2025 Georgetown Wooden Boat Show
By Walter and Jane Hardin
Georgetown, South Carolina was founded in 1729 and is the third oldest city on the water in SC behind Charleston and Beaufort. About 36 years ago, Maritime Museum leaders launched the first Wooden Boat Show to help revitalize the historic downtown waterfront. Being a coastal town the weather can be iffy. To establish a date that had the best chances of being dry. Johnny Weaver said they consulted the Almanac which predicted October to be that month. When looking more closely, the third week of the month was the driest.
The show always has both water and land displays and features boats from small scale models up to large cruisers. Johnny relayed how initially the water displays were low and he received some ribbing from the fellow organizers. They also made a cap for him saying “Dock Master”. He’s been the leader of the show every year since and it has grown exponentially. He now proudly wears his hat for each show.
Historic Georgetown is a true representation of an old southern town. They had a fire about ten years ago that destroyed five waterfront businesses, but they have done a wonderful job of revitalizing the Front Street businesses. It includes lots of wonderful restaurants, shops and the George Hotel. It’s a treat for the senses. Many vendors attend to sell unique items and art. Musicians can be seen and heard playing delightful tunes.
This year was no exception having 26 water displays and 68 on land! They had their largest ever grouping of classic Chris Crafts. There were at least five members of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the ACBS displaying their boats. Three won top awards!
The show was two days, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s attendance estimate was 25,000! Sunday was also busy. The weather was perfect with temperatures in the seventies and low eighties. This show is a great opportunity to get a real taste of Southern Charm in all its glory while displaying your boat. The show also includes boat building competitions. One competition gives teams four hours to build a wooden boat from scratch, then water test it. Another involved high school teams building and racing boats made from recycled materials and racing to buoy in the harbor. Also, the younger kids were making and sailing small boats, trying them out in a kiddie pool. Lots of fun as you might imagine!
Blue Ridge Chapter award winners were:
Roger Bailey with Black Cat for Best Century (100 years or older) with his 1919 rum runner.
Jeff Buckley (aka Captain Nemo) displaying the Scorpio for Most Powerful Inboard.
Debra Leppo, with “Whoop Whoop”, Best Classic Inboard with her 1948 Chris Craft Custom 20’.
Other known Blue Ridge Members included Leigh and Jeannie Hamric with their incredible unrestored “barn find” a 1963 17’ Century Resorter with its original 327 Gray marine engine…… and Walter and Jane Hardin with their new acquisition, a 1956 Chris Craft Capri 19’.
A wonderful time was enjoyed by all!
