The years 1984-1989 were a period of rapid growth for the Company. The brother's flourishing restoration business continued. The decision was also made at this time to seek out famous old Gar Woods which, when completed would be used as a springboard to promote the company and its new line of Gar Woods. This strategy turned out to be well founded. In 1986 the "Snail", a 33' Baby Gar with her 12-cylinder aircraft engine entered the boat show circuit by attending shows throughout the northeast. She not only won first place in each show entered but finished the season by being voted Antique Boat of The Year at the prestigious Clayton Boat Show. In the following year the "Snail" went on to win Queen of the River, the highest award an antique speedboat can attain.