Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The G10 Glen-L Boatbuilders Gathering


This is a special year, as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Glen-L boatbuilders gathering. The gatherings are relaxing and informal affairs, all organized by members of the boatbuilding forum on the Glen-L website. Amateur boatbuilders from all over the country, and several from all corners of the world, gather together to ride in one another's boats, share their experiences, gain inspiration, meet new friends, and generally just have a good time.

At last year's Gathering, I had the pleasure of launching my boat for the very first time. What a fun and exiting experience that was! This year, I was happy to return with my boat fully completed.


What a great time!



Glen-L Riviera and Glen-L Gentry
Modified Glen-L Riviera and Glen-L Gentry, all set to run up the Tennessee River.

Glen-L Riviera
This modified wooden Riviera was built on top of the fiberglass V-bottom of a 1976 Century Arabian. The boat's name is "Linda Anne."

Glen-L Riviera
"Linda Anne" is more than just graceful on the water. The boat is extremely fast with an exceptionally smooth ride.

Glen-L Tahoe
"Innocence" is a triple-cockpit Glen-L Tahoe, designed by Ken Hankinson.

Glen-L Tahoe

Glen-L Belle Isle
A beautiful Glen-L Belle Isle on the Tennessee River.

Glen-L Belle Isle
Passengers aboard the Belle Isle enjoy riding through the beautiful Tennessee River gorge.

Glen-L Riviera
The Glen-L flotilla arrives in Chattanooga, and passengers disembark for lunch.

Glen-L Torpedo
Roberta's award-winning Glen-L Torpedo. The Torpedo is Glen L. Witt's most recent design, in a career spanning over six decades. Glen-L was founded in 1953. Plans for the Torpedo were first published in late 2010.

Glen-L Gentry
Passengers aboard "Scooter," a Glen-L Gentry, arriving at the dock.

While most of the Glen-L flotilla were handmade wooden boats, a nice, white fiberglass Cobalt was also part of the group.


Glen-L Torpedo

Glen-L Torpedo
Roberta's Torpedo, docked in the shadow of Chattanooga's Olgiatti bridge.

Glen-L Torpedo
The Torpedo has a distinctive transom, reminiscent of the Ventnor boats and the Chris-Craft Cobras.

Glen-L Belle Isle
After lunch, the Glen-L Belle Isle pulls away from the dock to fuel up at a nearby marina.

Glen-L Torpedo
So far the only one of its kind, this Torpedo is simply named "The Glen-L."

Glen-L Riviera
"Linda Anne" and crew pull away from the dock.

"Innocence" passes the Tennessee Aquarium's "River Gorge Explorer."

Glen-L Torpedo
Roberta and Gayle cruising downriver in the boat Gayle's dad designed, and which Roberta made a reality.

Glen-L Torpedo

Bartender 24
"Francis Lauren," a newly-built Bartender.

Glen-L Belle Isle
"Lil' Foo," the Glen-L Belle Isle.

Friends and boats, up and down the dock at Hales Bar Marina.

Friends and boats, up and down the dock at Hales Bar Marina.

Glen-L Utility
"Perseverance" stayed in the water overnight, through a brief rain shower.

Ducks at the marina.

Glen-L Monaco
"Sweet Melissa," a beautifully-built Glen-L Monaco.

Glen-L Monaco
"Sweet Melissa" docked in front of the marina's floating cabins.

Bartender 24
"Francis Lauren," the newly-completed Bartender.

"Fastidiots," a Glen-L Squirt, comes back in to the marina... passing "Linda Anne"...

...and turning the corner in front of "Francis Lauren."

Bartender 24
The double-ender transom of the Bartender is designed to rise into following waves.

Glen-L Tahoe
Front view of "Innocence," a Glen-L Tahoe.

The marina is built on the site of the old Hales Bar Dam, completed in 1913 and dismantled in 1968.

Glen-L Tahoe

Glen-L Utility
Another builder was there with his Glen-L Utility.

Glen-L Utility

Glen-L Squirt
A Glen-L Squirt, powered by a 20hp Yamaha motor.

Glen-L Squirt
Playing on the Squirt's small size (typically 11' LOA), this builder named his boat "Knot to Scale."

Hatch detail on "Knot to Scale." In spite of the boat's small size, I have long felt that the Squirt has more graceful lines than virtually all of its larger outboard cousins in the Glen-L catalog. It's simply a beautiful design.


Glen-L Squirt

Glen-L Squirt
"Fastidiots" is a modified Squirt, with a reversed transom and powered by a jet ski motor.

Glen-L Utility
Glen-L Utility, built to an extended length of 12', and powered by a 15hp Mercury.

Glen-L Tahoe

With the weekend drawing to a close, boaters begin to taxi down to the boat ramp to trailer their boats and head for home.


Glen-L Squirt



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