The elegance of classic wooden motorboats

Conor Knighton takes us on a ride aboard some classic wooden motorboats, whose sleek lines and elegant fixtures hark back to a golden era of maritime recreation.

[mikepowell]

Many years ago I bought a 16ft wooden boat built as a final examination piece by apprentices at the Royal Navy boat shed in Portsmouth during the 1920s. One we’d sorted it out, including taking off seven different colours of badly-applied and patchy paint we varnished her, polished the gunmetal fittings and rigged her as a cat-boat. There’s something very special about a varnished, well-found wooden boat, whether power or sail. The boat at 0.50 is simply beautiful - as are the rest. A joy to watch.

[joewoodchuck]

Im an old geezer who likes leather and wood. That there are still people maintaining and building wood boats is fantastic.

[Chr.U.Cas]

👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Since childhood I am a fan of those gorgeous looking mahogany boats.

[Motorcyclewindtherapy]

Cool history! My dad had an old Chris Craft speed boat that he always planned to restore. Sadly, he passed away and it somehow got lost in the family cleaning out stuff. They sure look special, and each one beautiful.

[MikeHK]

When a wooden boat show came to our lake (Lake Chatuge Hiawassee Georgia) and I saw my first Gar Wood (Miss America) up close I was stunned. What a work of art. Still a 110 MPH plus boat. Twin 454s in the original engine exhaust configuration. The current owner did it justice. it has been on TV many times since. It's love for these boats. I grew up with them. My first was a 15 foot wooden dory. What a great boat. Leaked everywhere but we loved it. Thanks for the video.

[MikeBrown-exnh]

I remember my great uncle George's wooden boat back when I was growing up in the fifties and early sixties. I liked it then, even at a young age. I also remember getting all scratched up falling into his hedge when learning to ride a bicycle. I like videos that bring back old memories.

[lorithorpe]

Oh wow, they look beautiful, i love the look of Chris craft .

[StubProductions]

Great program! Here's to Michigan!

[moffatt]

I’ll always remember with real fondness Holidays in the 80’s on the Norfolk Broads UK on a wooden motor cruiser with a petrol engine, the smell of the wood and fuel combined and the sound of the engine burbling as you glide along at a gentle 3mph or 5mph at times. It was a open cockpit so you heard all of the peace and quiet of birds/water and water rushes as they move to your wash. Even in the cold of a morning with condensation on the inside of the boat sometimes. It was a amazing experience seeing mists on the water slowly lift as the sun woke up, swans gliding along beside you and even getting in the boat too. The Norfolk Broads are beautiful and can say was best Holidays have ever had and that wooden boat made it so special.

[rander]

Beautiful boats. So-o much work to keep them that way.

[ernestpaul]

Summertime at Lake George NY in the Sixties as a little boy drooling over all the Chris Craft and Hacker boats on the water. It wasn't just the sight of them, the sound and smell was unique.

[markcarey]

Beautiful boats. That movie sure did them all a favour if that's what inspired people to get them going again. I remember the scene, and being impressed by the rumble of the motor and those sleek wood lines.

[greyarea]

Nothing rides like a woodies. I had a 64 Trojan 36. Loved it over my glass boats

[johnlarsen]

My family had a 27 ft ELCO. It was built in 1935
It was a lot of work for sure. But it was worth ever minute. Double blanked mahogany hard to beat.

[trevorhart]

I live in HURLEY, Berkshire UK. Our local boat builder has produced these craft for decades. The main market is the USA. They are elegant and Very Expensive.

[fatboyrowing]

My great uncle Al Card built such boats on Lake Chautauqua in NY state. I’m too young to remember

[michaelsorrentino]

Guy Lumbardo the big band leader in LongIsland had a sweet wood boat.Called Tempo!!

[georgemallory]

My God, 0:48 is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen.

[mikepierce]

In my home town 1 summer man has wood speed boat exactly like that 1. Small town winter harbor maine and the owner owned 76rs for long time and signed Dr j. They also have ten sailboats small ones the rich summer kids race they get redone every year look beautiful. My friend his family had line of boats Backman! Danny older now but built every lobster boat he has had 39 and 44 . Got windshield wipers like a car..

[PifflePrattle]

The name reminded me of Chris Kraft the famous NASA mission controller.
His full name was Christopher Columbus Kraft.