On Saturday, July 16, the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) will host the annual New England Vintage Boat and Car Auction, an in-person and online event that attracts bidders from across the nation. Some of the featured items available at this year’s auction include a 1961 24 ft. Chris Craft Sportsman, 1968 20 ft. Chris Craft Grand Prix, and 1947 22 ft. Goodhue Race Boat.
According to NHBM Executive Director Martha Cummings, each of these boats possesses a unique backstory. “The Goodhue is a one-of-a-kind racer built by the Goodhue Boatyard in Quincy, MA just after World War II,” she said. “It was originally powered by a V-12 fighter aircraft engine with the specific goal to beat bandleader and Gold Cup racer Guy Lombardo.
The Chris Craft Grand Prix, referred to as ‘Heavenly,’ is one of the last mahogany runabouts built by Chris Craft before they switched exclusively to fiberglass. Of the 32 Grand Prix boats built, just 8 had the powerful 427 V8 engine. “This boat is in exceptional condition and is one of the finest Grand Prix models in the country,” said NHBM Auction Co-Chair Betsy Farley.
The Sportsman, described Cummings, is “the perfect classic mahogany boat for big lakes.” “The boat was bought new at Irwin’s Marine in 1961 and has been on Lake Winnipesaukee all its life,” she added.
In addition to vintage boats and cars, the New England Vintage Boat and Car Auction features fiberglass boats, sailboats, canoes, outboard motors, and memorabilia. The auction will be held in-person at the Nick Recreation Center in Wolfeboro and feature a virtual component where people can bid online. Proceeds from the event benefit NHBM’s educational programs and preservation efforts.
Boats and cars will be displayed at the Nick for the general public to view on July 14 and 15 from noon to 5 p.m. An additional preview showing will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 16 followed by live bidding at 10 a.m. Bidder registration is free.
Online bidding begins July 7. Click this link to learn more about the auction, or register as an online bidder.
About NHBM
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM is committed to inspire people of all ages with an understanding of, and appreciation for, the boating heritage of New Hampshire’s fresh waterways. NHBM exhibits, events and programming covers everything from boat charters, boat trips and race boats to canoes, wooden boats, outboard motors, sculling, sailing sunfish, and Lyman and Johnson motors. Some of our hands-on programs take place on Lake Winnipesaukee. NHBM is sponsored in part by Goodhue Boat Company, Eastern Propane and Oil, Stark Creative, KW Lakes and Mountains, Meredith Village Savings Bank and FL Putnam.