From that initial event, the Smith Mountain Lake Antique and Classic Boat Show has grown over the past 17 years, becoming one of the east coast’s premier boating events, usually attracting more than 50 beautiful and rare antique and classic boats. For the past two years, the show has been held at Mariners Landing Resort. This great new venue has attracted an even larger number of antique boating enthusiasts than in the 16 previous shows. Among the 50 boats displayed last year were participants from other parts of Virginia, as well as Ohio, New York, Delaware, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Maryland. Many of these were first-time visitors who had not been to the Lake before. Typically, more that 2500 members of the public are on hand to enjoy the boats and family-oriented activities. 

The Smith Mountain Lake Chapter itself has grown over the past 17 years. There are about 50 antique boats on the Lake, and half that number operate on a regular basis. Others are in restoration, and some members live off the Lake. The original club members were eager to expand their enjoyment of these old boats by becoming affiliated with the international Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) in 1999. The Smith Mountain Lake Chapter today has over has 60 members. There are about 200 ACBS members in Virginia; our parent organization, ACBS, has more than 7000 members, with an estimated 25,000 antique boaters around the world. 

The purpose of the Smith Mountain Lake Chapter is to promote the restoration and preservation of antique and classic boats, and to encourage their participation in antique and classic boating on the Lake. The Chapter has numerous events throughout the year, including cruises, workshops, discussion groups and smaller boat shows. We participated in Celebrate the Lake activities, the Roanoke Boat Show, and similar events that help increase public appreciation of our boating heritage. 

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in antique and classic boating – there is no need to own a boat to become a member. Chapter meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Moneta Public Library, at 7: 00 p.m.  

For more information, contact Chapter president Roger Smith at 540-721- 1888. Our other Chapter officers include vice president Tony Cusumano, and Directors Leigh Conrad, Doug Dodd, Sybil Smith and Tim Weitzel, who is also our 2007 Boat Show Chairman. Toni West is our treasurer, and Linda Dodd, our chapter secretary. Any member or officer would be pleased to talk with you about our Chapter.  And, be sure to visit our web site at www.woodenboats.net.
 

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