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Feb 15, 2008 5:04 pm US/Pacific
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One Tank Trip: Wood Motor Boats
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
If you're into boating, you know that today fiberglass and metal are the choices for building watercraft. You're invited to a show of boats built the classic old way out of wood.
If you own of one of these floating sculptures, you know just savoring their beauty is as much fun as riding in these wooden boats. This was a time when craftsmanship was paramount. Chrome and brass, copper and leather highlighted a sensuous hull of exquisite mahogany. And don't forget the big engine.
Recently, a group of wooden boat owners and admirers gathered at Sacramento's Towe Museum to exchange stories and drool over these survivors. Brian Tormey owns a Chris Craft like this.
"Oh, it's just the beauty of the wood, it sounds just like a Harley when it starts up…it's a floating coffee table, you can see all the work that went into this one. It's just fabulous," said Tormey.
Apache is a 1926 Hackercraft with three cockpits and a 250-horsepower engine. Historian Bruce Adair says it's likely Apache also had a very famous former owner.
"Edsel Ford did own one of these, however, it's not documented but everyone thinks this is Edsel Ford's Hackercraft," said Bruce.
Now restored, Apache is worth about a 100,000.
What ended the era of the wooden boats wasn't so much the cost of acquiring one, it was the cost of keeping one up. You watch for wood rot, or seams opening up. Even nice weather can be a problem. So during the summer they get a little bit too much sun and depending on how much will depend on whether you have to varnish them every year, every two years, or five years.
Today wooden boat prices are through the roof and even hulks are being restored. Paul Shaw remembers owning one of these.
"We had a 46 foot Christcraft Constellation which is a woodie and like you say, it's a lot of work," said Paul.
But maybe it's all worth it. Jim Kearns remembers seeing these woodies on Lake Tahoe when he was a kid.
"I used to watch these things run up and down the beach there. It was a neat boat and i have loved them ever since," said Jim Kearns, wooden boat admirer.
Those wooden boats are on display at the Towe Museum in Sacramento until the end of February.
Towe Museum
2200 Front St., Sacramento
(916) 442-6802
www.ToweAutoMuseum.org
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