Much to the delight of boating enthusiasts who prefer the classic look of varnished mahogany, the 18th annual Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show will be held this Saturday, Aug. 6, on the Naples Causeway.

Hosted by the Mountain View Woodies Classic Boat Club of Maine, which is based in Naples and includes members from many surrounding lakes, spectators will be able to view a rare collection of older models including ChrisCraft, Lyman, Thompson and Riva.

Organizer Jeff Murdock, of Raymond, said all are welcome to attend the event, which takes place over a period of several days with the main public event taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the town dock in Naples.

“We expect about 35 to 40 boats this year,” Murdock said. “People come and see boats they haven’t seen for years. They’ll say, ‘My grandfather had a boat like this.’ It’s just a good time and a great opportunity to see some beautiful antique boats.”

On Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., several boats take part in a floating parade from Brandy Pond under the bridge into Long Lake.

And it’s not too late to sign up to be a part of the show. Murdock said there are usually many who wait until the day of the event to register. “They want to see what the weather will be like,” Murdock said. Registration takes place Saturday from 9 to 9:45 a.m., prior to the 10 a.m. start.

And just because these are old boats, don’t think they can’t match the newer fiberglass models that started taking over the market in the 1970s.

“These boats were the built for speed. Some can go 50-60 mph,” Murdock said of some of the spiffier Riva or ChrisCraft models that incorporated massive inboard engines similar to car engines.

Spectators can also expect to see a range of price points as well. Some boats cost $2,500 while others cost more than $50,000 depending on make and model.

“A lot of people bring them to sell them,” Murdock added.

A CLOSER LOOK

The Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show takes place Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the causeway in Naples. Admission is free.

Jeff Murdock tools around Panther Pond in Raymond in the Lyman.
“I like the look of it. The Lyman has a high freeboard and they
don’t weigh a lot. Plus, it makes a nice sound moving through the
water. You only get that sound on a wooden boat,” he said.
Lifelong Raymond resident Jeff Murdock, organizer of this
Saturday’s Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show in Naples, will
bring his friend, Steve Taylor’s, Lyman wooden boat.
Wooden boats like this Lyman are cherished by enthusiasts these
days. Some wooden boats, like higher-end ChrisCraft and Riva
models, were capable of speeds of 50 mph or faster, according to
Murdock.