The 40th Annual Lake George Rendezvous of the Adirondack Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) will take place at the Lake George Village docks on Saturday, August 24 from 10 am to 4 pm. The rendezvous began in 1974 and was designed as a finale of the summer antique boat competitive and non-competitive shows.  The show is scheduled annually for the 4th weekend of August and it provides a setting for fun and friendship.

The lack of competitive judging at the rendezvous creates an atmosphere of dockside fraternization.  However, exhibitors and participants are asked to vote on boats in the different ACBS categories.  The public also votes for the “People’s Choice” Award.

According to Marsha Smith, president of the Adirondack Chapter, there will be a boat parade starting at 3 pm as well.  As the boats pass the docks, chapter member John Skinner will announce the owner’s name and a brief description of the boat will be given.  “Spectators will get to see the boats in action,” Smith said.

Smith said Joe Sabo plans on displaying his 1945 26-foot U.S. Coast Guard whale boat named  “Geraldine” at the show again this year.  Sabo restored the boat to resemble an antique launch complete with padded seats and a surrey top.  Smith said Sabo has found an even larger version of “Geraldine” that could possibly be a 1912 model.  Sabo has begun restoration on the craft and estimates it will take four to five years to complete.

Smith said there will be boats displayed on land as well.  “There will be a couple of boats we have never seen before including a 1968 13-foot Boston Whaler with a Mercury 35 and a 1951 15-foot Lyman powered by a Johnson 40 hp outboard.  There will be more outboards in the show this year,” Smith said.

According to Smith, a 2002 custom built 29-foot Van Dam owned by Chris Freihofer will be at the show again this year.  “It won the People’s Choice Award last year,” Smith said.  “The oldest boat registered so far is Peter Brothers’ 1914 Consolidated 26-foot launch.”

Smith said the Adirondack Chapter Ship’s Store will be open on shore.  “We’ll have a 40th Anniversary T-shirt available for $20,” she said.  “There will be other vendors on shore as well.  The Adirondack Folk School from Lake Luzerne will have a booth.”

The Mohawk-Hudson Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club (AOMCI) will be displaying an assortment of classic and antique outboard motors as well.  “Club members will be on site to answer any questions.  If you have an old outboard motor, bring a picture of it and the model number so we can identify it for you,” club president Mike Glenn said.

Smith said the “Adironduck” will be in the water at the show again this year.  The “Adironduck” was a small kit-boat built a few years ago by a group of junior-high students under the direction of chapter member Neil Slattery. Chapter members will take turns offering rides in the boat throughout the day.

According to Smith, there will be a Friday night welcome reception at Treasure Cove Resort in Diamond Point and a Saturday night awards dinner at Hall’s Boat Co. in Lake George Village.  Cost for Friday night’s reception is $15 per person and the Saturday banquet is $20 per person.  Both events are open to the public.