Mike Novick’s favorite family heirloom is also his favorite pastime.
As president of Rocky Mountain Classics, the local chapter of the national Antique and Classic Boat Society, this Evergreen resident spends weekends promoting the appreciation and restoration of classic boats.
Today, people who go ga-ga for boats will find Novick cruising Sloan’s Lake in his sleek 1950s wooden boat.
Some formal boat shows include judging categories and prizes. But for this event, Novick and other society members will simply be on hand to answer questions and offer free rides to curious visitors.
“People always want to know how old the boats are, if the engines are original and what sort of maintenance is required,” he says.
Novick owns two classic wooden boats. The first is a 1955 Chris Craft Capri model runabout, a 19-foot boat with two rows of bench seats with enough room for six people.
“It’s the same model that my grandfather had when I was a kid,” Novick says. “My grandfather’s boats are what got me interested in classic boats to begin with.”
His grandfather sold his original Capri in the 1970s but wasn’t happy with the newer fiberglass model he had purchased. In the end his grandfather tracked down another Capri, vintage 1955, named “55 Survivor,” which is the same boat Novick owns today.
Novick also owns “One of My Girls,” a 1956 Chris Craft Continental, a more spacious 23-foot utility boat. Both are still used for pleasure boating and water-skiing.
But it’s the pride of owning these rare vintage boats that gives Novick the most pleasure.
“People always stop and look,” he says. “They’ll give you a honk or a thumbs up when they see you out in your boat.”
Wooden pleasure boats were common until the early 1960s when lightweight, lower-maintenance fiberglass construction took over.
“There may be one or two manufacturers that still make wooden boats,” Novick says. “But they are very uncommon and costly.”
Many classic-boat enthusiasts seek out older boats to restore. One club member even built his own wood boat from scratch.
Maintenance is crucial to keeping these classic boats on the water. Novick keeps his boats garaged to protect them from sun damage, and has the wood revarnished every few years.
“There are some people who make a living doing restorations,” he says. “But for most of us, this is just a fun hobby,” Novick says.
“Summer’s End for Woodies”
Members of Rocky Mountain Classics will have their vintage boats on display at Sloan’s Lake today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission and boat rides. For more information, call Mike Novick at 720-244-3376 or visit .
