Nearly 20 Chris-Craft boats with a century of history between them glided across Lake Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday. 

Well, they weren’t exactly gliding. 

“These boats were made to fly and that’s what we were doing out there,” said David Kilmer, who was behind the wheel of a 1955 Chris-Craft that went by the name of “Cobra.” 

“All these boats are in amazing conditions,” he continued. “It’s going to be incredible to walk down the dock to see the amount of love and care that has gone into all of them.” 

The collection of Chris-Craft will be featured in this weekend’s Antique and Classic Boat Festival, put on at The Boardwalk Marina by the Inland Empire Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society in partnership with Coeur Customs and Hagadone Marine Group.

The annual free event celebrates the beauty, history and craftsmanship of wooden boats and is open to the public.  

It is described as “perfect for families and boat lovers alike, the festival is a chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts, take in the lakeside sunshine and admire the timeless beauty of boating on Lake Coeur d’Alene.” 

The show will have about 50 boats, both in the water and on land.

Carlo Ferreira, an avid wood boat collector, will have 19 boats in the show, 17 of which are Chris-Crafts from 1924 to 1969.

The Hagadone Marine Group and QuickSilver Studios teamed up for a photo shoot on a choppy Lake Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday morning to capture the legacy of Chris-Craft, whose name first started appearing on boats in 1924.

Kilmer said Chris-Craft is a great American success story. The boats were built before, after, but not during, World War II. Production resumed in 1946, and a 25-foot Chris-Craft named “Freedom” from that year will be at the Antique and Classic Boat Festival. It was a rare and beloved post-war model made for a short time, Kilmer said. 

“It was a stylish return to peak-time production,” he said. 

He said Chris-Craft has a fascinating history and its boats have evolved in construction and design. Today, HMG carries Chris-Craft in its offerings.

Freedom and other vintage watercraft will be ready for viewing this weekend, and owners may be on hand to talk shop and might let guests have a seat.

“This beloved annual event is open to all and offers a stunning showcase of vintage boats — each one lovingly restored, rebuilt and preserved to perfection," according to a flier. "While many of these elegant vessels feature gleaming mahogany finishes, you’ll also spot a variety of early fiberglass and aluminum models that add even more charm and character to the lineup,” 

Boat show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. 

    A Chris-Craft boat heads out on Lake Coeur d'Alene for a photo shoot on Wednesday.
  

    A line of Chris-Craft boats moves across the top of Lake Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday.
  

    A Chris-Craft boat churns through the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene.