The Legacy

History of The Legacy

Timeline of The Legacy

The Early Years: Lake Erie

The journey began in 1974 when Lloyd passed the boat to his son, Brent. For over a decade, the boat called Hamburg, NY, home. It was a staple of family life, used for countless summer days on the waters of Lake Erie.

The Finger Lakes Era

In 1986, the boat transitioned to the next generation when Brent gifted it to his sister, Ginger, and her husband, Paul. This marked the beginning of a new chapter:

• The 1987 Restoration: Paul performed the first full teardown, refinishing, and repainting. His son, Nathan (then 11 years old), watched and learned, beginning a lifelong bond with the vessel.

• Family Traditions: For years, the boat was a fixture on Canandaigua and Honeoye Lakes. It served as the platform for water skiing, fishing, and childhood memories.

• The Long Sleep: Around 1999, the original motor began to fail. Rather than letting her deteriorate, Paul carefully tucked the boat away in a barn, where she remained “frozen in time” for 25 years.

The 2025 Resurrection

In the Spring of 2025, the torch was passed to Nathan. Upon pulling her from the barn, the boat was found in remarkable condition. After a quick trailer swap, Nathan transported the boat to the Adirondacks to begin an intensive six-week restoration for her new home on Lake George.

The Foundations

  • 1958: Lloyd Ellis purchased the boat with his wife Edith Ellis for them to use on their summer days where they spent time together on Lake Erie.

  • 1974: Loyd Ellis passes the boat to his son, Brent Ellis. The boat is kept in Hamburg , NY, and enjoyed on Lake Erie.

  • 1986: Brent Ellis gifts the boat to his sister Ginger Ellis and her then husband Paul Krusko.

  • 1987: The major restoration. Paul Krusko preforms a full teardown and repaint. An 11-year-old Nathan Krusko watches his father work, learning the craft.

  • 1988 – 1999: The Finger Lakes years. The family calls Canandagua and Honeoye Lakes home, spending years skiing and fishing.2

  • 2000: The original motor begins to fail. Paul Krusko retires the bat to the barn, carefully covering it to preserve the wood.

The 2025 Resurrection

  • Spring 2025: Paul Krusko officially passes The Legacy to Nathan Krusko.

  • May 2025: The boat is puled from the barn after 25 year’s in the dark. It is successfully transferred to a modern trailer for its journey to the Adirondacks.

  • June 2025: The 6-week Sprint

    • Week 1: Full teardown to a bare hull.

    • Week 2: Hull flip and stripping.

    • Week 3: A 12-hour “marathon” application of Pettit EZ Prime (3 layers) followed by EZ-Pox topside paint.

    • Week 4: Interior sanding and Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane application.

    • Week 5: Electrical systems upgraded ad new Lexan windshield fitted.

    • Week 6: Reassembly. Paul Krusko joins Nathan Krusko to put the final pieces back together.

  • July 2025: Sea Trials on Lake George, NY with the new Mercury motor.

The Vision Forward

While she is back on the water, the work of a wooden boat is never truly finished. Nathan continues to build upon the current finish, with plans to achieve a thick, high-gloss mirror polish that will reflect the Adirondack mountains for years to come.

“The smells and images of this process stuck with me from childhood… I’m just doing exactly what my father taught me.” — Nathan