The 2023 Denver Boat Show

The last weekend in January found me working a booth at the 2023 Denver Boat Show. This was my first time at this event, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but it was a wonderful show, very well-attended, and I was able to spend a few days doing one of my favorite things: chat with people about wooden boats.

I spent much of my time in a little 10’x10’ square meeting some wonderful folks. One gentleman had just recently purchased a beautiful 30’ Hutchinson at an auction in central Nebraska. Another with a 1947 Chris-Craft barrelback. Even a mid-1960’s resto-mod interested in a wood dash and seats. Eventually, I ran out of cards to hand out and had a great time.

In addition to my own booth for Denver Custom Boatworks, I brought along Just Lovely, the 1929 Chris-Craft triple cockpit. She’s owned by the Rocky Mountain Wooden Boat School, of which I serve as president of the board, and we entered her in the people’s choice competition sponsored by Rocky Mountain Classics. After over 1,000 visitors to the boat and over 500 ballots cast, Just Lovely won the People’s Choice Award!

Overall, it was a great weekend, one I got to share with my father who flew in to help me at my booth, and one that saw many people become interested in wooden boats in all the forms they come in.

We’ll be back in 2024–make plans to get there!