The Wooden Runabout Company, LLC

Lily, a 1952 18′ Chris-Craft Sportsman, followed up on her Best in Class at Clayton with another Best in Class at Hessel.  In addition to winning best in class, however, she also earned the award for Best Chris-Craft.  Congratulations again to  Chad, Andrea, and Lily Durren.

Chad was kind enough to take my wife and I for a ride through the Les Cheneaux islands on Friday prior to the boat show.

     We spent a lovely August Saturday at the Traverse City boat show sponsered by the Water Wonderland chapter of the ACBS.  Two of our recent restorations were at the show, and both received awards:

Toots, a 1948 Chris-Craft 20′ Custom won the award for best post-war runabout.

The 1959 Century Coronado that we restored won the award for best Century.

To see photos of the restorations of these boats, please visit our current projects page.

Congratulations are again in order to Chad Durren.  Chad’s 1952 18′ Chris-Craft Sportsman, Lily, won Best in Class this past weekend at the Clayton, NY boat show.  If you haven’t seen them yet, you can view pictures of Lily’s restoration in the current projects portion of our website.

Earlier in June we completed the restoration of Toots, a 1948 Chris-Craft 20′ Custom.  Full documentation of the restoration can be seen on our current projects page.  We were very pleased to deliver Toots to her satisfied owner on Lake Leelanau.

Congratulations to Mark Leonard, whose 1959 Century Coronado took home three awards from the Spring Lake Wooden Boat Show this past weekend. Mark earned Best Century, People’s Choice, and the coveted Best in Show. To see more photos of this boat and its restoration at our shop, check out our current projects page.

Ronda Beth was in our shop for some varnish work over the winter.  All brightwork was given several new coats of epifanes.  Kirk Wingard designed and built the custom interior for Ronda Beth almost 15 years ago.  Custom touches include the bird’s eye maple dashboard, built-in storage in front seat backs, 3/4 seat integrated into the decking, and custom grated mahogany floors.

Congratulations are again in order for Chad and Andrea Durren who took home three awards from the Geneva Lake boat show this past weekend.  Their 1952 Chris-Craft 18′ Sportsman was delivered by The Wooden Runabout Co. this spring.  They have brought her to three shows (Traverse City, Hessel, and Lake Geneva) and have come home with 6 awards.  At the Geneva Lake boat show they earned Best in Class, Best Chris-Craft, and People’s Choice.  To view photos of the restoration of Lily or any of the other boats at our shop, simply click on our current projects page.

Congratulations to Ken and Trudi Lautenbach, owners of Trudi, a 1939 Chris-Craft 19′ custom.  They received “Best of Show” at the Penwater boat show in Pentwater Michigan this past weekend.  Photos of the restoration process for this boat can be seen on our current projects page as well as our brokerage page.

Congratulations to Wooden Runabout Co. customers Chad Durren, Mark Leonard, and Jeff Smith, who each showed their boat and took home awards at the Hessel boat show last weekend.

Chad Durren received a first in class (18-19 foot utility) with Lily, his 1952 18′ Chris-Craft Sportsman.  Lily also won first in class (post war utility) at the Traverse City boat show two weeks ago.  Photographs of Lily’s restoration can be seen on our current projects page.

Mark Leonard received  a first in class (21-24 foot utility) with his 1959 Century Coronado.  Photographs of the Century Coronado’s restoration can be seen on our current projects page.

Jeff Smith received a second in class (21-24 foot utility) with his 1953 24′ Chris-Craft Holiday Amazing Grace.  Photograph’s of this restoration can also be seen on our current projects page.

We recently finished the restoration of Lily, a 1952 Chris-Craft 18′ Sportsman.  This boat was remarkably well preserved and during the restoration we were able to utilize the original wood for the hullsides, deck, and all interior wood.  The owner has put together a slideshow detailing the restoration.  Additional photos can be seen on our current projects page.