Member Boats: Contemporary
Boats presently or previously owned by members of the Heartland Classics Chapter.
The Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) has designated age classifications which include boats of all hull material and purposes. Although well known for wooden pleasure craft of the mid 20th century, the members’ appreciation of historic craftsmanship and styling blended with the purposeful utilitarian use of all vessels leads our members to be guardians of all types and ages of watercraft.
Free Spirit
1996 Hacker Craft Double Cockpit 26′ “Free Spirit” owned by Forrest & Kally Bryant
Free Spirit was first delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Williams at Lake George, NY on 2/26/1997. Kally and I purchased the boat from Mrs. Williams (92 years old) on 8/10/2006.
Free Spirit’s original name was “Gums” as Mr. Williams was a Periodontist. Her hull material is triple plank mahogany. In 2011 we discovered that Free Spirit was one of those Hackers built with ash frames, keels and chines. They were retaining moisture and there was some wood rot. A new bottom was built and installed by the Hacker Factory featuring a triple plank west system. She got new varnish inside and out, all chrome was polished and a new interior was installed. She also got a new mahogany banjo steering wheel and a second bilge pump was added. The restoration was completed in 2012. We also purchased a 2012 all aluminum Loadmaster tandem trailer.
She is a great, smooth riding boat that has an excellent sound out the dual exhaust. She can easily carry eight passengers.
We named her “Free Spirit” because that’s the feeling you get when you’re up to cruise speed with the wind in your face and hair blowing – you are a Free Spirit with no worries in the world. You’re as free as a bird. Just you, nature, and the cool blue waters of the lake with a white foamy wake spreading out in back of the transom.
Life is Truly Good!
Volt
2001 Home Built Electric 1902 Launch replica 16′ “Volt Launcher” owned by Dick & Janet Baner
2001 Home Built Electric 1902 Launch replica 16′ “Volt Launcher” owned by Dick & Janet Baner
Name: VOLT
Owner: Dick Baner, Eureak, IL
Last year (2014) I finished the wooden picnic launch that is a 50% version of a picnic launch operated by my Grandfather in the early 1900’s at New Boston, IL. The name of this boat is “VOLT” as it is electric powered.
Sweet Mary
2007 Grand Craft Luxury Sport 24 “Sweet Mary” owned by John and Mary Schurman.
Sweet Mary is located around point marker 18 on Table Rock Lake. This boat gets used as a “daily driver”.
Great boat with classic design, modern technology, and wood boat sound.