The dark, ominous clouds eventually gave way to clear blue skies and the menacing rains held off until another day, thanks to the "Great Skipper" in the sky.

Consequently, it allowed the 33rd annual Antique and Classic Boat Show, sponsored by both the North Coast Ohio Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat and Portage Lakes Historical societies, to successfully complete another run at the docks of the Olde Harbor Inn and Hook Line and Drinkers restaurants on Portage Lakes Drive in Coventry.

Examining the field
Thirty-eight antique, classic and contemporary boats flaunted their "stuff" to nautical fans for six hours June 28 and in the end, 17 skippers cruised away with 23 honors. If you can't differentiate among historical, antique or classic boats, the good folks at the Antique and classic Boat Society, Inc. defines them for you. A historical boat is any boat built before 1918. An antique was built between 1919 and 1942 inclusive. A classic boat is one built between 1943 and 1975 inclusive. Contemporaries are wooden boats built after 1975.

At an awards dinner, held at the Turkeyfoot Island clubhouse, more than 100 gathered to pay tribute to the winners. But first they feasted on prime rib, baked chicken, boiled potatoes, fresh green beans with sautéed onion, rolls, salad and a variety of deserts. All were created especially for the occasion by professional chefs, Eric and Julie West of Portage Lakes, owners of West's Mogadore Country Club.

The Winners
Cruising away with top honors in the “Less Than 20 ft. Outboard Class,” was first place winner Joan Kinkopt of Medina with her 18 ft, 1956 Lyman Runabout. Second and third place went respectively to Tim Rash of North Royalton and Richard Miskala of Brunswick. Rash's entry was named, Edsel's Twin, a 16 ft., 1969 Pen Yan Sea King Outboard with twin 30 HP engines. Miskala's entry was an 18 ft., 1961 Lyman Runabout.

The “Under 20 ft. Utility Class” also saw three winners. First place was won by Gary Kosiba of Canal Fulton for his entry of a 16 ft., 1946 Garwood Ensign named, Gem. Bob and Ann Susick of Akron took second place with Class of ‘61, an 18 ft., 1961 Lyman. Third place went to Byron Kruger of Portage Lakes for his 18 ft., 1964 Chris Craft Super Sport.

Two 19 ft., 1948 red and white Chris Craft Racing Runabouts won awards in the “Classic Runabout Class.” First place was won by Denny Naylon of Put-In-Bay for Last Dance. Second place went to Tom Pryor of Michigan for his Starlight entry.

First place awards only were presented in the next four categories. One couple captured top honors in the “Over 20 ft. Utility Class” and the “Marquee Award” in the “Most Original/Best Preserved” category. They were Matt and Sandy Neidert of Portage Lakes for their entry of a 20 ft., 1963 Chris Craft Holiday named, Gigi.

Bill Price of Green took first place with a 15 ft. Chesapeake rowboat built from a kit in the “Non-powered Class.” First place in the “Non-Wood Class” went to Tin Can, an 18 ft., 1955 Crestliner owned by Matt Belfi of Columbia Station. In the “Contemporary Class,” first spot went to Got Mahogany, a 15 ft. Mahogany Launch owned and designed by John Blazey of Cleveland.

First place in 'The People's Choice' award was won by Sleek Antique, a 15 ft., 1950 Century Imperial owned by Lyn Egert of Portage Lakes and shown by Terry Egert, Jr. Second place went to John Blazey of Cleveland. His self-designed entry, Got Mahogany, was a double winner. Eric and Julie West of Portage Lakes captured third place and, along with winning the “Best Antique Runabout” award for their Gad-A-Bout, a 29 ft., 1928 Hacker Dolphin Triple, also became a two-time winner.

Other “Marquee Awards” were also presented. Bob and Ann Susick also became a two time winner with their Class of '61 for the “Best Lyman” award. The
“Best Century” boat went to Nightmare, a 16 ft., 1958 Century Resorter owned by Joe Nemes of Akron and the “Most Unique Craft” award went to Jerry Welch of Akron for his 1957 Circ-Craft Saver 7-D entry.

Besides first place in the “Classic Runabout Class,” Denny Naylon of Put-In-Bay also captured the “Best Chris Craft” award and the “Judges Award for Best of Show” for Last Dance.

Finally, the coveted “Ned Morhman Memorial Trophy” went to Lynne Blinco of Portage Lakes for her 17 ft. 1946 Chris Craft Sportsman entry named, Caddy. The sleek, pristine conditioned boat was once owned by her grandmother and in accepting the trophy, paid an emotional tribute to her beloved ancestor.

Thanks to the hosts
Thirty-eight boats from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan, including 12 first time entries, were displayed. Walt Stashkiw of Portage Lakes, the chairman for this annual event, extends a special thanks to Ron Leyland and Terri Dragon of Hook, Line and Drinkers Restaurant and Steve Burroughs of the Olde Harbor Inn for sacrificing 55 dock spaces to make the show possible.
 
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