DON’T MISS THE BAT BOAT AT THE BOB BLAZIER RUN FOR THE ARTS!
See the Bat Boat in person! Glenn Chelius will be on site at the 19th Annual Bob Blazier Run For The Arts (26 N Williams Street, Crystal Lake) to show the community his custom Bat Boat built by Crystal Lake Marine Services. The Bat Boat will be onsite on May 1, 2016 starting at 7:15 a.m. and you are welcome to come up, check it out and snap a photo or two!
The inspiration for the Batboat was based on the 1966 Bat Boat, designed and created by Mel Whitley and Robert Hammond with Glastron Industries from a Glastron V-174. It first appeared in the 1966 Batman movies starring Adam West and Burt Ward and was subsequently used in seasons two and three of the 1960’s Batman television series.
Crystal Lake Marine Services (located in Woodstock) created this Bat Boat from a 1992 Sea Swirl 188 Spyder. An incredible amount of detail went into every step of creating the Bat Boat. The goal of the project was to try staying within the style of the original Bat Boat. These features include the signature bat fin off the aft with a red beacon light, bat air scoops on the bow, captain and co-captain torpedo shaped windows as well as the metallic flake blue paint with flames on the hull and bat details on the fin.
As the original Bat Boat was a film prop, longevity and comfort did not factor into the design. While Crystal Lake Marine Services remained faithful to the style of the original, the Bat Boat features a more durable design as well as a few modern conveniences. The Bat Boat features bucket swivel captain and co-captain seats, two additional jump seats as well as bow seats which feature retro blue, gray and white Marine approved upholstery.
About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 14 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.