For decades, a remarkable collection of antique wooden boats, vintage marine engines, rare boating parts and nostalgic memorabilia quietly grew behind the scenes on Lake Hopatcong.
Now, for the first time, that collection is being brought into public view.
Starting May 8, 2026, Bridge Marina is hosting a special online auction that features more than 70 antique wooden boats, over 100 vintage marine engines, and thousands of original marine parts and accessories dating from the late 1920s through the early 1960s.
The collection – known as the American Wooden Boat Restoration Collection – is being auctioned through Mecum On Time Auctions, a nationally recognized auction company specializing in vintage and collectible vehicles and memorabilia.
Bidding in three different auctions is open online and will conclude as follows:
- Boats & Select Parts: Auction closes Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Engines, Outboards & Parts: Auction closes Friday, June 12, 2026
- Parts & Accessories: Auction closes Saturday, June 13, 2026
More Than Just Antique and Wooden Boats
While recognizable names like Chris-Craft and Century are well represented in this once-in-a-lifetime collection, what makes this auction especially unique is the depth and variety surrounding the boats themselves.
Fully restored wooden boats sit alongside untouched restoration projects. Rare engines, vintage hardware, steering wheels, gauges, fittings, marine accessories and original memorabilia create an opportunity that appeals not only to collectors, but also restorers, hobbyists and anyone fascinated by classic American boating history.
Some pieces are polished and complete. Others tell the story of decades spent waiting patiently for their next chapter.
How the Collection Came to Be on Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong – New Jersey’s largest lake – is a fitting place for a collection like this to surface. Lake Hopatcong is long connected to the history and culture of wooden boating in the Northeast.
Bridge Marina acquired the collection as part of a recent expansion, taking on the responsibility of organizing and preserving what the previous owner had amassed over the years – an expansive and diverse special collection that spans through the heyday of antique and classic boating.
Rather than dispersing pieces privately, Bridge Marina’s Ray and Becca Fernandez felt strongly that the collection deserved a wider audience and a chance for the broader community to become part of what happens next.
“We see this auction as giving these boats their next chapter,” Ray Fernandez, president of Bridge Marina, said. “Some will be restored. Some will become part of other projects. Some will inspire the next generation of wooden boat collectors. But all of this history moves forward into the hands of new stewards, which is really important to us.”
As a lifelong Lake Hopatcong resident and third-generation marina owner, Fernandez says the auction feels especially meaningful being hosted locally.
“Decades of collecting from across the country are now together in one place, right here on Lake Hopatcong. Opportunities like this rarely come along – not just for collectors, but for anyone who appreciates the craftsmanship and history behind classic boating.”
Much of the auction and collection’s logistics and details are being handled by Rich L’Altrelli, a local Lake Hopatcong resident, boater and attorney specializing in corporate law, commercial real estate and various business transactions.
A Rare Opportunity for Collectors, Restorers and Newcomers
Collections of this scale rarely surface publicly, particularly ones that include not just the boats themselves, but the engines, parts and accessories that help
preserve and restore them.
For antique boating collectors and restorers, this auction represents a rare opportunity to explore a broad cross-section of American wooden boating history all in one place.
For newer boaters, it’s also a fascinating look into the craftsmanship, design and culture that helped shape recreational boating as we know it today.
Explore the Collection In Person: Join us for Preview Dates
See the collection in person by joining Bridge Marina for in person preview dates – Thursday, June 4 – Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9am-4pm at Bridge Marina Henderson, 2 Thompson Lane, Andover, NJ 07821.
Bid Online with Mecum On Time Auctions
The auction is being conducted entirely online through Mecum On Time Auctions.
View the auction catalog and current bidding opportunities here.