Rick Casali

24 posts

Antique Boat Expert and Cheerleader for our River – Peter Mellon

Peter Mellon was the go-to expert on antique and classic boats going back to the late 1990’s, when he founded Antique Boat America and Canada, which lists and brokers these vessels.

"OL BOY" – 1938 Chris Craft 25 Sportsman

Joe Cardamone was a serious fisherman from Utica who owned a 21-foot utility. He fished out of Dingman Point, and wanted a slightly larger boat for the St. Lawrence River . . .

"Riptide IV - 1948 Chris Craft 25 Utility

In the post-WW II era, Chris Craft began to make their boat designs more elegant and, to my eye, classier. Riptide IV, owned by Jane and Kevin Heffron, is one of the nicest examples of this post-war shift at Chris Craft.

FIASCO was held on Wellesley Island

The regatta is known as FIASCO, which is the acronym for Famous International Annual Skiffing Competitive Occurrence.

Queen Elizabeth II & HMY "Britannia"

Lynn McElfresh and Rick Casali's past articles are remembered. Also, Robert and John Street share a lovely movie of the Queen's passage through the Thousand Islands.

Lynn E. McElfresh

Wild Goose – a 1915 40-foot Hutchinson Commuter

The Wild Goose served the Dodge’s as a source of beauty, great pleasure, and practical River transport for over 80 years, and carried members of the family and their guests to many events ranging from births and weddings, to picnics, river tours, and funerals . . .

“Zipper” - A Classic Express Commuter

Zipper was donated to the Antique Boat Museum by the family that owned and operated the Stroh Brewery. She was donated on the condition that Zipper be commissioned and cruised, and not sit inside the museum among the various collections that the ABM exhibits.

"The Orchards" on Grindstone Island

My family was fortunate to have owned "The Orchards" on Grindstone Island.

"Forty Love" Chris Craft 24 Sportsman

Patricia Parry has owned her 1948 Chris Craft 24 Sportsman “Forty Love” for many years -- all filled with great memories.

“Rumba” a “New” 14-foot Runabout

After sitting unfinished for 60 years in a barn near Erie, Pennsylvania, a 14 1/2-foot runabout was launched and christened on the St. Lawrence River.

Getting to the River by Train

Description of travelling to the Thousand Islands by train back in the 40s and 50s. White jackets, smoking cars, even live piano music. Sleeping was an adventure as the train cars swayed, and the sound of the wheels clanging at each grade crossing.