Antique Wooden Boats Coming
to Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO. – Some of the world's most rare and stunning classic boats will be on display Sept. 16-17 at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks. The display will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days at the marina at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Golf Club, Marina & Indoor Waterpark, Osage Beach. It
is part of the Antique & Classic Boat Society's 30th anniversary celebration and fourth International Boat Show.

"We expect a fleet of 75-100 exquisitely varnished mahogany and chrome runabouts from across the nation and also from Canada and Europe at this boat show," says John Watkins of the ACBS' Heartland Classics chapter, host of the Lake of the Ozarks event. As many as 400 ACBS members are expected to attend the pre-show meeting, Sept. 12-15, and more than 2,000 visitors are expected to view the vintage boats.

Watkins says that the 7,700-member ACBS, based in Clayton, N.Y., was founded in 1975 to share knowledge and awareness about antique and classic boats. Members' boats date from the early 1920s through 1968, and some classic fiberglass models from 1968-72 also are included. "These boats can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $400,000," Watkins notes.

Of special interest at the show will be Rivas boats made in the late 1950s to early 1960s in Sornico, Italy. "These are some of the most beautiful and most expensive wooden boats in the world," Watkins says. "There probably are less than 50 of them in the U.S. and we'll have two or three at the show." In addition, visitors will see numerous Chris Craft boats including four very rare Cobra models built in 1955. "We'll have several Garwoods which are very rare and popular with very pretty lines," Watkins says. "They always get a lot of attention." Hackers from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as models made since the company was started up again a decade ago, also will be displayed. Many best-in-show winners from regional boat shows also are expected, Watkins adds. "The oldest boat coming will be a 1929 Chris Craft that will look brand new," he says. "People spend thousands of hours restoring classic boats they find in derelict condition in sheds or barns."

Also on display will be a rare and valuable collection of miniature outboard motors and scale-model 1930-1957 Chris Craft boats owned by Heartland member Bob Willcox of Tulsa.

The group is coming to the Lake of the Ozarks for its scenic beauty and central location. "We want to bring as many people from the four corners of the country as possible," Watkins says. "Also people are familiar with the Tan-Tar-A name."

Scott Doonan, sales manager at Tan-Tar-A, says, "We are really excited about hosting the ACBS International Boat Show & Annual Meeting and we hope this will be the best show they have ever had. Traditionally this show has been based on the coasts, so it will be fun for us to have people traveling here
from all over the U.S. to experience our resort and all the great things the Lake has to offer."

Watkins encourages the public to come see these amazing boats and talk with their owners. "There's so much history in these beautiful boats," he says. "I always tell people, 'go-fast' boats look good going fast but these antique boats look great sitting still. It's going to be a wonderful display and we're pleased to be coming to central Missouri."

Admission fee for the boat show will be $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, or free for children under age 12.

For more information about the Antique & Classic Boat Society and the fourth annual International Boat Show, visit www.acbs.org or contact John Watkins at 501-920-3825 or jwatki@alltel.net. And to find out more about Lake-area lodging, dining, shopping, attractions and events, contact the Lake of the
Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com.