Local boat show receives national attention

The Big Sky Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society took shape just three short years ago, after the first Big Sky Boat Show enjoyed an impressive turnout and an equally impressive number of participants.

However, with the January/February issue of Classic Boating Magazine, the three-year-old chapter received national attention via a four-page article highlighting the group and it's third boat show, which took place last August.

Both the chapter and the boat show have grown significantly in a relatively short period of time, gaining popularity in both local and regional circles.

At the conclusion of that first show, dubbed the "Rendezvous of the Classics," in August of 2006, 12 charter members had teamed up to form the core of the new organization for classic boat aficionados living and boating in the vicinity of Flathead Lake. Two years later, membership had risen to 36 boats, and as of January 2009 the current membership sits at just under 50 members and boats from Montana, Idaho, Washington, California and Alberta.

With letters and phone calls continuing to come in from those all over the region, the group's board of directors anticipate another climb that could bring the total membership to more than 60.

"We anticipate a huge increase in applications," Big Sky Chapter President Alex Barry said. "We may eventually have to turn some away. After all, this is Flathead Lake, not Coeur d'Alene."

In the Big Sky Chapter's January newsletter, Barry praised the hard work of the members who have helped to build the chapter into what it has become, stating, "We all deserve a pat on the back for working to build a growing chapter that has caught the attention of a national publication in the classic boating world,"

The recent article in Classic Boating Magazine featured 11 pictures of member boats and scenes from the 2008 Big Sky Boat Show, which was themed around the history and 75th anniversary of Stan-Craft boats, since the company began on Flathead Lake.

Although the first two boat shows were held at the North Flathead Yacht Club in Somers, last year's show had the backing of the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce and not one but two new locations, both of which were in Lakeside. Half of the show was held at Waterside Resort, while the other half was located behind the Dock's restaurant, where the show drew its largest crowds to date - more than 1,000 visitors.

The article pointed out that the latest show featured more than 30 antique and classic boats, many of which were actually built in the Flathead Valley by early boat builders like Stan Young of Stan-Craft Boat Company, and Ole Lee of Lee Craft Boat Company.

The 32 boats stationed on the water, included both pre and post World War II era wooden boats including Chris-Craft, Century, Garwood and Hacker vessels. However, that does not include the handcrafted canoes, kayaks and other wooden boats that were built and exhibited by local craftsmen.

The article also gave the Big Sky Chapter an opportunity to showcase some of the boats that are owned and cherished by its members, highlighting individual vessels with both pictures and succinct histories. Among them was the 1937 25' Chris-Craft Deluxe runabout, Seabiscuit, which was named after the most famous racehorse of its time and used on both Swan and Flathead Lakes, currently owned by Jim McGrath.

Other featured boats included a 1935 19' Chris-Craft runabout owned by Herm and Maggie Rowland, who also own the Jelly Belly Candy Company and summer residence near Lakeside on Flathead Lake, and a 1929 26' Showboat, originally owned by former Anaconda Copper Company president Cornelius Kelley and kept on Swan Lake.

While Barry viewed the national recognition as major stepping stone and highlight of the past three years, he stressed that the chapter and boat show have yet to reach their full potential. In fact, a number of outreaches are already being planned to enhance the chapter's relationship with the Flathead Valley as well as it's contribution to the communities of the Flathead.

One of the outreaches currently being considers would come under the umbrella of a newly formed foundation headed by members of Big Sky Chapter. The Wooden Boat Foundation would offer a program for at-risk kids that would endeavor to teach young people accepted into the program the craft of boat building by allowing them to become apprentices. Those who take part in the program would also learn how to work in and be part of a team atmosphere.

As for the boat show, Barry said the chapter recently joined the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce, which will likely become a more integral part of the annual event, helping to expand and promote it as a function that draws a considerable number of people into the community. Barry also felt strongly that corporate sponsors will be needed to fund the show if it remains as big as it has grown to be.

"We can't afford to finance the boat show as a stand alone chapter," Barry said. "We have a $10,000 budget, and that could easily grow. We fed 80 people at last year's banquet, and I can easily see us feeding 100 people this year. The entry fees will not pay for us to feed that many people. We learned, last year, that we've got to have corporate sponsors."

Barry added that an expanded show that would capitalize on some of the suggestions people have made would be determined by raising funds through the corporate sponsorship program, as opposed to depending on participation fees, advertising and the sale of club merchandise.