Floating Art

Floating Art – That is what I consider many antique and classic boats to be. As a long time member of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS), I have had the pleasure of “getting to know” many wonderful boats. Here are a few of my favorites, photographed on Lake Champlain and in the Thousand Islands.

All of these boats have a story, so it's interesting to ponder their history – who built them originally, who cared for them, and in many cases who saved them from a burn pile?

Both Maddy Sue and Mashnee were purchased as the result of being seen in Wooden Boat Magazine's “Save a Classic” section. Both boats were restored by Darling's Boatworks in Charlotte, VT.

The Mashnee was photographed on her Lake Champlain mooring in 2008; she is a 1902 Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 30 (LOA 46 ½')

Below are two beautiful examples of Chris Craft Barrel Backs on Lake Champlain.

Rosie, a 1903 Lozier launch out early on Lake Champlain. Lozier was an engine manufacturer located in Plattsburgh, NY. Looking for ways to increase sales, they partnered with the Mathews Boat Company out of Ohio to build hulls for their engines. Back in the day, this boat was winterized by removing the engine and then filling the boat with rocks until it sank. Then in the spring, the rocks were removed, the boat floated, and the engine would be re-installed!

Moving over to the Thousand Islands – Pictured here is the popular Herreshoff 12½. These 16 foot sail boats are close to perfection in their design and handling. To this day, they are still a wonderful training boat.

At the other end of the antique boat spectrum is the very impressive 48 foot Pardon Me.

The 1947 Hacker design is so well proportioned that at a distance, it’s hard to see just how big she is. But as one gets closer – wow, she is huge and beautiful. She was built in Alexandria Bay, NY, by Hutchinson Boat Works. Pardon Me was originally powered by a Packard engine that delivered about 1500 hp and used nearly 100 gallons of fuel per hour. (see TI Life Book Review... date).

White Knuckles is a contemporary 22 foot Gar Wood built by the Turcotte brothers in the Adirondacks in 2006. While this is a relatively new boat, to me she still falls under the category of “floating art.” The Turcotte's continue the Gar Wood tradition of quality and elegance, while incorporating some modern building techniques.

The Lindsey Lynn has had a long circuitous route back to the Thousand Islands. Originally built on Hub Island, between Grenell Island and Thousand Island Park, for Grenell Island's Kerr family, she eventually found her way to Jafco Marine in Buffalo, NY, for restoration. The current engine, from another boat, had been scrapped and buried. After that engine was reclaimed and rebuilt, the project was completed. She was put up for sale at Antique Boat America in Clayton, NY.

Lynn McElfresh, from Grenell Island, saw her and convinced her husband Gary, that he needed this boat. Now the Lindsey Lynn lives in the McElfresh boat house, complete with a view of Hub Island.

Built in Clayton by L.E. Fry, The Ark was ten years old when purchased used in 1925. She has been stored in the same boathouse on Grenell Island ever since. This 26 foot launch is a rare example of a historic boat that has never had a major restoration.

One can find endless stories about celebrities and their wonderful boats. Paul Hendrickson, in his biography "Hemingway's Boat," tells a story that will make Lyman enthusiasts smile. He focuses on Pilar, a 38-foot Wheeler built in Brooklyn. About halfway into this Hemingway biography, he describes a handsome sea skiff as it was being towed behind Pilar. "The sea skiff was a Lyman . . . that name instantly meant something in the thirties boating world," Hendrickson explained.

On any given day in the Thousand Islands, you’re likely to see some fantastic examples of “floating art” cruising the River. In addition, there are some great opportunities to see these boats up close in 2025:

• June 20th: 22nd Tall Ships return Brockville, ON, for the Tall Ships Festival.
• July 26th: The Thousand Islands Chapter of the ACBS will hold its annual vintage “user” boat show in Alexandria Bay, NY. This show is unique because the focus is on boats that are often seen cruising the Islands. Plus there are some boats from other regions that venture over for this very casual and enjoyable show.
• August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd: is the annual Antique Boat Museum show in Clayton, NY. Always a nice time with a wide variety of entries. This year's show will spotlight 150 years of Lyman Boatworks.
• September 15th through the 21st: the ACBS will be celebrating its 50th anniversary by hosting the Annual International Boat Show at Clayton's ABM.
• Visit The Thousand Islands Boat Museum, a hands on experience located on the waterfront in Gananoque, ON.

For many of us who enjoy these old boats, it’s partly about nostalgia. A few years back, I discovered an old photo album. In it was a photo of me as a five year old, playing in the River with a toy boat. My mother wrote next to it that “boats are Larry's favorite toys.” I guess they still are . . .

By Larry Asam

Larry Asam has lived in and around Stowe, VT since 1974, and then spent several winters at Snowbird, UT, in his first career as a ski instructor. In the 1990s he started photographing Vermont weddings. Soon couples from around New England discovered his ability to catch the excitement and beauty of their wedding in photographs. By 1997, wedding photography became his full-time occupation, and this continued for almost 15 years. Now his photography is mainly focused on nature, old boats and the people he encounters.

Visit www.RiverGloss.com to see a selection of recent work. Since 2014, Larry and his wife Kym have been part of the Grenell Island community; he is also the current VP for the Thousand Islands chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. Be sure to see Larry's other TI Life articles here .