Golf took a back (rumble) seat Saturday at the Moorings Yacht and Country Club, as an enviable collection of automobiles – classic, sport and exotic, antique and new – graced the fairway of the club’s first hole for the fourth annual Wheels and Keels Car and Boat Show to benefit the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County.
Roughly 70 perfectly polished cars sparkled in the bright sunshine, grouped along the grass in classes that included everything from lovingly restored antiques to jazzy sports cars and exotics. The featured marquees, Cadillac and Porsche, were joined by Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, American sports cars, European sports cars, special interest and prestige cars. The 85 entries were rounded out with a collection of motorcycles, and with sail- and motorboats at the marina.
The event was originally conceptualized by avid car buff Gavin Ruotolo, who chaired it again this year, and fellow Moorings resident George O’Malley quickly jumped on board.
“We had an idea and it’s working,” said Ruotolo. “We have a great group of volunteers and it’s resonating because it’s for a great cause.”
It was a top-level show, billed as the last big show of the South Florida season, and supported by Hemmings Motor News and Motor Trend Magazine. Car and boat entries were judged in several categories by chief judge and Hemmings Executive Editor Richard Lentinello, who also presided over the Red Carpet Review at the close of the show.
“This display setting is 200 percent better than the parking lot,” said Keith Reynolds, who had entered his 2001 Lotus Esprit and 2013 Corvette Grand Sport. “It’s just a wonderful venue; it’s like Pebble Beach.”
“Don’t say it’s mine; this is my wife’s,” laughed Orin Smith, of wife Stephanie’s bright yellow 1939 Packard. “Dutch Darrin built 12 of these in his California plant; this is one of those.”
Of the equally stunning 1947 Bentley convertible alongside it, he added, “That’s mine; not my wife’s!”
A few owners had added personal touches to their entries – such as a car hop tray attached to a quirky 1976 AMC Pacer, and a New York license plate proclaiming, “Makinout” adorning a 1949 Mercury Sport Sedan.
Old met new with a 1930 Ford Model A, parked next to the Indian River County Sherriff’s gottcha car; a racy blue Mustang.
Refreshments and a shaded veranda provided the perfect viewing spot to watch as the event’s beneficiaries, students in the Youth Sailing Foundation, put their skills to the test, tacking and ducking the boom as they came about in the breeze.
Exhibitors, sponsors and supporters of Youth Sailing had gathered at the club Friday evening for cocktails and dinner, where they learned a little more about the all-volunteer organization, which is funded strictly through grants and donations.
More than 300 children have learned to sail through its free Saturday morning classes, conducted from their facility near the Alma Lee Loy Bridge and the fee-based, day-long summer camp sessions, which are held at The Moorings. Scholarships, including the dozen offered by generous guests Friday night, assist those who need it.
“The Moorings is donating all the funds raised by this to Youth Sailing, which is mind-boggling,” said YSF board member Allan Blair. “It’s extremely generous.”
“The Youth Sailing Foundation has grown much more than I ever thought it would,” said Charlie Pope, YSF board chairman. “We could never have taken it to the level it is now without this support.”
The organization has now turned its sights on teaching adults, utilizing Trinka sailboats, which are slightly larger than the one-person Optimist boats used by children.
“The magic of the adult program is that we’re recharging so to speak, funneling that money back to purchase capital equipment, overhead; all the bits and pieces,” said Blair. “We also are looking for instructors for children and adults, and we’re looking for adult students.”
“We’ve got 17 kids on the wait list for the fall beginner class. Hence the need for additional instructors,” said YSF instructor Brenda Cetrulo.
For more information, visit www.ysfirc.org.