“Meandering On”, a 1935 - 25’ Richardson Little Giant Cruiser

(owned by John and Cindy Hendren)

See more pictures and details at:

Johns Little Boat Shop

Meandering On is often trailered via a custom built trailer to different events and shows, and has won 7 awards since being completed in June of 2000.

HISTORY:
This cruiser was built in North Tonawanda, N.Y. All Richardson Cruisers were custom ordered and built from 1909 to 1962. The Richardson factory built the boats over the fall and winter, then invited new owners to pilot their newly acquired cruisers on a 7 day “Sailaway” from North Tonawanda, along the Erie Canal, down the Hudson River, to New York City. These Richardson Sailaways were a popular and festive event along the Canal.

This boat had been out of the water for 20 years when the Hendrens found her in a Marina’s shop near Peterborough in July 1998. All loaded up for the 8 mile trek home:

The cedar hull was in exceptionally good shape, with only 2 planks replaced. Shown here are the stripped version, and the next day with a coat of paint! What a difference a day makes!

All the mahogany on the super structure is new. The salon roof was not original to this boat, yet was an option on the Little Giants, so the owner fabricated a replica from pictures, keeping the contours and design of the cabin roof.

The entire helm/ salon area had been replaced (assumably during its last renovation in the mid-70's) with a box-like fir plywood helm. (Thank heavens the original hardware was still intact!) A new mahogany helm was constructed, as shown below. A re-designed interior was started in the winter of 1999, using a plan taken from the boat's original 1935 brochure.

She is powered by the original (rebuilt) Chrysler Marine Flathead 6.

On the Erie Canal - Richardson Rendezvous 2003

Winner of the following Awards:

People's Choice - Trent-Severn Millennium Show - Peterborough- August 2000

Best Antique Cruiser - Manotick / Westport Show - July 2001

People's Choice - Richardson Boat Club's Rendezvous - Picton - July 2002

Best of Show - Richardson Boat Club's Rendezvous - Picton - July 2002

Best Antique Cruiser - Richardson Boat Club's Rendezvous - Seneca Falls - July 2003

People's Choice- Cruiser- Trent-Severn Lift Lock Centennial Show - Peterborough - July 2004

Best Antique Cruiser - Clayton Antique Boat Museum Show - Clayton, N.Y. - Aug. 2004

See pictures of the Richardson Boat Owners' Assoc. Summer 2003 Rendezvous - Click here

See pictures of the Trent-Severn Boat Club's Summer 2003 Rendezvous - Click Here

See pictures of the Trent-Severn Boat Club's 2004 Boat Show - Click Here

See more information and pictures of this boat - Click Here

Original 1935 Richardson Little Giant Brochure...see full brochure, and more

details on this boat, go to:

Johns Little Boat Shop