1999 20’ Custom Barrelstern Runabout

Ode to Joe

From 50 feet away, “Ode To Joe” looks gorgeous: flawless finish, perfect hardware, sumptuous green upholstery.   And there’s the classic barrelstern, with gold-leaf lettering.   She looks ever so much like a 1941 Chris-Craft Custom Runabout, but she’s not. 

Now, come closer to her, and you’ll see that, beautiful as she is,   this is no ordinary boat: this is a work of art!  Look at the hand-made banjo steering wheel.  That maple leaf is inlaid marquetry.  Look closely at those deck seams.  They’re not the ordinary polysulfide and white paint; they’re individually inlaid maple strips!  This boat was a labor of love, and no expense was spared in her construction.

“Ode To Joe” was built by her owner himself under the guidance of The Shipwright Company of Annapolis.  She is an homage to the owner’s father (Joe).  She’s a Ken Hankinson Design, entirely cold molded of ocoume plywood (4-layer bottom, 3-layer topsides).  She’s powered by a 403 c.i., 315 h.p Oldsmobile engine: quiet, reliable, lots of torque, and 60 knots (no kidding)!

“Ode To Joe” is well-known in the East Coast classic boating community, and she’s taken her share of show trophies.  You can see her on page 29 of the March/April 2003 issue of Classic Boating.  She’s the perfect boat for the boatman or boatwoman who recognizes craftsmanship of the first order, who seeks classic looks and performance combined with modern ease of maintenance and reliability, and who would appreciate a boat of understated elegance that will stand out even in the midst of a long dock lined with “ordinary” mahogany runabouts.

 

“Ode To Joe” is just about as good as they get.  She’s offered at a fair price and can be seen at ACW’s boatshop by appointment.

 

Price:  $75,000

                     includes brand-new custom trailer.

 

           Offers are encouraged