Donation is One For the Books

by Jeff Stebbins, ACBS President
 

Attention members, we have wonderful news to announce. After a number of months and many conversations with Mary and Ray Keating, owners and distributors of the Real Runabouts books, ACBS and the Keatings signed an historic agreement at the ACBS Annual Meeting in Lake Lanier. Mary Keating, as many of you know, is Bob Speltz’s sister. After Bob’s death, Mary and Ray continued in his footsteps by printing and distributing the Real Runabouts books. After more than ten years of managing the business, the Keatings have decided to retire. The Antique and Classic Boat Society will now become the new owners and distributors of the books and carry on in the footsteps of Mary and Ray. ACBS will purchase their remaining inventory of books and posters. In turn, they will donate the printing plates, all copyrights and trademarks to us.
 

This is exciting news for the Antique and Classic Boat Society and our members alike. As a benefit to our members, we can now sell the books and posters through our Ship’s Stores at a discount. In addition, we have the right to reproduce any and all of the information as it relates to our boating history in our Rudder magazine or any other media for that matter. In accordance with our mission and vision statements, we are preserving one of the most important documents ever compiled for our hobby. On the business side, ACBS will have an additional revenue source for our Ship’s Stores. We will also continue to sell the books as wholesalers as well.
 

This substantial gift from Mary and Ray is cause for great thanks and celebration. On behalf of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and its members, I offer our thanks and grateful appreciation.