Heartland Classics

History

The Heartland Classic Boat Club is an organization dedicated to the collection, restoration and safe enjoyment of antique and classic boats. Established in 1993, the club now has over 140 members from many of the heartland states including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Participants in chapter activities and eight other members come from an even wider geographic region, including Canada.

Our membership is comprised of both individuals and families with a genuine interest in classic boats. While not all members own a boat, many own one or more classic or antique boats manufactured with wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass hulls by some of yesteryear’s breed of craftsmen. Boats from Chris Craft, Elco, Owens, Higgins, Hacker, Garwood, Dunphy, Pen Yan, Century, Lyman, Riva, Garform, Thompson, and fiberglass classics are well represented among our membership roster.

In 1998, as a result of the club’s growth, the organization became a chapter in the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS), a national association with over 8,000 members and 55 chapters. This affiliation allows our Heartland Classics members to receive an annual subscription to “Rudder”, a quarterly magazine with restoration articles, historic profiles, event news, and a marketplace for antique and classic watercraft and accessories. We also keep members informed with “Mahogany & Chrome”, our award-winning newsletter covering regional events, restoration workshops, and member news.

Heartland Classic events throughout the year include several boating events on various lakes. To open the season during tulip time, a show is held at Garvin Woodland Gardens on Lake Hamilton at Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is a gathering of classics in Wichita in May and a Weekend of Cruisin’ Classics at Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri in June. A day cruise is held on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas in July. The annual judged show and displays are held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake of the Cherokees in September.

Each event allows the public to view a rare collection of classic and antique boats displayed in various settings. These events attract over 60 boats and spectators from as far away as Minnesota and Florida. Many of the participating boats are 40-50 years old with a few much older. Social and educational activities add to the pleasure of being part of this chapter.

The goal of the chapter is to promote the preservation and enjoyment of antique, classic and special interest watercraft of all types, both powered and non-powered by:

• Promoting public display & use of our boats.
• Acting as an information & skill resource.
• Providing social activities to members & families.
• Acting as historical repository for boating related information.
• Providing value with merchandise & service discounts, technical workshops & subject matter experts.

Membership is fun, informational, and all designed to support our love and appreciation of classic boats. You can find out more about us, or how you can become a member, on our Join Us page.

Back to: About Us From the Helm

Officers, Directors and Committee Chairpersons

The Heartland Classic Boat Club is an organization dedicated to the collection, restoration and safe enjoyment of antique and classic boats. Established in 1993, the club now has over 140 members from many of the heartland states including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Participants in chapter activities and eight other members come from an even wider geographic region, including Canada.

Our membership is comprised of both individuals and families with a genuine interest in classic boats. While not all members own a boat, many own one or more classic or antique boats manufactured with wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass hulls by some of yesteryear’s breed of craftsmen. Boats from Chris Craft, Elco, Owens, Higgins, Hacker, Garwood, Dunphy, Pen Yan, Century, Lyman, Riva, Garform, Thompson, and fiberglass classics are well represented among our membership roster.

In 1998, as a result of the club’s growth, the organization became a chapter in the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS), a national association with over 8,000 members and 55 chapters. This affiliation allows our Heartland Classics members to receive an annual subscription to “Rudder”, a quarterly magazine with restoration articles, historic profiles, event news, and a marketplace for antique and classic watercraft and accessories. We also keep members informed with “Mahogany & Chrome”, our award-winning newsletter covering regional events, restoration workshops, and member news.

Heartland Classic events throughout the year include several boating events on various lakes. To open the season during tulip time, a show is held at Garvin Woodland Gardens on Lake Hamilton at Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is a gathering of classics in Wichita in May and a Weekend of Cruisin’ Classics at Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri in June. A day cruise is held on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas in July. The annual judged show and displays are held at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake of the Cherokees in September.

Each event allows the public to view a rare collection of classic and antique boats displayed in various settings. These events attract over 60 boats and spectators from as far away as Minnesota and Florida. Many of the participating boats are 40-50 years old with a few much older. Social and educational activities add to the pleasure of being part of this chapter.

The goal of the chapter is to promote the preservation and enjoyment of antique, classic and special interest watercraft of all types, both powered and non-powered by:

• Promoting public display & use of our boats.
• Acting as an information & skill resource.
• Providing social activities to members & families.
• Acting as historical repository for boating related information.
• Providing value with merchandise & service discounts, technical workshops & subject matter experts.

Membership is fun, informational, and all designed to support our love and appreciation of classic boats. You can find out more about us, or how you can become a member, on our Join Us page.

Back to: About Us From the Helm

Officers, Directors and Committee Chairpersons