Bitten by the boat bug

SANDPOINT - The Classic Boat Show will draw people from all over the Northwest to the Sandpoint boardwalk today.

However, instead of a competition based on the boats, the show is more of a reunion of old friends. Those already on the docks on Friday afternoon had a hard time holding conversations for long before they were honked at or called to by fellow boat enthusiasts.

One such participant is John Lenhart of Coeur d'Alene. As he polished his boat, Kate, on Friday afternoon, many people waved, or patted him on the back as they walked by.

"It's a really nice time," Lenhart said.

Lenhart and his wife, Jan, have not always been boat enthusiasts. In fact, until about 10 years ago, they did not even own a boat. However, after his wife decided she liked the looks of tugboats, the two bought a tugboat-look-alike named Lil' Toot.

They began entering the boat in shows, including the Classic Boat Show, where they won the People's Choice Award four out of six times.

At one such show, they began receiving offers to buy their faux-tugboat, and eventually caved in and sold the boat.

By then, however, Lenhart said the pair had caught the bug. The couple bought the boat they currently own, Kate, about five years ago at a Coeur d'Alene boat show. The two noticed a "for sale" sign on the boat, and called the owner.

The owner jetted down to the dock within five minutes, and began to show them the boat.

"My wife asked how much he wanted for it," Lenhart said. "When he told us, she just said, 'We'll take it.' Great negotiating."

The Lenharts love their boat, a Lyman, which is built for navigating rough waters, and therefore, perfect in Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Kate is one of four Lyman boats that will be shown in the Classic Boat Show today. The show runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will include lunch at City Beach. Afterward, there will be a parade of boats up Sand Creek and back.