Bygone Boats

Proud sentinels of days gone by, antique and classic boats harken back to the time when recreational watercraft with nicknames like “Little Funhouse” and “Eleanor” filled the Tennessee River.

You don’t see many antique boats on the water these days, but those who return these classic vessels to their former glory are passionate about their hobby.

Experts estimate these wooden boat restorations can take anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 hours to complete, (and that’s if you know how to repair a boat.)

The Antique and Classic Boating Society (ACBS) is a network of enthusiasts who restore old boats and take them out on the water. The ACBS Dixieland chapter travels around the Tennessee Valley’s waterways…and if you’re lucky enough, you may catch sight of their special fleet!

The modern TVA era has smoothed the watery pathways that once were dangerous routes filled with rapids and water hazards created by terrain, topography and time. Today’s result: smooth sailing for these elderly runabouts!