Site Host and Owner: Kevin Mueller email Kevin
Forum Co-Monitor & Event Planner: Becca Smith-Mueller email Becca
Webmaster: Bob Whiteside email Bob
Kevin and Becca live in Northern Illinois..Kevin has a family owned Retail Store on Mainstreet in Rockton called The Gem Shop. “Video” Bob Whiteside is a retired photographer and graphic designer who makes independent videos with associated websites.
Forum Co-Monitor & Event Planner: Becca Smith-Mueller email Becca
Webmaster: Bob Whiteside email Bob
Kevin and Becca live in Northern Illinois..Kevin has a family owned Retail Store on Mainstreet in Rockton called The Gem Shop. “Video” Bob Whiteside is a retired photographer and graphic designer who makes independent videos with associated websites.
Mission Statement
I started this site a number of years ago with the assistance of Kelly Wood to showcase my collection as seen in the Belfry Book. I collected these boats beginning in 1991 because at that time it seemed no one else was doing so. As I began to network with Lee Wangstad, Bryan Fenwick, Del Van Emmerik and others we began to see what truly unique and interesting designs were out there awaiting discovery.
Most of the boats we collect are very rare and were in serious danger of disappearing forever. Wooden boats had a huge following and were supported by many seemingly wealthy people, but the early Fiberglass boats were regarded at the time as about the only thing made in the fifties that wasn't worth anything. It therefore became imperative
“to foster an awareness with the intention of promoting the preservation and restoration of these wonderful craft. “
Today, this website has grown tremendously with the able assistance of Bob Whiteside and we are trying to work towards an ever growing ability to reproduce missing parts to reach our goals.
Having some 25 boats in my collection means that I can go out and grab stuff off of them for duplication in order to assist others on their projects. The flip side is that my own boats which are often missing parts as well are much more easily restored due to the many friends I have made on this site and others over the years.
I see a bright future ahead for our hobby and our ever growing network of friends and many of the boats that were recently in danger of being lost to history forever have now been saved. Other rare pieces are still being discovered all the time and you can help! If you see something out of the ordinary, please take a minute to consider giving it a home, or share it with our hobby by emailing someone or posting a message on one of the many associated message boards!
These rare and fascinating designs are a treasure to be preserved for future generations. They just don't build 'em like they used to!
Most of the boats we collect are very rare and were in serious danger of disappearing forever. Wooden boats had a huge following and were supported by many seemingly wealthy people, but the early Fiberglass boats were regarded at the time as about the only thing made in the fifties that wasn't worth anything. It therefore became imperative
“to foster an awareness with the intention of promoting the preservation and restoration of these wonderful craft. “
Today, this website has grown tremendously with the able assistance of Bob Whiteside and we are trying to work towards an ever growing ability to reproduce missing parts to reach our goals.
Having some 25 boats in my collection means that I can go out and grab stuff off of them for duplication in order to assist others on their projects. The flip side is that my own boats which are often missing parts as well are much more easily restored due to the many friends I have made on this site and others over the years.
I see a bright future ahead for our hobby and our ever growing network of friends and many of the boats that were recently in danger of being lost to history forever have now been saved. Other rare pieces are still being discovered all the time and you can help! If you see something out of the ordinary, please take a minute to consider giving it a home, or share it with our hobby by emailing someone or posting a message on one of the many associated message boards!
These rare and fascinating designs are a treasure to be preserved for future generations. They just don't build 'em like they used to!
