Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
On Saturday, September 26th, the members of the Wooden Boat Association (WBA) met at Lake Cypress Springs. The members trailered their antique wooden boats to enjoy a rendezvous on LCS. All members lowered their boats, one at a time, into the lake and proceeded on a single-file boating tour around the lake. The tour ended at The Cove Marina for a lunch meeting and bragging rights. Many of the members travel the country, entering their boats in antique boat competitions.
Below is a sampling of a few boats & pictures
The first boat pictured belongs to Jeff Dils of Plano, Texas. Built in 1960, this classic Chris-Craft pairs the rich, polished glow of Philippine mahogany with sleek chrome accents, cream-colored upholstery, and the graceful lines of a bygone era. Beneath its vintage good looks lies a powerful 350-cubic-inch small-block engine. Spend a weekend on LCS, and you’ll likely spot Dils cruising by in this beautifully preserved piece of boating history.
John Able is the proud owner of *Prosperity*, a 17-foot 1951 Chris-Craft Special Runabout. With its gleaming mahogany finish, crisp white deck seams, polished chrome fittings, split windshield, and rich red upholstery, the boat reflects the era's timeless craftsmanship. Able personally restored *Prosperity* without assistance from a boat manufacturer or professional repair shop—a remarkable labor of skill and dedication. Over the years, he has exhibited the boat at numerous shows, including the Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance in Seabrook, Texas, and the Heartland Classics Boat Show on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.
The final boat belongs to four close friends—Phil, Craig, Alan and Chris—who joined forces to restore this striking 1965 Century Sabre. One of the last wooden boats manufactured by Century, the carvel-planked classic showcases the bold styling of its era, with a deep mahogany hull, contrasting cream-colored upper body, sweeping black accents, gleaming chrome and a distinctive hardtop. The friends’ craftsmanship has earned the boat considerable recognition: It was named Best in Class at the 2024 Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance in Seabrook, Texas, and received First Place in Class in the People’s Choice judging at the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance.
