Wooden Boat Festival

Offering plenty of fun on the water. By Jocelyn Stott

Some are brand new and some are lovingly restored, but all of the wooden boats on display are a fantastic example of craftsmanship during the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Annual Wooden Boat Show at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Marina and Boardwalk, August 16-17.

Boats from around the area, as well as vessels from as far away as Canada and Texas, are on display for viewing beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday morning until 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

One of the event sponsors, Stancraft Boats, has some of their showpiece boats on display at the event. The Post Falls manufacturer constructs boats of all sizes out of African Mahogany. Not only are these one-of-a-kind crafts shipped to boat aficionados around the world, they’re also in use locally.

StanCraft Boats are seen coming and going at the downtown docks as the Gozzer Ranch and Golf Club water taxi fleet brings people to and from Gozzer Ranch and Golf Club on the east shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Hagadone Marine also constructs classic heirloom and collector quality custom wooden boats locally through their in-house Coeur d’Alene Custom Wood Boat Shop.

Wooden boats are used to shuttle golfers out to the legendary 14th Floating Green at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. Skilled golfers who make the green are escorted along with their party to the putting green to finish the game for a unique waterfront golf experience.

Also adjacent to downtown, viewers can check out the Coeur d’Alene SUP (Stand Up Paddeboard) Cup at the North Idaho College Dock and (near the Spokane River mouth) Beach. Men, Women and Youth Division racers paddle their boards across the waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene in hopes of victory. The event begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and features a five-mile, one-mile, youth and team relay races as well as equipment demonstrations throughout the day.

They’re not made of wood but, just west of the Wooden Boat Festival on Saturday, you can check out yet another fun water activity to watch: The Cardboard Boat Regatta at nearby Independence Point between City Beach and the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

During this event, teams of youth ages 12-15, adults 16-60 and Corporate/Business groups assemble and attempt to navigate vessels composed of cardboard and two rolls of duct tape as they race to (a hopeful) finish. This event is free and begins at 11 a.m.

Bragging rights are awarded to the Race Winner, Judges Favorite and Titanic Award (the best sinking vessel – if applicable).

For more information on these Chamber of Commerce events, contact Diane Higdem, 208.692.1635.

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