Thanks for the publicity, AGAIN ! It's a hoot to think of my photos and lifestyle going out around the globe. We spent a long weekend at one of our favorite haunts, "Put-In-Bay" on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. Here are some fun shots to share.

Marblehead, Ohio lighthouse. Supposedly the oldest continuoslly operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

A Commanderos work is never done!

A nice XXL Commander from Detroit.

36' Tourn. Fish.

Sweet 27' or 28' Commander that is a long time bay resident.

Feelgood

Cindy @ the helm. 3700 RPM'S @ 17.8 Knots on the GPS (10mph headwind).

A B & B Inn on the west shore of So. Bass. It was built out of the "Benson Ford". This was the first company owned ship of the FoMoCo.

This is the monument to Admiral Oliver Hazzard Perry. The war for the great lakes was won at "The Bay"

This guy runs this amphicar about every Saturday.

Coolest boat in harbor today!

Expert helmanship on display.

These dudes waited for their skipper to park his rig and never budged for 15 or 20 minutes.

Hope you all enjoy these photos. CW

ps. Paul, speaking of projects, I have decided to replace my toerails this winter. This would be a great thread topic. I would love to pick some brains on this one!

Great photos Chris! Put In Bay is a very special place. Here is a photo from the air!


Here is a link for readers who may not know where it is.
http://www.putinbayphotos.com/

As for Oliver Hazard Perry, yes, I've been aboard his flagship, Niagara, preserved at Erie, PA (and aboard the replica that sails the lake now in his honor).

The toe rail would be a good project allright, I've considered doing it too. It would make a BIG difference on my boat, because it's one of the things people look at and they can see there is wear and some damage from years of use. Yes, mine is finsihed bright, but it still shows the fact that it had to be taken down significantly to get rid of most of the flaws. Bruce Martin would be the guy you should talk to, he's done it and to a very high standard. He would be able to give you tips on the cost of lumber, how to fasten, etc. He even had a custom router bit made up to get the same angle of bevel that CC used!!!

Regards, Paul

I've vacationed in this area in years past, and I've never seen so many boats per mile of shoreline, so many marinas, and so many great destination points along the coastline and out on the islands. Thanks for sharing the historical aspects too, very interesting.

Howard

Chris,

This photo you took, is a good looking boat with that 1963 and 64 Ford Galaxie fastback roofline. Very nice.

Tom

Great observation about the roofline. You’re absolutely right about it too! I remember those cars well, because by Grandfather had a small town Ford dealership, and I got to see them and ride in them before anyone else did. I also remember what happened when Grandpa put his foot on the gas! Those things were rocket ships! Yes, those were the days when Ford was literally sweeping the NASCAR tracks with the 427.

Here are a couple photos of the 1964 Galaxie you mentioned



Here’s a 1963 Galaxie, with the same roofline



That model of Chris Craft uses the well established roofline to great advantage! Wow, what a sweet looking boat. Put a pair of 427s in that and you have quite an awesome package.

Paul

...but it's not. The Sports Express has the bulge on the foredeck in front of the windshield, and this one does not. It's a beauty. Looks like the helm station is inside like a runabout?? I'd be interested if anyone can ID this one for sure.

Dave