Tom Lathrop
08-08-2003, 05:25 PM
I had the good fortune to be able to attend the Gravenhurst, Ontario classic boat show this year. The theme this year was "The Gentleman's Racers". There were about 90 of these boats of all sizes in the water. Some were replicas, some were restorations and some were new designs. They ranged from the magnificent ancient Gold Cup Heldena II to a 14' Rascal (Ken Bassett design) built by our own Chris and Julie.
It rained pretty much all day which dampened the large crowd's spirit only a little but we still got around to see all the boats. The owner's of boats with real leather upholstery must have been cringing though.
I got to take a long ride and drive the Rascal with its 60hp Merc on the transom. What a hoot that was. In the rough water it could jar the fillings of your teeth out but in smoother stuff, it really flew. A fine little boat and I hope to do something similar but a bit smaller.
Also got to visit the Classic Boat Museum in Clayton, NY and that was really worthwhile too. A great collection of runabouts, launches and commuters. They have a big classic boat show there on the first of August, but I missed that.
Another visit was to the Old Outboard Association (may be the wrong name) get together at Tomahawk, WI. Practically drooled over a beautifully restored Mercury Mark 25 that I could bolt onto my future runabout.
[ 08-08-2003, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: Tom Lathrop ]
It rained pretty much all day which dampened the large crowd's spirit only a little but we still got around to see all the boats. The owner's of boats with real leather upholstery must have been cringing though.
I got to take a long ride and drive the Rascal with its 60hp Merc on the transom. What a hoot that was. In the rough water it could jar the fillings of your teeth out but in smoother stuff, it really flew. A fine little boat and I hope to do something similar but a bit smaller.
Also got to visit the Classic Boat Museum in Clayton, NY and that was really worthwhile too. A great collection of runabouts, launches and commuters. They have a big classic boat show there on the first of August, but I missed that.
Another visit was to the Old Outboard Association (may be the wrong name) get together at Tomahawk, WI. Practically drooled over a beautifully restored Mercury Mark 25 that I could bolt onto my future runabout.
[ 08-08-2003, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: Tom Lathrop ]