A boatload of fun
<p>Bill Boyd, of Coeur d'Alene, stops to check out a 1956 Stan Craft Torpedo Stern Friday during the 38th annual Antique and Classic Boat Society International Boat Show at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Marina Boardwalk.</p>
<p>Jack Beatley, owner of a 26-foot 1929 Hacker Craft, works on the stern pole wiring during the boat show.</p>
<p>Dozens of enthusiast gather on the southern end of the Coeur d'Alene Resort Marina Boardwalk to enjoy the more than 100 classics boats on display.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE-If you missed out on Talk Like a Pirate Day last Thursday, all is not lost: A pirate ship is docked at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Boardwalk this weekend.
Complete with three white masts and a pirate for a captain, the "Wind Spirit" is one of many treats to see at the 38th Antique and Classic Boat Society International Boat Show, which sails on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
"I've always been a character guy," said boat captain Dan Mimmack of Sandpoint. Dressed as "Captain Jack," tricorn hat and all, Mimmack stood in his ship and chatted with showgoers Friday as his shipmate, Brian Kelly of Sandpoint, stood near a treasure chest filled with pirate booty.
The "Wind Spirit" was originally built in the mid-'80s by a grandfather who wanted to create something special for his grandchildren. Mimmack acquired it about two years ago when he found it on Craigslist. It took him two solid months to restore it to its current beauty. The nearly 22-foot ship is a replica of a 17th-century frigate, and operating it is a two-man task.
"It takes a team because he's the accelerator and I'm the steering wheel, so we have to communicate," Mimmack said.
"Docking takes two people," Kelly added.
More than 100 antique, classic and custom-built boats bobbed alongside the Boardwalk while countless people snapped photos and visited with boat owners. Skiffs, cruisers and even a couple canoes are part of the show.
"I like to see the attention to detail that the owners take in restoring them back to what they were originally," said Jo Moncrief of Harrison. She walked the Boardwalk in the sunshine, admiring the entries. "The wood is just beautiful ... I can see a lot of pride of ownership in these boats. They're just beautiful."
Daryl and Carolyn Reynolds of Post Falls stood near the "At Last," their 19-foot, 1936 Chris Craft Custom. Daryl drove the boat on the Spokane River to get to the show. It was basically bare bones when they acquired it, and required major work such as completing the engine, interior, sides and refinishing the decks. As of Friday, it had only been in the water one week.
"It was quite a project for the last nine months," Daryl said. He said they worked on it "just about every day, every night, every waking hour." They documented the process, and the picture story can be viewed in the photo album on the boat. Daryl estimated the restoration to be more than $50,000, with $1,500 in custom screws alone.
Ron Yandt was raised in Coeur d'Alene. He named his 20-foot, 1963 preserved classic runabout the "Uncle Bob" after his uncle who built it at Yandt Boat Works, which used to be where The Resort stands today.
"Most of the boats they built for cabin owners, or homeowners, that lived across the lake, and then the taxi boats," he said. He pointed to the vintage photos in a framed display next to the "Uncle Bob."
"The Navy would come into town for (rest and relaxation) and they could ride in the boat. The boats were also used for transporting Campfire Girls and Girl Scouts over to Sweyolakan and Mica Bay. Boy Scouts, too."
Yandt said the taxi boats could hold up to 30 people, but they were replaced by cruise boats in the '60s.
"Whenever there was a vacant seat when they were ready to leave, I used to jump in and go on a boat ride with them," he said.
Owners and spectators shared stories and memories during Friday's show. Friends Rob Rich, Patrick Shamblin and Don Stuart grew up together in Coeur d'Alene, and reminisced as they jovially wandered the Boardwalk.
"When we were kids in the '70s, a lot of this, although not new, was currently operated equipment. People were running this stuff all the time," Rich said. "It's all gone. Fast-forward 30, 40 years later, and here it is, beautifully restored. The draw is getting to see something back in service that was used all the time."
The boat show features reproductions, restorations and originals, such as the bright red and white vintage '49 "Miller Time" or the boisterous replica of the "Miss Detroit III," which won the 1918 Gold Cup. Each entry is unique, and show attendees can vote on their favorite. The People's Choice Award will be announced this evening at The Resort.