The Jr. Craftsman Class was featured at the North Coast Ohio Boat Show this past summer. Model building, restoration, and new boat construction were the three categories represented in this class. There’s also a model pinewood sailboat race and design contest for youngsters from 8 to 19. The winners from the local show then competed in finals in Cleveland, at the Mid-America Sail and Power Boat Show. The race was held in a pool 40’ by 80’ by 18” deep; sailboats race on the 40’ side with wind power supplied by two 4’ farm drying fans. The kids who participated were from the local school system surrounding Vermilion, Ohio, and also from the Vermilion Boy Scout Troop.
 

Jr. Craftsman Program
Bringing kids and old boats together is the reason for the Jr. Craftsman program begun 3 years ago by the North Coast Ohio Chapter. Les Demaline, chairman of the ACBS youth development committee, originated the local program and has been the guiding force ever since.

“The youth program has me really excited,” said Demaline, who has restored six boats himself, starting at the age of 16. Grandson Eric, 11, seems to be following in his footsteps, winning the ACBS Jr. Craftsman Award this year for his work on a 1955 13’ Lyman outboard runabout. His first restoration, a 1950 12’ runabout outboard, has taken first place two years in a row at the Vermilion Ohio Antique Boat Show.

Eric got interested in boat restoration from “helping Grandpa with his boats.” With his grandfather’s direction he stripped, sanded and varnished the plywood hull and mahogany deck, and replaced the floorboards. The results are impressive. Les states “with the guidance of an adult craftsman, any youth that’s interested can get. into restoring.”

This is something that should interest every chapter. As past president Jean Hoffman stated, “(Our) group is growing older and to keep the boats in pristine condition and pass them on to the next generation” we need to get kids involved.