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07/09/2019 04:24 PMTake a trip back in time on Saturday, July 13, as 30-plus vintage wooden boats gather at the docks and on the grounds of the Connecticut River Museum to pay homage to the history, prestige, beauty, and engineering of classic wooden boats during the 35th annual Vintage Treasures boat show.
From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Chris Craft, Century, Lyman, Gar Wood, and Elco boats will be on display. Each year the Southern New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society brings together these classic wooden and fiberglass boats from the last century.
“These boats really are a true labor of love,” said Lynn McFarlin, president of the Southern New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. “The upkeep of these boats takes a lot of time and effort. They are like having antique cars. They are constantly being worked on and you need to take special care when you take them out. They rot if not cleaned properly and there is the constant job of replanking, and varnishing. It’s a very expensive hobby.”
McFarlin first became enamored with the sleek lines and smooth surfaces of wooden boats when she was on a first date with a man who took her to his garage to show her his antique boat.
“I just fell in love,” said McFarlin, who later married the man with the antique boat.
“The story of these boats and how they were crafted would go away if we didn’t preserve their beauty and share that with others,” said McFarlin. “Some of the boats that will be on display were used as rumrunners. There is a lot of history here.”
One particularly distinct and stately vessel that will be on hand at this year’s event is Herb Clark’s Valentine, a 50-foot 1929 Elco Flattop, a twin-engine motor yacht often referred to as “the grand old lady of the river”.
“We are beyond excited to have this boat as part of the show and we are very grateful to Herb for bringing it out on display. It is a beautiful example of the craftmanship of these historic boats,” said McFarlin, who encourages everyone to come down to the water, see the boats, take part in the raffle, grab a bite from the Tea Kettle, and enjoy the day. “This is a free event and all are welcome.”
First Selectman Norm Needleman said, “This is another wonderful event that we have here each year that brings visitors to our downtown and celebrates the history of our nautical beginnings. We are lucky to have such a beautiful backdrop for gatherings and events like this and I encourage everyone to come and enjoy.”