History afloat
Classic and antique boats chug into
La Conner for second annual show

by R.W. Clever

History and waterfront is something La Conner has plenty of.

So it made sense that the town’s merchants would eventually get around to creating an event that would capitalize on both – an exhibit of classic old boats.

Coming off the success of last year’s first ever event that featured more than 60 classic and antique vessels, the La Conner Chamber of Commerce is doing it again.

Thus, on Aug. 10-11, the chamber is offering the second edition in what can now be known as the Annual La Conner Vintage and Classic Boat Show. It will be held at the La Conner Marina on the north side of town on Swinomish Slough.

Classic boats from as far away as Portland, Ore., and British Columbia are expected to chart their way toward La Conner and tie up at the marina guest dock at the north end of First Street.

“We really do hope to see this become an annual event,” says Russ Johnson, marina manager and chairman of the chamber committee that organized the boat show.

The applications for entries to the show have been pouring in, says Johnson, and it is looking as though all dock space will be filled.

There will be public tours of the manufacturing facilities at Mirage Boats: La Conner Pier Building and of the haulout and repair facility at La Conner Maritime Services.

The judged boat show will be limited to boats built prior to 1969. Two classifications will be judged. Boats built between 1943 and 1968 inclusive (Classic) and boats built prior to 1943 (Vintage). The judging will also be segregated between trailered boats and in-water boats. Local boat manufactures will also have boats on display.

Even people who aren’t boat owners or boating enthusiasts get a kick out of these beautiful old boats, says Russ Johnson, marina manager and chairman of the chamber committee staging the event.

“These old boats are amazing to see,” said Johnson. “Everybody seemed to enjoy last year’s event.”

More than 6,000 people attended last year’s event and Johnson sees this year’s edition as having potential to draw even more.

There are classic old pleasure boats, fishing boats and work boats. Among this year’s entries will be the tug Reliance, built in 1909.

Not all classics are made of wood. Johnson says an added feature this year’s show will be three “plastic” boats built in La Conner during the 19850s at Skagit Plastics Co. Those boats will be hauled in on trailers.

Johnson said that because of limited dock space the show’s sponsors would have to exercise some “selectivity.” There was room at the marina, waterside, for 44 entries last year, he said. Another 20 boats were exhibited on trailers.

“Some of these owners don’t even want their boats in salt water they’re so careful,” said Johnson.

The criterion for a boat to be entered in the La Conner show is that it be constructed in 1968 or earlier.

Other likely entries include a 1922 Chinook fishing boat and a 1941 yacht of the Monk design.

There will be food booths and picnic tables for family dining as well as souvenir vendors hawking their wares.

The Friday night before the opening of the show, the Swinomish Yacht Club hosts what Johnson calls an “icebreaker” and welcoming dinner for the owners and crews of the classic boats.

Most of the owners will be staying aboard their boats during the show. Visitors will get a chance to actually board and view many of the boats tied up waterside.