A “Baby Gar” owned by David Bortner of Mound, Minn. was a hands-down favorite of visitors at the 18th annual Minocqua Antique Wooden Boat Show held over the weekend on the Lake Minocqua Chain of Lakes. Funds from the show support the National MS Society.
Headquartered at the historic Bosacki’s Boat House in downtown Minocqua, the 2009 boat show drew 43 entries for display on water and land, an increase of 10 over the prior year. The finely-crafted boats ranged from a century-old wooden canoe to Bortner’s massive 33-foot Baby Gar.
Built in 1996, the F-31 Baby Gar is a replica of the 1923 Baby Gar built by legendary boat builder and racer Garfield Wood. Bortner’s craft is powered by a 700-horsepower engine whereas the original Baby Gars had Liberty aircraft engines of about 400-500 horsepower.
Other awards presented include:
- Special Recognition – 1930 Dodge Triple Dual, Kimbal and Jeanette Goluska
- Best Pre War “1941” – 1930 Chris Craft 202 Runabout, Jim Gould
- Best Post War “1945” – 1956 Chris Craft, Ralph Marrinson
- Best Century – 1961 Century Coronado, David Bortner
- Best Outboard – 1958 Thompson Johnson 40 hp, David Haugh
Dates for the 2010 show will be July 23-25, according to Al Hanley, the 2009 show co-chairman. Appreciation for the success of this year’s event, he added, goes to various people and supporting businesses including show chairman Gordon H. Moore, Bortner, who is the president of Mahogany Bay, Trig’s Food, Oneida Beverage of Rhinelander and Bosacki’s.
