No-Octane: 1. Powered by human muscle, will and ingenuity; 2. Powered by wind; 3. Operated without the use of petroleum products and internal combustion engines.
 

No Octane Regatta for Wooden Boats:
1. Boats races ... for those built primarily of wood or wood fiber; 2. A spirited gathering of boat owners, builders, restorers and spectators who love to use, look at, talk about, marvel at, learn about, and experience the skills, talents, materials, and traditions associated with wooden, or mostly wooden non-machine powered craft.

What do Adirondack Guideboats, and various types of skiffs and canoes all have in common? Come to the 12th Annual No-Octane Regatta to be held on June 14, 15, and 16, 2002 at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, New York to find out.
The No-Octane Regatta was created on 1991 as part of a celebration of the newly reopened boat exhibit “Boats and Boating in the Adirondacks” at the Adirondack Museum as an energetic way to interpret the history of boats and boating in the Adirondacks. The regatta is one of the first events of the boating season and offers something for boaters and non-boaters alike. Jean Hoffman, ACBS President noted, “I have been coming for 4 or 5 years. There are a lot of specialized canoes – old time stuff you never get to see at a powerboat event. The best thing is there’s a lot of camaraderie and hootin’ and hollerin’ at the events.”

Regattas have been a part of Adirondack history for over one hundred years. The region’s best-known gatherings of boats and people for racing, comparing notes on boats, and having fun started in 1880 with the American Canoe Association’s meets on Lake George. Many of the Saturday, June 15th events come from early ACA programs including the hurry-scurry race, the dump race and the jousting competition.

Blue Mountain Lake’s waters and shores provide the backdrop for the Regatta’s races and events. Regatta weekend begins on Friday, June 14th with a free cruise of Raquette Lake aboard the W. W. Durant followed by “Splash into Summer” buffet and an evening of food, drink and fun at Potter’s Resort, Blue Mountain Lake. Reservation required: (518) 352-7311.

On Saturday, June 15th, more serious events include Guideboat Challenges, sailboat and war canoe races, and a Grand Parade of Boats. Events for the light-hearted include classic gunnelling (one person stands on the gunwales and propels the boat by bouncing it up and down), Jousting (in a canoe) and the Dump Race resulting in at least one reluctant dripping participant; spectators are thrilled when the crew of a war canoe pulls a water skier. Sailing races, war canoe and bateaux competitions, and a Father’s Day Special take place during the day. Spectators enjoy watching museum-quality boats in their natural habitat while having the opportunity to mingle and talk with other “boat nuts.”

Events for Sunday, June 16th include The Great Adirondack Guideboat Challenge at 9:30. Simultaneously at Raquette Lake, free guided tours are offered at Great Camp Sagamore from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Then, Sunday afternoon’s activities are centered at the Adirondack Museum where toy boats, built during Saturday’s workshop (or any other time), are featured at the Toy Boat Regatta at 1:00 pm. Next, there is a model boat Regatta at 2:00 pm followed by model boats presented by the Syracuse Model Boat Club.
In addition to wooden boat races and events, Regatta Weekend offers a variety of activities including a community breakfast, the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts Open House, a Street Puppet Theater, a skiff building workshop, a toy boat workshop and toy boat regatta, behind-the-scenes tours, an excursion cruise on Raquette Lake, a tour of Great Camp Sagamore, a chicken barbeque and barn dance, and various demonstrations.
 

The Great Adirondack Guideboat Challenge

It has been said by Adirondack natives that the Adirondack guideboat is the fastest fixed seat traditional boat type in the United States (and maybe Canada for that matter). This statement will again be tested in the fifth annual invitational round-robin tournament that starts at 9:30 am, Sunday on Blue Mountain Lake.

The Great Adirondack Challenge provides an opportunity for selected rowers to experience the difference in speed, handling, and comfort of various types of designed craft. Each participant rows a short course, moving to a different boat for each subsequent race. By the end of the race, each boat will have been rowed once by each racer. The rower with the shortest accumulated time is the winner and the boat with the shortest time is the winning boat.

The Guideboat Challenge includes guideboats – both of traditional and modern construction – and other traditional small craft including St. Lawrence skiffs. The Challenge is an invitational tournament because of time constraints, but everyone is welcome to cheer on rowers.
 

Weekend Skiff
During the weekend, Richard Butz from Hamburg, New York will instruct participants on how to build a weekend skiff. The weekend skiff is a 15’ long craft that can be built as a weekend project by novice boat builders. Its construction details can be found in the book Building the Weekend Skiff by Richard Butz and John Montague, published by Tiller Publishing, St. Michaels, Maryland.

During the workshop, the skiff that will be constructed can be rowed or powered by an outboard motor, and when finished, will comfortably hold three adults. Intended for sheltered waters, it is a stable, dry boat, ideal for fishing or just messing around. It is the kind of boat that was found on every lake and pond in the country. Weighing about 100 pounds, it can be trailered or car topped.

Participants in the workshop will receive kits of materials and instruction to enable them to construct their own skiffs over a day and a half. When the workshop is finished, the boats will be ready to take home to sand, varnish, and paint. No prior boat building experience is needed and all tools and materials to construct the boats will be provided. Adults, and children 10 years and older are encouraged to participate.
The cost of the workshop is $595.00 which includes instruction, hardware and set of oars. Reservations can be made by contacting Lori Sullivan at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY.

Paddle Making Workshop
A paddle making workshop will be held on Saturday, June 15th. Participants will hand make a traditional shaped, cherrywood, one-piece canoe paddle. The class is being taught by Caleb Davis and the cost per person for the class $80.00.
 

To enter a boat, make reservations, sign up for a class, or for more information about the No-Octane Regatta for Wooden Boats please call the Adirondack Museum at 518-352-7311 or visit the museum’s website at www.adkmuseum.org.