrollable forces do what they do and timing can be the best or the worse depending on how the pendulum swings.

What will happen with your boat some day?  Well you just might sell it, it may pass to whom you choose in your will or sadly it could be consumed in a fire or sink on your next outing.  Stuff happens!  Hope your insurance premiums are current!  People do win lotteries, gain wealth thru an inheritance or find affordability in other ways to make that purchase to own a wooden boat.

If you ask too much you have a problem or perhaps the condition of your boat could be, let’s say a noticeable detriment and the lesson here is to take all factors into consideration or your asking price will be a problem.  The issues are the same if you are a potential buyer.  Sure you can be hood-winked or very inexperienced and either way it is potential problem.  It is best to be totally open and honest no matter what side of the fence you are on and if this is honored your effort will be one of with a good conclusion.

So rest easy and know that our old boats will be wanted and you will find you can sell it and you can take that to the bank.  It is inevitable that the history and beauty of wooden boats will always make them desirable and the great organizations driving our hobby coupled with the beautiful sight of a grand old antique classic wooden boat on the water will always make heart’s throb.  It never fails to attract the attention of many and best of all your boat represent an art-craft that will always find an eager audience. 

Be a good ambassador for wooden boats and mark my words that through your efforts and that of the thousands of wooden boat owners will in the end result in a happy buyer and a satisfied seller.  There now you can calm down, take a deep breath and just relax!  Have a glass of red wine get some rest and call my in the morning.  I will Email you my bill!

Chuck Gladle – Member & Vice Commodore

                                                         WCCB Chapter ACBS

Finger Lakes

Boating Museum

10^th Annual Boat Show

Featuring the boats of the Penn Yan

Boat Company, and others

On Rt 54 South of Penn Yan,

next to Sarrasin’s

August 11 and 12, 2007

Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-3

(free admission)

Boats and outboard motors on land

Ships Store

Boat hardware flea market and

Boats for sale

Penn Yan and Finger Lakes Built boats welcomed

Contact: Bill Smith 585-586-0754

www.FLBM.org

                                                                                    2007 WCCB Fall Trip

                                                          Lake St. Clair & Algonac, MI Area

                                                                  September 12-16, 2007

This years Fall Trip will take us to the “6^th Great Lake,” Lake St. Clair MI. We will tour through their Islands and channels which make up the largest fresh water delta area in the U.S. plus visit a number of restoration shops and boat parts sources, and see where Chris Crafts, Gar Woods, Hacker Crafts and other famous wooden boats were originally built. We will keep our boats at what originally was a Chris Craft manufacturing site and is now called The Algonac Harbor Club.

Our tentative agenda (subject to changes) is:

          Wed., Sept. 12^th:  Meet at the Algonac Historical Museum from 3pm to 6pm for a presentation of their

                                      extensive Chris Craft and Gar Wood archives along with other local history. We will

                                      eat dinner at a near by restaurant that has its walls covered with CC and Gar Wood

                                      memorabilia.

          Thurs., Sept 13^th: Cruise to Mt. Clemens via Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. We will see where the

                                      Gar Wood and Hacker plants were and will visit several restoration shops. The ladies

                                      can shop in Mt. Clemens. Lunch will be on your own. Upon our return to the

                                      Harbor Club we will hold our annual yard cocktail party.

          Fri., Sept. 14^th:    Cruise the islands and channels, visit a couple shops, Enjoy a lunch at Brown’s

                                      Restaurant, visit a boat house or two. After returning to the Harbor Club we will go to

                                      a buffet dinner at McRae’s Big River Grill.

          Sat., Sept. 15^th:    Cruise to Wallaceberg, Ontario, Canada and visit with the WAMBO club. Lunch will                                  be on your own in town and we will visit at least one restoration shop. We will make a                                    return cruise via a second river back to the St. Clair River for a picnic with the                                                  WAMBO group and then return to the US in the evening.

          Sun. Sept. 16^th:    Cruise out to the Old Club to join them for a Sunday brunch and mini-boat show.

                                      Early in the afternoon cruise back to the Harbor Club, load boats on trailers and head

                                      for home.

The Algonac area has the following lodgings available to us:

          The Colony Motel- (810)794-5974, 6077 Pte. Tremble Rd., Algonac, MI 48001. Rooms range from

                   $60-$125. It is located about 2 miles west of the Harbor Club. Rose and I (Fred Marks) will be

                   staying here. No docks here.

          Linda’s Lighthouse B&B- (810) 794-2992, 5965 Pte. Tremble Rd., Algonac, MI 48001. There are 4                          rooms here plus a dock for a couple boats if you don’t want to leave them at the Harbor Club.                       Prices range from $95 -$135.

          River’s Edge Motel- (810)794-5467, 793 St. Clair River Dr, Algonac, MI 48001. Rooms are $55-$110.

                   This is in town and is about 5 blocks from the Harbor Club.

Please be sure to let me know where you plan to stay, your e-mail address, phone number, cell phone number and snail mail address. There will be several follow up pieces of information forthcoming!

          Fred Marks, 7552 Sunset Circle, Almond, NY 14808; (607)276-6468          frmarks@stny.rr.com

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Last modified: 08/09/08