Classic Craft

Hoptoad 1948 18’ Lyman Islander.

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In 1990, when my son, William, was 10 years old, we visited South Bass Island, Ohio. On a walk around Put-in-Bay, we spotted an old Lyman Islander that was in desperate need of TLC.

William was smitten! So, of course, I bought the boat and later trailered it to my shop in Chardon, Ohio, where William and I began a fi ve-year restoration project.

The boat’s name was chosen by my children; my wife used to read them Pippi Longstocking books, and Pippi’s uncle was a pirate whose boat was named Hoptoad. So my family christened the Lyman Hoptoad!

After the restoration, I entered some Antique and Classic Boat Society shows and started winning awards, including three Best of Shows. Lyman Islanders built in that era did not have standard windshields, they were an option. Hoptoad doesn’t have a windshield, which makes it truly authentic. I also added a third side wheel after my fi fth grandson was born. It’s the only one I’ve seen with three side wheels. There’s no plastic on the boat and it has more than 5,000 copper rivets. The engine is a Hercules marinized by Chris-Craft.

Hoptoad and I have been on many adventures. One of my favorite trips was an 800-mile excursion through the rivers and canals of Canada. Two friends and I, aboard our three classic Lymans, started at Clayton, New York, and traveled through the Rideau Canal to the St. Lawrence River to the Erie Canal, ending at Buffalo, New York. I was the only one who completed the entire trip!

I’ve had the boat in the water every summer since she was completed. I’m proud to say that my son, William, is now a naval architect in Seattle; I think his experience building Hoptoad inspired his career choice. —Bill Moon, Port Clinton, OH