Boat Buzz

Your Club wants to plan something exciting - A series of Gatherings of Club Members and their Chris-Craft boats. The Board of Directors now has a Special Events Committee to study possibilities of having these in various parts of the country each year and to begin planning the first such event in 2015.

Now, think of a place that perhaps would be “Over-The-Top” for such a gathering, a place that you may never dream could be possible.

How about Walt Disney World in Orlando? An “In-Water Chris-Craft Antique Boat Show “ at the bran-spanking new Boathouse Restaurant in the Downtown Disney Area with docking facilities for as many Chris-Craft boats as we want to bring, well almost; I’m sure there are limits. But 50 boats would be no problem, and they can accommodate many more if needed (150?), according to the Boathouse owners.

Committee member Donald Ploetner II is presently working with the Boathouse people who will coordinate this with Walt Disney World. But before he can go much further we need your input. A tentative date would be sometime in October. An ideal date may be just before Columbus Day. The plan is to conduct a 3 or 4 day event beginning on Thursday or Friday through Sunday. We think that this venue sounds incredible. What do you think? Sound interesting?

For this to become a reality we need your support. Let us hear from you. If there is enough interest, Don and the committee will begin planning this event in earnest. As with any event, the logistics, activities, accommodations, costs, and reservations will call for a few volunteers.

Chime in here with your support. Let’s do this!


On behalf of:
Special Events Committee,
The Board of Directors
Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club

I think it is a good idea but think somewhere more centrally located would draw more boats.

Jim, this may be true, but this opportunity to have an in-water show in Disney World Florida the same year that the big ACBS International Show will be in Northern Minnesota may be enticing to those who live in that area of the country. The next such event would most definitely be located more centrally.

I think it sounds WONDERFUL!

However, I have to admit that I myself will probably not be attending with or without a boat.

I hope there are enough people willing to commit because it sounds like a lot of fun.

SEE YOU IN TAVARES!

Being from Minnesota, I would be there in a heartbeat, if it was in Jan or Feb. October? Nahhh

Will they be giving a big discount on hotel rooms at Disney?

At this point we are just trying to gauge the interest of our club members in holding such an event. We have entered into negotiations with the Boathouse but are at the point where we soon need to make a commitment. If there is not sufficient interest from members who will bring their boat and/or volunteer their time, then we may have to let this go for now.

Over the last few years it seems like there has been support for such an event and now we can make it happen. All we need is to hear from YOU!

Maybe you could just move Disney to McHenry IL.

Forget McHenry! I don't even boat around here. How about lake of the Ozarks in MO. Or Pickwick in TN. Someplace where you can boat and enjoy it

Jim,

I've spent a lot of time on Pickwick. Have you ever been to the waterfall cove on Pickwick? If you have was it on a holiday weekend? If you haven't its something to see.

I cant bring my cruiser...so I would be out. Now have it at the Mariners Museum where us cruisers can get at it...then im in.

It would be cool to take your boat on that lake, but I can't see myself towing that far. I would need to leave Monday if bringing a boat, and I can't see taking a full week off to go to Florida unless it is during one of the truly cold months.

The venue sounds really great but the fact that you can’t really run your boat, which to me is what it’s all about, takes away from the whole experience. It’s more like an indoor show that’s held outside, I think we can come up with something better than that.
Some real lakes, something off the beaten path that hasn't been done yet, for example, here in the upper state of South Carolina there is Lake Jocassee, non commercial, beautiful clear water, surrounded by mountains and there is great accommodations, if you reserve in advance.
An in water boat show, so-to-speak, and there doesn't even have to be any judging, just a good time with the people that you have something in common with.

I believe that if it was planned well ahead of time...we could have a really good turn out on the Chesapeake somewhere...that way there would be a good mixture of runabouts and cruisers....not to mention its a great halfway point on the east coast.

Ryan, I agree! That region is teaming with Chris-Craft cruisers and is within reasonable driving distance for trailered boats in the region.

The intent is to plan events in various regions for all of our members to have an opportunity to gather as a group. Not only in Central Florida, but in other places as well, such as the Chesapeake Bay region, Michigan, the Atlantic Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, etc.

So your idea for a Club event in your region is not only valid but a could (should) become a reality.

To find a nice marina within a short distance from the Mariners museum would be a great way to host a gathering that could include a few days of events....and could be the east coast rendezvous.

How about a gathering at the Walt Disney Family museum in San Francisco?

Ryan,

We could find a marina near the Mariners.....we are due to have another gathering there....let's work on that.

John Rothert

John in Va.

The latest news on an event at Walt Disney World:
We were advised that considerable construction in the area of the new Boathouse is planned for this summer and into the fall. Access to the area will be limited until after these projects are completed. Although an event will not be possible in October this year, the Boathouse looks forward to hosting a boating event, possibly next year. The committee will continue to keep us advised of future plans for this, as well as other events that are being discussed.

Stay tuned!

I'm with Ryan and John. I couldn't take my cruiser to Florida. I see that option is gone, so look to Virgina, Chesapeake Bay would be great, The Mariner's Museum is on the James River, not too bad a choice. There is a mariner's museum in Deltaville too!

This is exactly how our Boat Buzz Un-Plugged gathering at The Mariners' Museum got started in late 2011. We all met there in December of that year. John in VA had an active role in making that gathering a success. We were treated to an exclusive tour of the Chris-Craft Collection at the Library by Patti Hinson and her crew and many of us did a little research while we were there. That indeed could be the stimulus for another gathering, with boats this time. Find a suitable location in the area and go to work, guys. There's quite a few cruisers in and around the Chesapeake Bay area and up and down the coast. There are also concentrations of members with runabouts in the region. If you guys can find a location that can handle both cruisers and runabouts you might be onto something.

The stimulus that started the PNW Chris-Craft Rendezvous near Seattle was a group of Club members that anchored out together, and were noticed. Now they bring 50 to 100 Chris-Craft cruisers together every year.

I could probably make it to VA.

Wouldn't expect to bring a boat though.

I will see Al Benton at Tavares and we will discuss having another event with the Mariner's Museum.

The last one was really special....Jim Evans, Matt Smith and company, Jim Staib...Al and many others.....real all star team of participants....

will reprise for sure,

AFTER Tavares....which can't come soon enough....we got another 6 inches of snow today....

John in Va.