The Benzie Area Historical Society is offering “Crystal Lake Woodies and Michigan Boatbuilding” at the “boat barn” of local resident Jon Peele on Friday, August 2, 6-8:00 p.m. Guests will be able to view his collection of vintage racing and wooden power boats dating back to the 1930s as well accessories, books, and memorabilia. Peele’s interest and passion for boating began when he was a child summering in Beulah and admired the large inboards made of varnished mahogany on Crystal Lake. As a teenager, he and friends formed a water skiing team that performed at Beulah water events making use of a neighbor’s small Chris Craft. His love for these beautiful crafts has only grown through the years as has his collection, started with his brother Jim.
All of the boats in Peele’s collection have been restored by professional boat restorers with great care taken to restore them to what they looked like when they left their builder’s plant. All have their original engine or an engine built by the same company during the same time period.
Doors open at 6:00, and at 7:00 p.m., Peele will present “Michigan Boat Building” which will highlight Michigan’s role as the epicenter of boat building in our country with companies such as Century in Manistee, Chris Craft and Ventnor.
Ned Edwards will give a brief presentation with photos of the Classic Boats of Crystal Lake, of which there are now about 25, from a 1930 Chris Craft Runabout to a 2015 Grand Craft Utility. These mahogany wood boats were all built in Michigan and many have been restored by highly skilled craftsmen, including Mike Green of Traverse City, who is the great grandson of Chris Smith, founder of Chris Craft. Most of the owners of these boats are members of the Water Wonderland Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, International, of which Ned is a board member and secretary.
The event will be held at Peele’s boat barn located on Center St, Beulah, across from The Granary and behind The Depot. Admission is by donation and will benefit the Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum. For more information, contact the Benzie Area Historical Society at 231.882.5539.
