Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show

The Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show is brought to you by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce.

 2013 Boat Show Invitation to Exhibitors

       2013 Calendar of Events - coming soon

The 2012 Antique & Classic Boat Show is Officially Sponsored by: M&T Bank (315.685.3076)


Admiral Level Sponsor: Katz's Marine (973.663.3214), Summit Auto (315.258.2000)

Commodore Level Sponsors: The Sherwood Inn (315.685.3405); Mirbeau Inn and Spa (315.685.5006)

Captain Level Sponsors: Doug's Fish Fry "People's Choice Sponsor" (315.685.3288); Hagerty Classic Marine Insurance (800.762.2628); The Sailboat Shop (315.685.7558)

Commander Level Sponsors: Adams and Son Insurance; Bluewater Grill; cate&sally; Johnny Angels Heavenly Burgers; John's Body Shop; Menter, Rudin & Trivelpiece, P.C.; Mid-Lakes Navigation; Realty USA; Smiles of Skaneateles; The Slottje Family; Wirth's Automotive

Media Sponsors: Group M Communications; Time Warner Cable; Scotsman Press; Skaneateles Journal; WRVO Radio

Friends of the Boat Show: CVS & Kinney Drugs; Jerome Fire Equipment; Merry-Go-Round Playhouse; NYS Parks and Recreation Boat Patrol; Onondaga Beverage; Onondaga City Sheriff’s Department; Sea Scouts; Skaneateles Country Club; Skaneateles Historical Society; Skaneateles Police, Fire, DPW and Recreation Departments; the Village and Town of Skaneateles

The Antique and Classic Boat Show, the 18th year of the Show in Skaneateles, NY!

Sparkling clean water - gleaming classic mahogany boats - beautifully restored antique wooden boats - live music filling the air, a feeling of yesteryear....join us for the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show, July 27, 28, and 29, 2012.

THE MOVIES COME TO SKANEATELES AT THIS YEAR'S BOAT SHOW with the boats from "On Golden Pond." Fonda and Hepburn (aka Ric and Wendy Fetridge), playing Norman and Ethel Thayer, will reunite with two of the vintage boats from "On Golden Pond" at the Antique and Classic Boat Show July 27-29 in Clift Park.

Thayer IV and Mariah, both of which had been out of commission for more than 20 years, will be among the 80+ preserved and restored wooden boats on display. They will be docked adjacent to the gazebo, where the sidewalk meets the seawall. In a tent nearby, "On Golden Pond" will play and memorabilia from the movie will be exhibited, along with documentation on the boats' restoration.

Thayer IV is a 22-foot Chris-Craft Sportsman Utility that was used by the characters to go fishing and into town. Mariah, a black 19-foot Century Raven, portrayed the U.S. Mail boat. The two were bought last year by Seth and Renee Katz, of Hopatcong, N.J., and painstakingly restored at Katz's Marina, in Andover, N.J. They have appeared in just one other show this year, in central Florida.

Antique & Classic boats are on display both in the water and on land. Activities include: 3 concerts, boat parade (3 p.m. Saturday), kids activities on Saturday, shopping, huge raffle, and more. The Syracuse Model Boat Club will have boats on display, and the Skaneateles Historical Society will be hosting historic tours of the Village on Saturday and Sunday. Fun for the whole family. 

Each summer during the last weekend in July, the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society invites wooden boaters from across the United States and Canada to gather at the north end of Skaneateles Lake. Skaneateles Lake is the eastern most of the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York and provides an elegant backdrop for this annual antique wooden boat show. Skaneateles Lake has also been named the one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. Come enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and over 80 antique and classic boats, both on land and in the water.

Boat owners begin arriving in Skaneateles on Friday morning. Many boats are mahogany runabouts manufactured by Chris Craft, Hacker, and Garwood during the early 20th century. Other eye-catching boats in the show will include launches, sailboats, canoes, rowing craft, and race boats - many restored to their original condition. Antique inboard and outboard engines are also frequently displayed by collectors.

Enjoy live music on Friday night at 7:30 by the Skaneateles Community Band, Saturday from Noon to 3 pm by The Chorus of the Finger Lakes (barbershop quartet style!), and Sunday Noon to 3 pm by the Soda Ash Six.

Also, on Saturday and Sunday the Skaneateles Historical Society will be giving guided tours of historic sites around Skaneateles. The tours will be one hour long and be leaving from the Gazebo at 11:00 am, and 12:30 pm. Cost is $10.00 per person and will benefit the Historical Society.

NEW THIS YEAR!  Capture that perfect action shot of your favorite boat from a spot so close you can read ner name as she flies past!  Or just enjoy the spectacle.  Board the tour boat, The Judge Ben Wiles, at 9:00 am on Sunday morning for a one-hour cruise for photographers and spectators.  The Judge will leave from the Mid-Lakes dock in Clift Park and make a slow tour of the north end of Skaneateles Lake while exhibitors boats are invited to make random passes close abeam for action photo opportunities.  The fare is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 13, must be accompanied by an adult.  No reservations are necessary and you can pay on board.  Coffee and pastries will be available.  Mid-Lakes requires a minimum of 20 passengers to cruise.

Half of the boats in the show are docked in the water along the beautiful Skaneateles Village Pier. Placards conveniently mounted on the pier's railing provide visitors with information about each boat. The remaining boats are displayed in Clift Park along the water's edge, next to the Gazebo and park benches, where visitors can touch and appreciate the boats first hand.

Judging of boats takes place on Saturday morning with exhibitors entering their craft in 20 different categories. Visitors to the show also have the opportunity to vote for highly coveted, "People's Choice Award," sponsored by our own Doug’s Fish Fry.  Look for the new permanent People Choice Award on display at Doug's Fish Fry at 8 Jordan Street.

The Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show is truly a family event. An activity designed just for the children takes place in the park between 11 am and 3 pm on Saturday. Kids and adults of all ages will enjoy looking at the antique model boats provided by the Syracuse Model Club. On Saturday afternoon at 3 pm the boats get underway for a parade along the pier and sea wall, and then head out into the lake for a tour of the north end.

The Finger Lakes Chapter is one of 41 chapters in the Antique and Classic Boat Society, an international organization with over 5000 members who are dedicated to the preservation of our wooden boat heritage. The Antique and Classic Boat Show once again has a commemorative poster. It is on sale at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce office at 22 Jordan Street, and First National Gifts at 2 E. Genesee St.  The cost of this year's poster is $10.  

The Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show is organized by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Skaneateles, lodging, dining, and our activities contact Susan Dove at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce at 315-685-0552. For exhibitor information contact Jack Gifford, boat show chaiperson at 315-382-2831. For sponsor information contact Sarah Wiles, boat show co-chair at 315-685-8500.  Reproductions of the photos seen here may be used by the media, and more photos are available upon request from the Chamber of Commerce.

Want to see some photos of boat show's past?  Click here http://smu.gs/NXk8dp