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For centuries,graceful and stylish wooden boats have elegantly cruised the waters of Lake Tahoe. For 35 years, this tradition has been celebrated by the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation at the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, a gathering of the finest antique wooden boats in North America – and some say – in the world. This summer’s Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, a competitive event intended to recognize originality and authenticity among restored and meticulously maintained wooden craft, will take place Thursday, Aug. 9 to Saturday, Aug. 11 at Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay, Calif.

The marque – or featured – class of the 2007 event is Boats of the Thirties, which is sure to bring out some spectacular entries. In addition to boats produced from 1930 to 1939, there are more than a dozen other classes that boat owners may enter. While the number of interested participants far exceeds the number of slips at the marina, the show typically sees 110 to 120 boat entries in this prestigious event.

Boats of the Thirties

The Great Depression severely hampered the luxury boat industry. The world had changed drastically from the carefree 1920s. America witnessed a stock market crash and a deepening depression plus the bewildering rise of a Nazi leader overseas. At home, there were serious economic hardships; elsewhere there was a growing new restlessness in world politics. While the grim economic struggle was worse for some than others, the reduction in disposable income was all too real as the Depression reared its ugly head.

However, while the Depression reflected a drop in boat production and the closure of many boatyards, there were those who could still afford to indulge, and many boat manufacturers survived the decade intact. Indeed, an editorial the May 1932 issue of Yachting Magazine appealed to readers to take their yachts to local boat yards to generate work and thus prevent layoffs. Technical changes in the boat industry were reflected by a transition from raised-deck construction (designed to accommodate larger engines) to a sleeker, flush-deck design. The thirties also saw a trend toward a smaller boat size. Many popular “triple cockpit” runabout boats shrank from 28-plus feet to a maximum of 27 feet, before being discontinued altogether once World War II began. Other architectural changes of the decade include a change in the line of the sheer (where the deck and the sides of the boat meet). Sharply angled in the early thirties, later in the decade this angle was softened, reflecting the curves of the aerodynamic Art Deco period.

Concours d’Elegance Extends One Additional Day

In past years, two days to visit and view more than 110 boats simply hasn’t been enough. This year, organizers have added an additional half day of viewing, offering a “V.I.P. Preview” day on Thursday, Aug. 9. Beginning at noon, an opening ceremony will announce the official start of the show, with ticket sales limited to the first 500 people and added attractions to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the event. With the earlier start, organizers have also bumped up the timeframe for judging. With the exception of the People’s Choice Award, all trophies will be presented on Friday evening, Aug. 10. This change will allow Saturday’s spectators to see the winners of each class in the event, which in the past has not been possible, and also allows boat owners to share their successes with the public.