PYC Wooden Boat Show 2009

13th Annual PYC Wooden Boat Show Successful Despite Weather



Despite gusts of 40 mph, intermittent rain and cold temperatures, the 13th Annual PYC Wooden Boat Show attracted roughly 38 boats and vendors. Hundreds of area residents and summer visitors enjoyed the show during which the winning entries emerged as follows:

Best of Show and Best Century, respectively, as voted by exhibitors were: "Trudi" a 1939 Chris Craft Custom model owned by Mr. & Mrs. Ken Lautenbach of Spring Lake, and "2nd Century" a 1955 Century Coronado owned by Kevin Piechowiak and Sue Squire of Pentwater. The People's Choice winner was a Ludington's own Michael Sobanski with his handmade canoe. A Best on Grass award was presented to the Jeff Laprad family for their Caledonia Yawl.

Charles Jr, "Chick" Kolinger and his mother Mrs. Donna Kolinger of Pentwater, prorprietors of the Brass Anchor marine supply store and storeage were presented with a special award in recogntition of their life-long support of the PYC Wooden Boat Show. The award was a photograph of the Centry Resorter owned by Chick.

The show is always the last Saturday in August and is open to the public free of charge.

A heartfelt thanks is due to the following folks, some of whom reported for "duty" at the PYC as early at 7:30 a.m. Please forgive me if I have missed someone...

Thanks to all, this was a tremendous event without casualty in very difficult conditions!

Sue Squire
Click on any of the images below to get a full-sized image.
Photos by Kevin Piechowiak, Bill Bluhm, and others.


This 1955 Century Coronado restored by Kevin Piechowiak and owned by he and his wife Sue Squire, of Pentwater, was selected Best Century by fellow exhbitors. The intricate line-work holding the beautiful Italian Riva and other boats in the background was made necessary by winds causing swells in the docking area. Mrs. Lautenbach smiles at husband Ken (in white) while holding their award presented by the PYC Flag offcers behind her. At far left and right are representatives of the Wooden Runabout Company in Holland, who restored the boat. Charles Kolinger Jr. admires an award he and his mother Mrs. Donna Kolinger of Pentwater received in honor of their life-long support of the Pentwater Yacht Club's Wooden Boat Show. The two own and operate Brass Anchor Marine Supply in Pentwater.
Mike Sobanski of Ludington, chats with onlookers admiring his handmade canoe which won the 2009 People's Choice Award. Trudi a 19' 1939 Chris Craft Custom owned by. Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Lautenbach of Spring Lake, was selected as Best of Show by Fellow exhibitors. Front to back: Madison Slane (Flat Rock, MI), Drew Slane (Flat Rock, MI) and Aidan Nolan ( Livonia , MI ), grandchildren** of Eldon and Gary Abraham, of Ludington enjoy the kayak built by their grandfathers. The Abraham brothers entered four kayaks in the 2009 show.
Additional photos by Bill Bluhm are here.