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Looped
10-23-2001, 09:29 AM
Okay, this one is definitely off the Donzi beaten path but here it goes.

Over the years I have seen this type of “Woody” that I never knew what it was, after doing some searching this weekend I found out that this really cool looking 16’ was made by Garwood. It turns out that Gar Wood was one of the first “racing nuts” to enter the boat performance world with Chris Smith (founder of Chris Craft after building race boats from 1917 – 1921 for Gar Wood ((owner of Miss Detroit Powerboat Association)). From the years of 1921 – 1947 Garwood started his own boat company called Garwood once Chris Smith went off to begin his boat company Chris Craft.

In 1934 a good friend of Gar by the name of Edward Noble (owner of Lifesaver Candy Company) requested to have a small sporty boat made for him and a few of his Millionaire friends that would run these boats on the St. Lawrence River. Gars answer was to come up with this 16’ version of one of Gar’s winning Gentlemans Runabout the “Miss America”. Gar Wood ended up making a dozen of these Speedsters that were sold in the St. Lawrence River area.

One of the “Miss America” boats that ran in the Gentlemans Runabouts Class
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0008.gif


Starting in 1935 to the mid 1940’s the Speedster was one of his production models that were sold to the public. From what I can tell it looks like the lines of the Speedster had changed throughout the 10 years of production.

This was one of the first ones built for the St. Lawrence River group.
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0001.gif

The first years seem to have a semi-barrelback shape to the transom as seen on this one
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0002.jpg


The later years seem to have lost the curves on the side that have more a square look to them as seen on this 1941 Speedster for sale up on Lake George
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0003.gif
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0004.gif


Does any one know if Chris Craft ever made a model that tried to compete with the Speedster model because I thought that I have seen something similar to this with Chris Craft on the side? Over the years I would have figured that some “Replica” companies would have tried to copy this Garwood but I have only found 1 company that makes a fiberglass version that has a Mahogany lamination on the outer skin for an original appearance.

Fletcher Boats Replica Company
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0005.gif
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0006.gif
http://www.donzi.net/photos/cringer0007.gif

Something like one of these could be an awesome project with a lot of patients.

Thanks,
Craig

Greg Riach
10-23-2001, 11:46 AM
Craig

Hacker Boat Co also makes a number of replica wooden runabouts. Check out Wooden Boat Magazine for various ads for these types of boats.
There are a number of smaller custom boat builders in the Finger Lakes area of New York and in the Muskoka area of Ontario Canada. I agree with you that one of these could be a very fun project. If you want to continue this conversation contact me.

Greg

Looped
10-23-2001, 12:39 PM
Greg,
I appreciate the lead on the Wooden Boats Mag. Up on Lake Winnipesaukee the neighbors have 3 of those triple cockpit Chris Crafts that he brings to different shows but I never really got into that styling too much. Every once in a while when I would see something like the Speedster (I just found out that the Century Thunderbolt had the same design) I would get a tingling feeling inside kind of the same as when I see a Donzi Classic. :D

Thanks,
Craig

boldts
10-23-2001, 12:53 PM
Just a tidbit that a local wood boat restorer told me. The rounded tail on these boats was modeled after the backend of our feathered friend the duck. Not sure if it's true, maybe the guy was just funnin with me since I own a fiberglass boat. I have always liked a flat transom vs the new down to the water European look. I also like the view down my bow has my Donzi is laided up for the winter and I need some memory time of the past summer. Yes, I go out to the garage and sit in the boat during the winter.

cummins
10-25-2001, 07:37 AM
Craig,

If you like these boats I strongly recommend a Trip to Clayton, New York. Every 2 years they have what is called race boat regatta. It is by far the best collection of all old race boats you will ever see. People come from everywhere. The museum at Clayton alone is worth the trip. I'm not sure of the date but it is coming up this coming summer. I can find out if you want.
Cummins
:D

Looped
10-25-2001, 08:17 AM
cummins,
Sounds like a possible plan, for the past couple of weeks Speedvision has shown a Woody boat show held up in Canada somewhere that looked pretty wild.

Just if the Barrett Jackson Auction had classic boats as part of the auction that would really make a perfect trip out there. Has anyone gone to the BJ Auction before or have plans to go next year?

Thanks,
Craig

boxy
10-25-2001, 08:36 AM
Come on up...
Clayton Antique Raceboat Regatta (http://www.abm.org/calendar/raceboat_regatta.htm)
It's a beautiful part of the world, and I'd be happy to show it to you.

cummins
10-25-2001, 11:16 AM
Craig,

We have one of the best Antique boat shows in the world and we get a ton of Americans every year. It takes place in Gravenhurst every summer. 1.5 hours North of Toronto. It is on the Muskoka lakes that are full of beautiful cottages great water and ton's of donzi’s, as you may know.

Boxy thanks for the Clayton link :D

Looped
10-25-2001, 02:52 PM
cummins,
I think that the show I saw last night was filmed at the Muskoka Antique Boat show. They said something like it is based on Woodys only built right in that area. You must have a rear cockpit one up there called “Adieu” owned by Norm Gavin that is incredible looking.

http://www.nhacbm.org/images/Helicopter-11.JPG

http://www.nhacbm.org/images/Helicopter-14.JPG

The center boat is ADIEU
http://www.nhacbm.org/images/Helicopter-17.JPG

Craig

TRU-JACK
10-25-2001, 03:26 PM
I'm only 20 minutes from the Muskoka boat show, and would be more than happy to accomodate some weary Donzi travellers. ;)

cummins
10-25-2001, 03:59 PM
Party @ Tru-jack's

Craig,

I met Norm at Clayton 2yrs ago great guy he is actually from NY but loves Muskoka. It was his helicopter that speed vision shot the film from.
It is mostly wooden boats at the show Muskoka. Since that area has one of greatest collection in the world it is predominantly Muskoka boats. However we get boats from all over the world. There was a guy last year who has a place on Robert's bay on lake Joseph in Muskoka who hosted a Donzi get together. Seemed like aprox 10-15 boats. I don't know he is.... Does anyone??? Maybe we could make it bigger next year.
Cummins
:D

Looped
10-25-2001, 09:02 PM
cummins,
What type & model is the ADIEU?

Flying the choppers above you on the water is pretty wild. About 4 years ago in the Jay Miller Poker Run down on Cape Cod we had a chopper filming all of us (that year I was running shotgun on a 27’ Baja). The last leg we hit the woods whole current and all of a sudden the bow leaped up and my face went down into the side of the dash (lost my two front teeth & stitches on the chin on that one). After root canals, posts & new porcelain caps I’m better than new but it’s wild having a chopper right above you that seems like you will hit the thing when you get air.

cummins
10-26-2001, 06:44 AM
Craig,

It is a reproduction. I think he has a 350 in it. I can find out for you if you want??If you are going to bite it... you may as well be filmed...you never know if you'll be on TV again :eek: Imagine how the guy's in Hawaii windsurfers feel. I heard the last time Imax filmed these guy's.. they were lunching so high they thought they would hit the chopper :D Cummins

FlatRacer, aka BarrelBack
02-12-2002, 04:52 PM
Craig,

The Chris Craft model you're looking for was the 16' Special Raceboat or, Racing Runabout. Mfg. from 1936-1940.
We have a replica of one, built in Glens Falls, NY in 1995.
Check out www.cutwater.com (http://www.cutwater.com) look for "38 Special" in the picture gallery.
It has a V6 Buick, not a V8. Goes about 55.

Eric.

Sagbay32
02-12-2002, 05:38 PM
Flatracer,
Thank you for the link to cutwater. I love the woodies. I have been to both the Hessel and Bay City, Michigan shows. It sounds like I need to get up to Canada to see some more.

Looped
02-13-2002, 09:15 AM
Eric,

Actually the Chris Craft model that I have been trying to figure out is shown at the beginning and end of the TV show called “Classic Road Show” or something close to that on Speedvision channel or TNN. It’s a stern driven Woody not the bow driven style. That “38 Special” looks more like my neighbors three Chris crafts but they are all triple cockpit ones and much longer. Maybe you have run into him at a Woody boat show because all three of them are show winners that he brings all over the place, his name is Charlie Hoffman.

I think I have already been on every single page on your cutwater site as of a few months ago, cool site!

You can send me over an email with what you are trying to post and I can help you out.

Craig
mailto:Looped18classic@aol.comLooped18classic@aol. com</a>

FlatRacer, aka BarrelBack
02-13-2002, 03:22 PM
Craig,

I'm 99.99% sure Chris Craft never made a model that had a rear cockpit helm. I have however, seen a few larger Chris Crafts that had been reconfigured that way and redecked to resemble the Gold Cup boats of that era. And of course there were the pre-production racers built by Chris Smith ie: Baby Reliance, Miss Minneapolis, Miss Detroit etc., but they were way before the founding of the Chris Craft Boat Co., and did not carry that logo on the side.
I'll have to watch the intro to the show carefully to see if I recognize the boat you're referring to.

RH
02-19-2002, 07:36 AM
Craig, Chris Craft came out with the 16 foot racer model that was designed like the Garwood Speedster except that the single cockpit was placed in front of the engine. It was a barrel stern design and was available from 1936-1941. They made approximately 167 boats in that four year production run and offered them in Red, White and Blue or naturally finished. I have and early 1936 Model with a Hercules 75hp in line 6 cylinder. My boat is all there, just needs restoration. That will be a while, since I just purchased this summers new toy. A 1972 Hornet!

olredalert
02-20-2002, 07:18 PM
Craig,

------Barrett/Jackson is indeed a hoot.I try to go every year,knowing full well that I will in all probability not buy anything.The prices are at least 25% higher at that one auction than any other.
------Its still worth it to me to go.Its a blast!!!!!!!!.......just.......ol red!

Looped
02-21-2002, 08:23 AM
Olredalert,
It would be nice for me to head out there one year to check B/J Auction out. I was just offered a job out there in Scottsdale last night for a permanent position (contracting now) because my branch here is closing down at the beginning of June with nowhere for me to go. I just can’t see myself living in a desert though. The old job hunting starts again…..

RH,
Sounds like you have your hands full for a wee bit. Congrats & good luck with them.

Craig

Greg Guimond
07-27-2011, 09:37 PM
TTT for inspiration...........

FlatRacer, aka BarrelBack
09-01-2011, 02:37 PM
Wow, Greg. You must've been digging deep to find this old thread. I can't believe I've been on the board this long.

Eric

Just Say N20
09-01-2011, 03:34 PM
There is one of these on 7th Lake, that is the red/white/blue version. We were back to the family camp for a week vacation, and I saw this boat out being used almost every day. The owner must be in his mid-80s, and he still uses the boat almost every day. And even though he has sons in their 50s, I have never seen anyone but him drive it.

I will try and find some video I have of it.