annual "ice-out"

Spring is in the air, although the dusting of white this am kind of put a dent in our "fever". Here at Mahogany Bay we have begun the tradition of our annual "ice-out" competition - This is a fierce competition that starts with some verbal sparring amongst our crew. Last years winner- Nick, from our restoration shop, has yet to pronounce his date for this year. Tomorrow is the deadline for all of our entries - - stay posted to see who our 2009 Ice Out champ will be!! I am an eternal optimist and have chosen.. April Fools as my day.. summer cannot come soon enough in my book.

We won the Big Woody!

We realize it's the worst pun in classic boating society, but it's true - we've won the Big Woody Award for Best Website from the crew at WoodyBoater.

To see why we think it's well deserved, visit our redesigned website: www.MahoganyBay.net

On Golden Pond Boat Sells on Ebay for $47,000

News has come in that one of the boats used in the filming of the classic movie "On Golden Pond" was recently sold on Ebay for $47,000. The 1950 22' Chris-Craft Sportsman was owned by a Twin Cities man by the name of Kohout, and his intention all along has been to use the boat strictly as an investment. It has not been in the water since he has owned it, and the 22' boat and its original trailer are currently stored in a climate-controlled garage in Princeton. The 33-year-old, who works in mortgage financing, acknowledges feeling some reluctance about selling it. We agree that these boats make great investments, but we still think they're great in the water, too!

There were four "Thayer IV" vessels bought for the movie, and three of them captured screen time. All of them were sold after filming wrapped, with two going to one buyer in Key Largo, Fla., including the one that was wrecked. It's the other one, Kohout says, that he now owns and is trying to sell.

This boat in the condition it was in is worth $15,000 as a 1950 22' Sportsman. There are many out there for sale. Restored to show condition $45,000 give or take $5,000. So selling for $47,000 tells me that the film value is roughly $37,000. That's the value of a good story. Even so, the fact that it's a movie boat gives the boat a story. It's not like you're going to go fishing in it.

Filmed in 1981, "On Golden Pond" explores the relationship of aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer (Hepburn and Fonda) who spend each summer at their home on Golden Pond. They are visited by daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda) with her fiancé, where they drop off his rebellious son. Henry Fonda (best actor) and Katherine Hepburn (best actress) won Oscars for their roles. In filming the crash scene, Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda) and his grand-stepson run the "Thayer IV" into the rocks repeatedly. But the vintage wooden boats were so rugged that they kept bouncing off the rocks with little damage. The crew had to modify one of the boats so it would break up in the wreck.

Thanks to the Star Tribune and Woody Boater for covering this as well!