LAKE GEORGE – Jeff Killeen has adoringly and meticulously cared for his rare 1929 Chris-Craft Cadet wooden powerboat for 25 years. Now he’s donating the award-winning vessel to a cause he cares about even more deeply – the long-term protection of Lake George. The 22-foot, triple-cockpit boat, christened “The Laker,” will be auctioned off by the not-for-profit Lake George Association at its July 23 Summer Gala, with all proceeds benefiting the LGA’s Lake-protection programs.

The appraised value of the boat is $40,000 and bidding will start at $25,000. Mr. Killeen, a retired information services and digital media executive who serves as volunteer chairman of the board of the LGA and lives year-round on the Lake, said he is downsizing his wooden boat collection and hopes to find a home for the beloved vessel with another Lake George wooden boat enthusiast. “The Laker” features a six-foot beam and is equipped with the original 1929 Chrysler Imperial 100-horsepower, straight-6 engine and all original parts.

It is a two-time winner of the “Most Original Lake George Boat” award at the Lake George Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous. “’The Laker’ has brought many smiles to the faces of my family over the years and I look forward to seeing the big smile on the face of the winning bidder,” Mr. Killeen said. “This is a rare, highly collectible boat that is in perfect running condition and ready to make memories for its new owner for years to come. To me, just the name — ‘The Laker’ — is worthy of acquisition.”

“What better scenario could there be for someone who loves wooden boats and loves Lake George?” Mr. Killeen said. “You can make this beauty your own and make a truly meaningful donation to the long-term protection of the most beautiful Lake in the world.”

Rare 1929 Chris-Craft Cadet wooden powerboat. (Photo provided by John Brodt, Behan Communications.)

The LGA Summer Gala will be held on Saturday, July 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. under an open-air tent at The Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George Village.

Tickets are now on sale at www.lakegeorgeassociation.org/news-events/events/summer-gala.

Anyone who is unable to attend but would like to bid on the classic Chris-Craft or any other live auction item, may either “live bid” over the phone with a live auction concierge or place a “ghost bid” in advance with a not-to-exceed amount.

To make arrangements for either type of bid, please contact LGA Director of Development Tyra MacGuffie at tmacguffie@lakegeorgeassociation.org, or (518) 668-3558, extension 302.

A full list of auction items can be found at lakegeorgeassociation.org/auction.

The Lake George Association is the preeminent Lake-protection organization, providing technical and financial assistance to property owners; world-class research and direct protection programs through The Jefferson Project, the Lake George Waterkeeper, and an array of public-private partnerships; public education programs; and public policy advocacy, all with the goal of protecting the Lake’s water quality today and for the future.

Photo at top: This rare 1929 Chris-Craft Cadet wooden powerboat, donated by Lake George Association Chairman Jeff Killeen, will be auctioned off by the LGA as part of its Summer Gala on Saturday, July 23. Anyone interested in bidding who is not attending the Gala is asked to contact LGA Director of Development Tyra MacGuffie at tmacguffie@lakegeorgeassociation.org, or (518) 668-3558, extension 302. (Photo provided by John Brodt, Behan Communications.)