Still Making Waves

The 14th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Antique & Classic Boat Show

Saturday, August 14, 2004, Saunder’s Parkway Marina

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. , FREE to Spectators
 

by Auburn Cecil

                In the 1920s when the first Chris-Craft boat hit the waves, people oohed and aahed. They praised the sleek lines, they traced the contours of the mahogany hull and they cheered as it ripped into the sunset racing the other runabouts of its time. More than 80 years later, those same features are keeping people of all ages enthralled at the Smith Mountain Lake Antique and Classic Boat Show. And that’s not the only boat that has kept enthusiasts wide-eyed for generations. The Boat Show features 50 to 60 boats including the Chris-Craft, Century, HackerCraft, GarWood, Thompson, Lyman and more. You’ll see cruisers, utilities, outboards, runabouts and even canoes. This year there is even a special one-of-a-kind 1916 boat coming from Florida.                             

                The show has been the premier event for the Smith Mountain Lake Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society for years. For those who love vehicles of all types, they also have antique cars and trucks. While the show has become known as the place to see the wooden boats, Lars Okeson, the chapter president, wants everyone to know that they are not exclusive when it comes to the boats. He commented, “Fiberglass boats were introduced in the 50s, and by the 60s they were the principle boat manufactured. We hope more Fiberglass boats start appearing at the shows. And while cars have to be 25 years old to classify as antique, that is not necessarily true for boats. I have seen brand new boats created in the antique style and you can’t tell whether they are restorations or re-creations. The hobby is changing and it’s not just about the old wooden boats anymore.”

                In fact, the show is about camaraderie.  It brings people from all walks of life together with a common interest. They come to show the pride they have in their boat, to swap stories and to get to know other people who love the boats. Most importantly, the show creates an opportunity for boat enthusiasts to get to know more about Smith Mountain Lake.” Lars said.                                     
 
 “The whole focus is getting people who have come from far away out on Smith Mountain Lake. When we first started the shows about 60 percent of the people came from other areas. Now it is moving toward 60 percent of the boaters being from the lake because so many of the participants have moved here.”

                For the participants, the boat show is full of hours discussing the different varieties of engines and the unique throaty sound of the boats. However, you don’t have to know anything about boats to enjoy the show. Even the novice can enjoy looking at the beautiful designs, seeing the unique features and comparing the varieties of boats. And there is so much more to do. Vendors offer everything from crafts to nautical themed-items, and plenty of activities for the kids including the “Float your Boat” event. Each child will paint and color their own little boat and then get to float it in the pool. They will also have face painting, and the famous Parkway Antique Carousel.                                           

                Come hungry because the show always features great food vendors. Lars said, “Again this year we will have lots of food vendors anchored by Homestead Creamery and their homemade ice cream.” The event is free to the public, but donations are accepted for SML’s Volunteer Fire Department. The wonderful thing about the charity support is that the Chapter matches whatever amount is given. “Any time we can, we support the charities of this area. If we have the money, we give it away. We’ve supported the Fire Department, Hospice, the Home Tour and Lake Christian Ministries.” Several of the members have even gotten paid for use of their boats and donated the money to help others.

                Don Smith said the show just keeps getting better. “I’ve been doing this since 1990 and every year the boats get more and more beautiful.” With the great location at Saunders Parkway Marina, the view is almost as beautiful as the boats. Lars said, “We love having the event at Saunders Parkway Marina. We appreciate how much Greg has supported us since 1997.”

                If you’re interested in becoming part of the SML Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, membership is open to anyone with an interest in these beautiful boats.

                Of course, boat owners do get to participate in some of the most fun events of the weekend. Friday will include the SML Treasure Hunt. Each boat gets a map and has to find six places. Once they find their place, they receive a ticket for prizes. Later that night, donated gifts are given away at the Social. The participants also get to vote on best boat in the show, the Best Cruiser, Best Runabout, Best Utility, Best Oak Board Boat and Best Lap stroke Stiff. Sign up by August 6th to join the show. For more information visit www.woodenboats.net or call 540-297-8451.

An Antique Boat Show Highlight

                This year, The SML Antique and Classic Boat Show is featuring a special 1619 Gordon coming from Florida. Lars commented, “We’re delighted to be able to attract a boat like this. It’s an incredible on-of Gordon named the Elizabeth II.

The Story of the Elizabeth II

                (As told by Owners Lance and Nancy Wilson)

                Early in 1916, James Dodworth, an American from Pittsburgh, owned island cottages in the Lakes region of Ontario, Canada. His family spent the summer months there and boats were the functional “family cars.” Dodworth ordered a new boat from a local builder, G.G. Gordon Boat Works in Bobcaygeon, and he sent spec sheets to Gordon describing the materials, power, dimensions and very specific speed requirements. Dodworth gave Gordon instructions that the boat must deliver a speed of 30mph, but if anyone asked, they were to quote speed at no more than 27. The Elizabeth II was delivered in just five months, the summer of 1916.

                Lizzy, as the grandson refers to her, was used extensively until Canada joined the war effort. She was put away, due, of course, to the gas shortage. According to Rusty, Dodworth’s grandson, she was unused until the early 50s.

                In the mid 50s, Rusty’s father tried to put her in the water, the engine ran very poorly and she almost sank. She went in to storage in the 60s and would not come out again.

                In 1989, the storage building caught fire, the Elizabeth was saved but badly damaged. She was taken to Clive’s, a small restorer in Dunsford, where I first saw her. The Elizabeth II was under a tarp, decks charred, sides blistered, the scorched framework only of the convertible top, the rear seat tops burned off.

                Amazingly she was complete except for one chrome piece and a side-light. After close inspection we decided she had to be a Hacker; hard chine, his style transom, V-hull, we determined her to be a high-speed 1920s or 30s Hacker Runabout. Clive produced the bill of sell. She was a 1916 Gordon.

                We were enamored with the Elizabeth II and during the ensuing year and a half of negotiations, we investigated Gordon. We only found one definite Gordon, a 32’ Commuter, like a cruiser. There was some question as whether Gordon built the entire boat or got the hull from Albany. The hull is a John Hacker design. The way he made the batten, the transom, he was one of a very few people who were designing V-hull, hard chine runabouts in 1916. He was a partner in Albany Boat Company in Watervillet, New York. It could have been that Gordon had Albany deliver a partially completed hull and Gordon completed it with his own very unique touches. The seat and the top came from Conroy Carriage Company of Queens Street, Toronto. As to the carpentry, the incredible finish work, the sheet metal walkway in the engine compartment, everything else is true Canadian. The engine is a Van Blerck. Van Blerck was a small builder in Monroe Michigan from 1911 or 1912. His blocks were bronze and he specialized in copper manifolds. I’m aware of 4 or 5 Van Blercks, all four cylinder. The 1916 was the first year they added a distributor to the system. She starts on the distributor, runs at idle and slower speeds better, but when you want to get up to speed you have to turn on the Mag and turn up the advance on the spark. She’ll run 30. In total, she was completed in 1,500 hours over 11 years.

                Nancy and I are the Elizabeth’s perpetuators, but we have to give credit to James Dodworth’s grandson Rusty. He was her caretaker. Without him meticulously keeping her complete, we wouldn’t have the engine, the documentation, photos and all these things are priceless.

                Rusty even kept the original toolbox that contained the engine crank, voltage meter, and courtesy light. The fuel funnel very cleverly lies across the stern with the mouth of the funnel outside the boat, any spill won’t touch the boat. And we have the gear and motor oil guns and molds for making replacement parts. All these things are links to the past that are irreplaceable.

You can see the Elizabeth II at the Antique and Classic Boat Show at Parkway Marina on August 14th. The story of Lizzy was first printed in Antique & Classic Boat magazine. For more information visit www.acbm.us or call 1-866-262-8624.