Written By JON COURTRIGHT
Photos by CHRIS DENSLOW
It’s a rare opportunity anymore to witness the running of a Vintage Unlimited Hydroplane with either a V-12 Merlin or Allison ‘performing at full song’. It’s a very rare sight, much alone having the chance to observe 4 Vintage Unlimiteds at the same time roaring down a straightaway, as if right out of the 1950s or 60’s. Witnessing something like that is still possible and on Oct. 6th and 7th, such an occasion on beautiful Lake Chelan in Washington State occurred. “Mahogany & Merlot” on Lake Chelan is an APBA Vintage and Antique & Classic Boat Show featuring Vintage race boats and runabouts (Mahogany), while being situated in Washington State’s wine country (Merlot).
Hosted by the Hydroplane And Raceboat Museum (HARM) it showcased five Vintage Unlimiteds, 15 Vintage limited inboards and 35 Antique & Classic Runabouts (ACBS). Support for the event was provided by Seattle Outboard Racing Association (SOA) and the Chelan Chamber of Commerce and the City of Chelan. Calm water and excellent seasonal temperatures, which were in the high 70s reflected in two fun action-packed, free to the public, days on the water
For the last 19 years HARM has brought Vintage Unlimiteds to Lake Chelan the first weekend in October. This year five Vintage Unlimiteds participated in this year’s event including: Miss Bardahl, Miss Thriftway, O’Boy Oberto, Miss Wahoo, and the suitable ‘pin stripped mahogany deck’ of the 1967 Miss Budweiser.
Friday night’s reception and ‘Meet and Greet’ was held at one of the local wineries and served as registration allowing all the groups a chance to get together and talk about wine and boats. Early Saturday morning the ACBS boats took to the water in parade formation with bows running high, which captured a moment reminiscent of the 1930’s. Not long after the hills surrounding this glacier fed tranquil lake sprung to life echoing with the ‘Thunder’ of the big V-12’s. A lot of gasoline is needed, as these thirsty Vintage power plants burn anywhere from eight to 10 gallons of fuel per lap.
Vintage Inboard classes were very well represented that weekend, along with the new recreation of Earl Wham’s H-00 Marion Blue Grass 7-litre of Kirk Rogers. Also joining the Inboard gang was the GP Deep Water Special of John Hucik. Exhibition formats included individual flybys and grouped exhibition flybys. Regardless, of what class of race boat was out on the lake, the action was almost non-stop between the Vintage Unlimiteds and Vintage Inboard Limited Hydroplanes taking turns on the Mahogany & Merlot course. When lunch time was called for the rescue and patrol personnel the ACBS folks got to take advantage of the excellent water conditions for their rides.
Saturday afternoon’s main exhibition consisted of four Vintage Unlimiteds running laps in formation, which again captured a scene from the 1950’s when Lake Chelan played host to the APBA Unlimited Hydroplane race regatta known as the Apple Cup from 1957 to 1960. Fans and spectators enjoyed close up viewing of the Vintage race boats, as they could also conversed with the crews and strolled the Mahogany Row docks for a rare chance to see the Antique and Classic runabouts from Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, Hackercraft, Sheppard, Gravette, Stancraft, Yandt, Century and a special chance to talk to their proud skippers.
Saturday Night’s Awards dinner was held at Campbell’s Resort and was very well attended, expertly decorated and once again a superbly prepared affair. Monty Holms, of Seattle’s Athletic Awards, created and donated some of the most spectacular symbolic Vintage Hydroplane and Antique Runabout table center pieces, which contained a commemorative Mahogany & Merlot engraved bottle of Merlot. These were later auctioned off with proceeds going to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. Guests throughout the weekend got a chance to sample some of Chelan’s best award winning wines.
Sunday again saw exhibition action on the lake from the Vintage Unlimiteds and Vintage Inboards taking turns out on the Mahogany & Merlot Course. After 43 years, Frank and Jeff Schneider launched their Ed Karelsen Calypso Too 280 class that Frank drove in competition in the 1960’s. It was truly a spectacular moment for the Schneider family. More and more Inboard Vintage race boats are being found and restored in the Pacific Northwest. In some cases complete recreations have taken shape, with a lot of them credited to Don Kelson.
For 2013 if you need a Vintage Unlimited adrenalin-rush shot in the arm, plans are underway for the 2013 Mahogany & Merlot on Lake Chelan which is set for Oct. 5th and 6th.
Book early. Contact information is at: www.mahoganyandmerlot.com and you can visit us on Facebook. (however, if you do decide to attend the 2013 event, you might want to bring some ear plugs…)
