Messing around with boats often includes what to do in bad weather

Here many classic (1943 through 1975 model years) and Antique (model years 1919 through 1942) are coming out to weather the storm on their trailers or to head home. In this posting set, all the photos are courtesy of seabuddy’s friend Vance. (we go back more than 18 years).See if you can spot the boat names and engine brands. It should be fun!

Seabuddy thinks he sees at least a Century, Chris craft, Aristocraft, Higgins, Chris Craft Sea Skiff and others.

Two boats for a chang-able mind?

take your pick!

Taht is a colored stain to make that shade of blue wood.

Chris Craft wanted the two cockpits forward with the engine and its shafting behind them.

They wanted a shorter boat model for a lower price point in their production boat line-up. (boat building was their business, not their hobby, duck hunting was one of their hobbies).

 This is a 1959 Chris Craft with a 283 Chevy V-8 that says Chris Craft on the marine parts like the exhaust manifolds. And this one is a looker.  A super nice looking boat that looks like it has just had a fresh restoration. I would love to have it in my drive way.

Her critical numbers? 18’ 0” down the certerline and 6’ 7” beam (wide) with a weight of about 2,450 lbs on average, before one fill up the 20 inboard gallon gas tank. One of about 63 or 65 built and then the model was dropped because the word got out that she rode so bow high that you just could not see over the bow easily.

Modern Driver adjustable trim tabs (Bennett brand) fix most of this bow high  issue, so all is not lost, if you get a Classic inboard Chris Craft  like this cheap enough or fall in love with a boat as you walk by.

BTW, the Chris Craft Club (and its resources) is the best marque club, and on by its self it may be reason enough to own a Chris Craft …its that good

Chris craft, classic chris craft, chris craft Capri, chevy chris craft, marine engine exhaust manifolds, classic boat

Seabuddy / chris brown has now had one of these newest books for just 10 minutes on boating and Chris Craft boats in his hands to flip through the first few pages.

If you want seabuddy’s recommendation on this new boating book, here it is…get in your order quick!

Wives, friends, and everyone else that want a gift suggestion that will wow someone that you love, get this book!

Get one for your work desk or coffee table at home and make a solid connection with everyone that picks it up for a quick look through.

Just provide a comfortable chair and your new “best friend” looking at this new book will be entranced for as long as you want them to be.  

It is a great read as well as a dominate coffee table book.

Tony Mollica has out done his classic wood boat and boating history book efforts with this one… and he is a top writer on boating. The fact that Chris Craft family member, Chris Smith is right along with Anthony Mollica in presenting this marine book is a definite plus. The resources of the two authors and the photo archives of the Mariner’s Museum and others enrich the fact filled text with a wonderful support system to tell the Chris Craft story.

For instance, the weaving of the Chris Craft and Gar Wood story, as partners and then competitors, in the early boat racing years offers a special sub-story all on its own. Its rememberences and facts such as this one that causes seabuddy / chris brown to look at the book as a much more full experience than the title, Building  Chris – Craft, inside the factories as far too limiting for the material covered.

Format: Hardbound
Pages: 176
Length: 10.875 x 9.25
ISBN-13: 9780760335925
Catalog ID: 147136

Chris Craft built Roamers in Holland, MI until about 1975-76 when the Roamer Boat Division was moved to another Chris Craft plant in Pompano Beach, FL by Dick Genth, then President of Chris Craft. Dick then closed down the division a year or two later because a back–log of unsold yachts. The last Roamer’s made were 74’ by 18’ 3” yachts that weighted over 100,000 lbs. (the 37’ was a 20,000 lb yacht). Genth, a well respected boating industry man, made his mark in boats that were sport boats. These models often took about 55 man hours to build and the 74’ was a “over 25,000 man-hour yacht”. By the way, Bayliner beat out (for top sales) both Wellcraft and Sea Ray later on by getting those man-hours down to only 37 in their most popular models. Genth closed down any boat model over 45’ by 1979, and shifted all of the company to Brandenton, FL and then got G. Dale Murray to buy the company with himself and others, where his friends had gotten Chris Craft a government Industrial Revenue Bond for a new boat plant (the Pompano Beach factory was sold off for residential housing). G. Dale Murray, et al, went bust a few years later.

409 S Talbot St. or 410-745-3081go early to beat the crowd

Fresh, local caught, Rockfish (stripped bass) prepared by the Chef at Ava’s Wine Bar and  Pizza Café on Talbot St. (the main street in St. Miachaels) is the off menu special treat  for visitors and locals Sat-Sun, June 19-20 or until the fisherman’s catch runs out.

I tired to get some Friday, June 18 and had not come in yet. Seabuddy / chris brown chases this special  as its such a treat. I will have to come back on Sat., I guess.

Rockfish with a light Lemom-caper-pecan-butter sauce is just the right preparation to compliment off fresh fish.

For a pre-course, try the Green Bean and Prosciutto salad with Parmesan Cheese and Ponzu Style Dressing or share three of Ma’s Meatballs as a slider with house-made mozzarella.

Short Ribs is a good dinner if you do not want the fish special. Of course, there is also gourmet pizza that made the Café’s reputation, too.

BTW, do not pass up the opportunity to try a small order of the Desert Donuts for a unique treat.

Seabuddy / chris brown thinks the word tapas is used in the USA to mean small plates of wonderful food. You mix and match to make a meal of diverse dishes for a unique dinning experience on the Eastern Shore in the Town of St. Michaels, MD at the Key Lime Cafe.

BTW, I had the most perfect breakfast at the same Key Lime Café on Thursday morning. It has to be the best café for breakfast on the Eastern on Sunday, friendly staff, and good food – its all there at the Key Lime Café.Shore. Open daily, Brunch served Sunday.

Special 3 day Sale on boat rope and yacht line

Any piece of a bus full of rope is for sale on the grounds of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD is going on June 18-20 for a three day special sale offering  to visitors and members  alike to St. Michaels.

Both stock and custom made to a boat owner’s specs in all lengths and thicknesses of line is only going on for the three days at this Father’s Day Weekend Boat Festival.

This is only one of the 11 acres of classic boats and other Festival events to Celebrate Dad’s Day Events.

Bring your special needs for boat and yacht line for on the water fun for the entire family. This is brought to you FREE by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter – ACBS. Held on the not-for-profit Museum grounds that do charge to see their Bay Heritage efforts, the Classic Boat Show and boating Festival events like the Art at Navy Point, and all the boats is free to everyone once you are on the Museum property.

A bus full of Rope

The place to browse and shop after looking at the 11 acres of classic boats and other Festival events going on June 18-20 in St Michaels, MD on the grounds and in the buildings of  the  Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. 

They say…No trip to St. Michaels is complete without a visit to Chesapeake Bay Outfitters, specializing in casual Eastern Shore lifestyle apparel and footwear and catering to visitors and locals alike for over 30 years.

You’ll find an outstanding selection of family footwear, men’s and women’s sportswear and resortwear, fun accessories and St. Michaels Tees & Sweatshirts. Featured casual apparel brands include Fresh Produce, Tommy Bahama, Southern Tide, Columbia Sportswear, Woolrich, Royal Robbins, and the area’s largest collection of Life Is Good.

Boutique lines include Elizabeth McKay, Skirtin’ Around, Jennifer Reale, and Lilla P.

Have you seen our Bunnies By The Bay line? Absolutely adorable infant wear and wonderful gifts for the new Baby.

Chesapeake Bay Outfitters is the area’s premier location for boat shoes and water friendly styles by Sperry Topsider, Sebago, Teva, and Keen. Other quality brands include Born, Clarks, FitFlops, Jack Rogers, Mephisto, Merrell, Naot, Olukai, Privo, Rieker, Sofft, SoftSpots, Tkees & UGG…

telephone 410-745-31007 and on the maine street of St. Michaels.

Seabuddy / chris brown says they stocked the best boating shirt  I ever owned. Great service and lots of stuff.

410-745-3107

closess slips to the Boat Festival

Give the yard a telephone call if you need a slip for the June 18 – 20 Classic Boat Festival. They have just a few openings left. 410-745-2929.

Higgins Yacht Yard is the last full-service boatyard in the town of St. Michaels. Located at the foot of Carpenter Street on the harbor front, adjacent to the Two Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast and the Cygnet Cottage vacation rental.

Transient slips are available at competitive prices and the location is superb!

Only two blocks to town center, one block to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (closest marina to the Chesapeake Bay Maritine Museum), and one block to most harbor front restaurants.

Note: the best weather channel TV is just a block up the street inside the “c” street bar0 (corner of the main drag and carpenter street). If TV is not on the weather channel, ask they get it up  for you, as a boater) on their wide screen TV.

On the right as one comes into town

Short Ribs for dinner, upscale Pizza for lunch (try the fresh Arugula on top of yours) or pick other items from a great menu, wine and beer anytime and do not leave without trying the special “donut style” light desert.

That is good eating in St. Michaels.

 There is outside, covered patio dining (pictured), sit at the inside bar area, or try the dinning room also inside, all are your choices here as well as outstanding food.

Parking back through here

Follow the alley pictured between the buildings for that special, for St. Michaels treat; private, off street parking.

Avas is on the main drag coming into town. 410-745-3081.

Avas is a short walk from the town Marina. No reservations and its very friendly but busy. Go early and Smile when you do. No kidding, say seabuddy sent you.

Did seabuddy / chris brown say not to miss the light desert “donut style”?

Avas own off street parking

Covered, outside patio drinking and dinning