The Geneva Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show – by Kurt Rothe

On September 26, 2009, Carol and I had the opportunity to attend the Geneva Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show sponsored by the Blackhawk Chapter of the ACBS and held at the Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin. The weather was good for Fall in Wisconsin – a brisk breeze was blowing out of the east as a big cold front was descending upon Wisconsin from central Canada. There were over 80 boats registered and in the water for the show. It was an impressive array of all antique and classic craft to include the following categories:

Best Iceboat, Best Fiberglass, Best Outboard, Best Contemporary Salon Cruiser, Best Contemporary Lapstrake, Best Classic Lapstrake, Best Classic Utility, Best Classic Runabout, Best Classic Cruiser, Best Antique Runabout, Best Antique Utility, Best Historic, Best Gage Hacker, Best Streblow.

These categories represented the wide variety of classes of craft entered in the show. We found the event to be very well organized and the setting on Geneva at the Abbey Resort was awesome. The ACBS Annual Meeting will be held at this show and site in 2011.

We often talk about getting young people more involved in antique and classic boating. While on the dock, we had the opportunity to meet Andrew Vogeler who entered a 1956 Milocraft Valkyrie named “Got Woodie” in the show. Andrew was 15 years old and I knew that there was a story behind a young person this interested in boat shows. After talking with Andrew, I learned that he purchased the boat when he was 12 and was motivated to restore the boat under the guidance of a friend named Tom Seeger. Needless to say, Andrew was very proud of his restoration project and talked restoration techniques at a level that many older amateur restorers do at the Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival in Tavares. Andrew’s next project will be a wooden 21’ Century Coronado which he has waiting in the wings to start on. His Dad gave up a stall in their garage for Andrew to complete the Milocraft We wished him well as he will need more room to restore the Coronado and we believe that he will find it as he is a very determined young man when it comes to getting things done. Here are a few pictures highlighting the show for you to enjoy –

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The Blackhawk welcoming booth and ships store!

Andrew Vogeler and his boat display!

Andrew's pride and joy - "Got Woody"!

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