2014 Lake Chatuge Rendezvous

Kirsten Johnson reacts the feeling of power after starting the engines of Miss America IX, a 1930 hydroplane built and raced by her great-uncle Gar Wood. Johnson has been researching her family history for a couple of years, and met with Charles Mistele, owner of Miss America IX to learn more about Woods' racing exploits.

Charles Mistele, right, shows Kirsten Johnson some of the dings and dents that Miss America IX accumulated during her racing days. "This boat was made for racing, not to look pretty," said Mistele of the marks, most of which have been left without repair. Johnson is a great-niece of Gar Wood, and is researching her family history, prompting a meeting with Mistele during the ACBS Blue Ridge Chapter's 27th Lake Chatuge Rendezvous in Hiawassee, GA.

Kirsten Johnson, left, and Charles Mistele sit in the cockpit of Miss America IX, a 1930 hydroplane built and raced by Gar Wood. Johnson is part of Wood's extended family, and paid Mistele a visit to learn what she could about her great-uncle's racing exploits and boat building business. Mistele has owned the boat for many years. Johnson met Mistele during the ACBS Blue Ridge Chapter's 27th Annual Lake Chatuge Rendezvous.

Charles Mistele, left, explains how the seating area of Miss America IX has been modified since the boat was built by Gar Wood in 1930. At right is Kirsten Johnson, whose grandmother was Gar Wood's sister. Johnson has been researching her family history for nearly two years, and paid Mistele a visit to learn what she could about her great-uncle's racing expoits and boat building business. Miss America IX is on display at the ACBS Blue Ridge Chapter's 27th Annual Lake Chatuge Rendezvous through Sunday, June 8, 2014.

Charles Mistele attaches the deck cover onto Miss America IX while preparing her for an overnight stay Wednesday, June 4, at the Ridges Resort Marina on Lake Chatuge near Hiawassee, GA. Charles brought Miss America IX to Lake Chatuge for the 27th Annual Lake Chatuge Rendezvous, held by the Blue Ridge CHapter of the ACBS. Miss America IX is a hydroplane built and raced by Gar Wood in the early 1930s.

A group of classic boats heads out onto Lake Chatuge for an evening tour of the lake Thursday night, June 5, from the Ridges Resort Marina. The tour was the kickoff of the 27th Annual Lake Chatuge Rendezvous, in combination with the Antique and Classic Boat Society's annual Spring Meeting. Nearly 50 boats will participate in the event, which runs through Sunday, June 8.