Antique boat show docks at The Weirs Sept. 12

WEIRS BEACH — The New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society is bringing their fall rendezvous to The Weirs from 9 a.m. to noon. on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The chapter holds a fall show every other year, typically in Wolfeboro. Doug Zimmerman, president of the New England chapter, said they were looking for a change of scenery, especially since their July show 6 was in Wolfeboro, as well. The chapter also has a history and connection to Weirs Beach.

“The first show ever for the Antique Boat and Classic Boat Society was actually in The Weirs, in 1974,” Zimmerman said. “We're trying to kind of go back to some of the roots, and see if we could do more at other locations around the lake. So, that's our goal, is to get other parts of the lake involved.”

Zimmerman said there are currently 22 boats registered for the event, and they are hoping to get as many as 35 boats involved. He said many antique boaters will wait to register until they know the weather that day, but they are hopeful for more registrations, as September is typically a great time for a boat show.

Zimmerman said he is slightly concerned about low water levels at The Weirs.

“On the inside of the dock, the part that's parallel to the boardwalk, we were planning on putting boats there, and the water level's pretty low right now, and we're not sure how many boats we'll be able to put on that inside section.”

Zimmerman plans to test water levels this weekend, to determine how many boats can be docked there, and where.

Antique and classic boats will dock at The Weirs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. during the event, for the public to view and enjoy. There will also be pastries and refreshments. At 11:30 a.m., the group will head out onto Lake Winnipesaukee to show off their vessels.

“The goal is to get people together, and get boats out on the water. And have the general public be able to see these beautiful boats, and help spread and develop the hobby of being involved in the antique boat world,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman has been involved with the Antique and Classic Boat Society for many years. The past two years, he's served as New England Chapter treasurer and vice president, and began serving as president for the 2026 summer season, and onward.

Thirteen years ago, Zimmerman bought his first antique boat, a 1941 Chris-Craft, which he has worked on restoring and taking out on the lake to showcase to the public.

“I've been involved in the club for three years, and this is an opportunity for me to give back to the people that have helped me out in the hobby,” Zimmerman said. “And a lot of people from around the lake have helped me in my journey with restoring the boat, and things like that. So, I decided that being involved in the club and helping out was part of my way to give back to the community.”

Zimmerman said most of the members involved currently do not have experience putting on this event at The Weirs.

“This is a way for us to kind of test it out, and understand how the docks work and how the wave conditions work. Because you need to have a comfortable place for people to be able to come and enjoy the boats,” Zimmerman said. “We want the public to be able to be involved. So, this is a way for us to give it a try on a smaller scale than our normal summer show.”

The fall rendezvous at The Weirs will be the last show of the season. Zimmerman said testing out this show at The Weirs will help them in the future, as looking toward the 2027 season, they plan to bring shows to locations across Winnipesaukee, to bring and promote the hobby of antique boating to as much of the Lakes Region as possible.

“This is about people and about getting people out on their boats,” Zimmerman said. “So, it's a small social event that we hope the public will be able to see some of the antique boats from around the lake.”