I have received a mess of emails lately regarding yachting caps. As you know, Lancaster hat Co. closed it’s doors a year ago and we lost a wonderful resource for the real deal. Lancaster was the hat maker to the stars for close to 80 years. They closed there doors because of California employment laws and over seas competition. Well, now what. Well, turns out Midway hat Company has also been around for a looong time in Chicago. And they make captains hats. They are less expensive and faster delivery. And get this, you can buy them one at a time directly. They are not as high end as the Lancaster caps. But not cheap crap either. Here is the link to there site.
One big difference is that if you want the gold boulion, it has to be done as a patch not directly put on the hat.
Here are some images of the factory in Chicago. Fellow woody Boater Chad Durren went on a Woody Boater tour of the facility.
Nice looking hat! Still very glad I got in on the last order from Lancaster. (even though I’ve not had the guts to wear it in public )
Git it. Wore it. Looked dam spiffy!
GOT it . . . grrrr
I can attest to the quality of Midway caps. I had one custom made for bartender Lily last year.
Will there be a custom official “Woody Boatar” version?
Chad and I have talked about it, the ones they sell are on the low end side, you will need to upgrade yours.. Thats what the woody Boater model would be.
Do these hats expand at all ?
I assume that after I actually launch my boat and the allocades start coming in that my head will swell a bit.
Has anyone experienced this ?
Okay accolades
Yes, but it shrinks seconds after you break down or start leaking and start crying like a little girl
Head becomes absolutely miniscule when the spouse discovers the cost of the new bottom or varnish.
Mark, funny you should ask.
Mayer experienced that when he “won” the Arabian / XK-19 Shootout last December. His hat actually popped off and would no longer fit!
It was soon followed by deflation and a terrible case of the DT’s when he tallied up all those loose bribes and hasty promises he made.
It’s a sad affair. Really it is.
Alex, you are a sad, sad man.
I actually wore my WB hat once while cruising the lake in my Chris Craft and a boat load of kids actually made fun of me. That was a sad day.
PS. But the now-very-stretched-out hat didn’t resume it’s original size. I understand he now uses it to bail out that very Century. So it’s a happy ending after all.