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Chief Mackinac Takes Best in Show

About three hours before the 10 a.m. start of the Antique Wooden Boat Show at Hessel Saturday, August 9, John Allen prepares to wipe beads of rain off his 1917 boat Chief Mackinac. Hours later, the vessel would be named the 2008 Best of Show, and first in its class. Chief Mackinac, a 1917 Consolidated, returned to Hessel last weekend and captured the 2008 Best of Show and first in her class awards at the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show. The 32-foot launch has spent 87 of her 91 years in Hessel, said owner John Allen, who now keeps the vessel on Gull Lake in Minnesota.

Each of the 140 wooden boats at the show Saturday, August 9, came with a story. Some were rediscovered after years of neglect, buried in dust and hidden in old garages. Others were rescued from backyards, where they lay abandoned beneath trees with wood rotting, while a few have spent their years cutting through the clear, cool Les Cheneaux waters.

The Chief Mackinac is one of the boats whose story contributes to the history and heritage of the region.

At right: Details like stylized lettering that highlight the vessel's name make the 1917 Chief Mackinac unique. Restored a few years ago by Dan and Tom Mertaugh of Classic and Antique Boats of Hessel, the Chief Mackinac has about 99% of her original wood and 95% or her original hardware. Only the wooden floor and motor, said Tom Mertaugh, has changed since she was built.

"You just don't find that in boats anymore," said Mr. Mertaugh; "that just makes it a time capsule."

Mr. Mertaugh was on his way to tell Mr. Allen that since the restoration, he has done further research on the boat. Originally thought to be built in 1918, she actually had to have been built before then, and he estimates 1917. The Chief Mackinac does not have an arrow carved on the side, which became standard in models built in 1918 and later.

The Chief Mackinac sailed around Les Cheneaux into the 1960s, then she was moved into storage, where she remained for more than 35 years until Mr. Allen purchased the boat.

The 2008 boat show opened with members of the Law-White 7958 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post raising the American flag. The National Anthem was sung by Katie Bowlby of Cedarville. Veterans representing World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam conflict are (from left) Rudy Sherlund, Bob Cataline, Charles Markstrom, Art Calven, Norm Windsor, and from the ladies auxiliary, Shirley Cataline. The vessel, said Mr. Allen, remains close to her Minnesota home now. A special air suspension trailer is used to transport her, although with a boat that is almost 100 years old, he prefers to keep her on Gull Lake.

"I had to bring her back" to Hessel, said Mr. Allen, "to what I consider one of the top three shows in the nation."

Best of Show is determined by volunteer judges and Antique and Classic Boat Society members.

More than 6,800 visitors walked the marina docks, ignoring three rain showers during the day-long show. Expecting up to a 20% drop in attendance as a result of high gas prices and the state's weak economic climate, organizers say they were pleased that tallied results indicated only a slight drop of 7.9% from last year's crowd. Sales of sweatshirts were strong, said Boat Show Committee Chair Barb Smith, after the temperature dropped following the second rain storm.

At left: One brave boat owner uses an umbrella as a shield against the hail, heavy rain, and lightning that interrupted the Hessel boat show for about 15 minutes Saturday, August 9. The storm quickly passed, yielding sunny skies. Attendees sought shelter under event tents and buildings before returning to the docks to view the 140 show entries. "We're very, very pleased," she said. "It was just a great show in spite of the weather."

Bittersweet sailed away with three awards. The vessel placed second to Chief Mackinac in Best of Show, received the Jim Bohn People's Choice award, and was named top in her class. The 1958, 32-foot Bittersweet is owned by Michael VanLokeren of Hessel and Boca Grande, Florida.

Spectators cast ballots to name the people's choice.

Bittersweet, said Mr. VanLokeren, was a boat that needed some attention. He and his wife, Mary Ann, bought the vessel shortly after they were married 15 years ago and renamed her.

At left: Following the brief heavy storm, water is cleared from a sidewalk along the breakwall using tops from plastic containers. Mayea Brothers of Fairhaven built the 50-year-old vessel and Mr. VanLokeren hired the company to work on restoring her. She did not need a complete restoration, he said, and she now looks as new as 50 years ago.

Bittersweet has been moored in Harbor Springs and now is moving to a boathouse on Harbor Point Drive in Hessel, where the couple just purchased a home.

Placing third in Best of Show and first in her class was the 1926 Uandi, a 26-foot Hacker owned by Norman and Kelley Betts of Ann Arbor. Two years ago, the vessel won top honors as Best of Show, People's Choice, and she came in second in her class.

The boat first returned to Les Cheneaux in 2006 after a 30-year absence when Dr. Betts, after a 10- year quest, was able to purchase the vessel from owners in upstate New York. The boat had been sold by his family in the 1970s, after having been in the family since the 1940s.

Above: Awaiting show attendees, new Hessel resident Michael VanLokeren has covers up to show off the twin engines of Bittersweet. The 32-foot 1958 vessel earned three awards, including the Jim Bohn People's Choice award. She also was named top in her class and placed second as Best in Show. Uandi was fully restored in the late 1940s after it sank while docked at Mackinac Island when her planks were loosened in heavy seas as she traveled from Les Cheneaux. It was then when the straight six-cylinder, 427 Greymarine engine was added and was covered by a single piece of mahogany.

Two boats that generated much interest from the show audience were far apart in scale.

Retired state Senator Jon Cisky and his wife, Lynn, of Bay City entered their summer home, Mahogany, a 1970, 60-foot wooden yacht. She is considered in the competitive class of vessels 32-feet or more.

The mermaid and the golden fish gracing the bow of the Scallawag drew the attention of boat show onlookers and other registrants. Owner Bill Hankes of Canada Creek sits aboard his homemade 19-foot sailboat. His next project is to learn to sail. "We enjoy the show," said Mr. Cisky. "We don't expect to win. We just come to have fun."

Although Mahogany did not win, Mr. Cisky reconnected with an old friend at the show, former Senator Walter North of St. Ignace. The two men enjoyed reminiscing about their days together in the senate.

"Walt's my buddy," Mr. Cisky said. Working with people in the senate is what he misses since retirement. "We had some wonderful individuals" to work with.

While underway during the summer visiting various ports, Mr. Cisky said he does the "grunt work," all the sanding on the vessel, and his wife, a retired music teacher, does all the varnishing.

Mahogany was the last wooden yacht built by the Matthews Boat Company of Port Clinton, Ohio.

During the winter, the vessel is kept in cold storage while the couple spend time in their Florida home.

At left: Once known as Jack, this 100-year-old Truscott launch was delivered to Dollar Island in 1908, and has never left the Les Cheneaux Islands. Modifications have been made to the decks and seating, while the cypress hull is original. Cedarville resident Mort Pomeroy (left) is the sixth owner of the 21-foot boat, which is now named The Islander. She was built by the T.H. Truscott and Sons Boat Yard in St. Joseph. Show newcomers Bill and Joni Hankes of Canada Creek entered their homemade 19-foot sailboat Scallawag, complete with a handcarved mermaid. The mermaid was carved by a friend in Alabama, where Mr. Hankes began building his sailboat.

Mr. Hankes, a power boat owner, is not a sailor.

"I decided it was time to learn how to sail," said Mr. Hankes. "I wanted to build a boat for years and now that I am retired, I have time to do it."

The boat show was the first time the Scallawag sailed, he said, and that was from the boat launch to the dock where she is moored. The boat made it there, said Mr. Hankes, laughing, with the help of many dock hands.

"Without them," he said, "I'd be dead in the water."

31st Annual Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show Awards

2008 Best of Show

1st: Chief Mackinac, 1917, 32', Consolidated, owned by John and Becky Allen of Gull Lake, Minnesota.

2nd: Bittersweet, 1958, 32', Mayea Brothers, owned by Michael VanLokeren of Hessel and Boca Grande, Florida.

3rd: Uandi, 1926, 26', Hackercraft, owned by Norman and Kelley Betts of Ann Arbor.

2008 Special Awards

Frank Bronson Award for the Best Nonprofessional Restoration

Timbertoes, 1952, 19', Holiday, owned by G. Snider and R. Sonnenberg of Riverview.

Mertaugh Boat Works Best Chris Craft Award

Tradition, 1939, 24', Chris Craft, owned by Rob and Barb Schantz of Grand Rapids.

Arnie Horween Jr. Memorial Skippers Choice Award

Silent Woman, 1959, 17', Chris Craft, owned by Norman and Kelley Betts of Ann Arbor.

Jim Bohn People's Choice Award

Bittersweet, 1958, 32', Mayea Brothers, owned by Michael Van- Lokeren of Hessel and Boca Grande, Florida.

Carl Malmquist Best Boat Name Award

Penny-Les III, 1996, 14', American Trader, owned by Penny Peterman of Springfield, Ohio.

Class 1, Runabouts

up to 16 feet

1st: Awesome, 1941, 16', Chris Craft, owned by Bob and Jacque Flint of Peoria Illinois.

2nd: (no name), 1948, 16', Chris Craft, owned by Gene and Kris Wendt of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin.

Class 2, Runabout 17-18 feet

1st: Geri Lynne, 1951, 18', Chris Craft, owned by Alex and Geri Wieczorek of Dafter.

2nd: Pipe Dream, 1942, 17', Century, owned by Kirk Smith from Owosso.

Class 3, Runabout 19-20 feet 1st: Lady El, 1936, 19'6", Earl Barnes, owned by Mark Andreae from Cincinnati, Ohio.

2nd: Zas-Zu-Zas, 1936, 19', Chris Craft, owned by Tom and Heidi Frye of East Grand Rapids.

Class 4, Runabouts 21-24 feet

1st: Kemosabe, 1934, 21', Chris Craft, owned by Bill and Carolyn Ticknor of Hickory Corners.

2nd: Perchoir, 1929, 24', Chris Craft, owned by Billy Johnson from Cedarville and Sarasota, Florida.

Class 5, Runabouts

25 feet and larger

1st: Uandi, 1926, 26', Hackercraft, owned by Norman and Kelley Betts of Ann Arbor.

2nd: Old Spice, 1930, 26', Chris Craft, owned by Larry and Sally Gathman of Naples, Florida.

Class 6, Utility up to 17 feet

1st: JR, 1968, 15', Century, owned by Chip and Beth VanDam of Grand Rapids.

2nd: LuSea' lle, 1964, 17', Dunphy, owned by Carl and Kathi Curtis of Milford.

Class 7, Utility 18-20 feet

1st: Timbertoes, 1952, 19', Holiday, owned by G. Snider and R. Sonnenberg of Riverview.

2nd: Marsh Wood, 1959, 19', Century, owned by Casey DeHollander of Byron Center.

Class 8 Utility, 22 feet

1st: Great Date, 1948, 22', Chris Craft, owned by Kelly and Liz Boeve from Spring Lake.

2nd: Pretty Girl, 1954, 22', Chris Craft, owned by Mike and Colleen Hamberg of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Class 9 Utility, 21 - 24 feet

1st: Tradition,1939, 24', Chris Craft, owned by Rob and Barb Schantz of Grand Rapids.

2nd: Jennifer Anne, 1938, 21', Chris Craft, owned by Jack Rogers of Grand Rapids.

Class 10 Utility, 25 and larger

1st: Bittersweet, 1958, 32', Mayea Brothers, owned by Michael VanLokeren of Hessel and Boca Grande, Florida.

2nd: Chaz, 1955, 25', Chris Craft, owned by Charles Forberg of Birmingham.

Class 11 Lapstrake Skiff

1st: Herman I, 1934, 18', Lyman, owned by Theodore Haapala of Sault Ste Marie and Cedarville.

2nd: Griffin, 1957, 23', Lyman, owned by Martin Tobin of Miami, Florida and Hessel.

Class 12 Outboard

1st: (no name), 1960, 17', Cruisers Incorporated, owned by Jim and Valerie Hendricks of Holland.

2nd: (no name), 1958, 14', Whirlwind, owned by Hank and Joyce VanderWerp of Hudsonville.

Class 13 Launch

1st: Chief Mackinac, 1917, 32', Consolidated, owned by John and Becky Allen of Gull Lake, Minnesota.

2nd: The Islander, 1908, 12', Truscott, Mort Pomeroy of Cedarville and Tavares, Florida.

Class 14 Sailboat

1st: (no name) 2008, 16' 6", Curtis C. Vaught, owned by Curtis C. Vaught Jr. of Kent, Ohio.

Class 15 Cruiser

1st: Boss, 1921, 42', Great Lakes Boat Company, owned by Janet Carrington of Cedarville and Darien, Connecticut.

2nd: Lady Jocelyn, 1966, 70', Trumpy, owned by Richard Milliat of East Jordan.

Class 16 Canoe / Dinghy

1st: Daniel, 1905, 18', Daniel Neal, owned by Donald Neal of Pontiac.

2nd: (no name), 1936, 16', Richardson, owned by Dale Wingert of Sheboygan Falls.

Class 17 Wooden Replica

1st: Ava K, 2007, 28', Fish Brothers, owned by Craig and Linda Pell of Grand Rapids.

2nd: (no name), 2002, 15', Johnson Woodcraft, Bob Johnson of Traverse City.