History Of Thousand Islands Chapter

The Thousand Islands Chapter of ACBS is unique in several ways, it is the only international chapter of ACBS, having a large number of Canadian as well as US members; it is the home chapter for both the Antique Boat Museum and ACBS Headquarters; and its members are from all over the map, drawn by the incomparable St. Lawrence River. The Chapters' original officers started the chapter to support other Chamber of Commerce activities in Alexandria Bay, NY in 1976. Since that time the annual vintage boat show has grown to +/- 85 boats annually.

One of the unique characteristics of boating in the Thousand Islands is the presence of a large number of vintage wood boats that are still being used in every day activities on the St. Lawrence River.

Many of these older, wood boats have been in their respective families for decades. Some boats have served three or four generations in a wide range of boating activities that include fishing, water sports, cruising and just commuting to town for supplies. These vintage wood boats are well maintained, usually very reliable and kept in such good condition that they are close to “boat show” appearance most of the time.

The committee that established the Alexandria Bay Vintage Boat Show over twenty five years ago was motivated to encourage the owners of these “user” vintage boats to participate in a boat show that acknowledges the value of active boat use. They planned a boat show that would recognize the special quality that vintage boats bring to the River community when they are used and enjoyed by their owners all through the boating season.

Neither a working boat or an exclusive show boat should have an advantage over the other in scoring. The key to accomplishing this goal successfully rests in the sensible application of the scoring system by judges by allowing the common characteristics associated with frequent use (not abuse) to be granted more tolerance from point deductions.