Smith Mountain Lake is a great place for hobbyists to develop and master a craft – particularly antique boat crafters. One boat admirer is bringing a first to Smith Mountain Lake – building a steam-powered launch right in his own Smith Mountain Lake back yard. Mark White of Bedford’s major undertaking is the center of a recent Roanoke Times piece highlighting his endeavor and the love of boating that led to it.
Smith Mountain Lake attracts antique boat enthusiasts of all types with its annual Antique and Classic Boat Show and many other events hosted by the local chapter of the parallel society. At any time, Smith Mountain Lake members are working to reconstruct and beautify vessel treasures of earlier decades. White’s steamboat will hold three to four people, move at a leisurely speed of 6-8 knots and carry the title Allie Hudson, a combination of his grandchildren’s names.
