Complete with a Project Update from Robin's Nest!
March, 2026

Register for April 25-26 Keels & Wheels Now!

 

 

It's that wonderful time of year again, when we begin planning in earnest for the upcoming Keels & Wheels Concours d'Elegance, slated for April 25-26 at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX! Register your boat now for a land or in-the-water display!

As you know, the WBA provides the volunteer launch crew for the event. Duties begin Thursday evening, April 23, with a 6 p.m. briefing at the SpringHill Suites Hotel followed by a welcome dinner. Launch duties begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

If you'd like to be a part of the launch crew, let David Kanally know ASAP. There are only a few slots left. Let's make this the best WBA representation at the show ever, both in WBA boats and launch crew volunteers!

May 9: Wood Waves & Wheels Registration Now Open!

Wood, Waves & Wheels is this season's first, and one of the best, car and boat shows in DFW, so plan now on bringing your boat for a fun day. The WBA has been well represented at this show for many years, and we'd like to carry on that tradition this year.

To register for the event, please drop Trey Bull an email and let him know about your boat. He'll fill you in on any necessary details.

This is a one-day event on the lovely lakeside grounds of the Fort Worth Boat Club on Eagle Mountain Lake. A wonderful, varied array of classic cars grace the expansive grounds, while antique and classic boats from canoes to cruisers are on display along the docks and on land. Since this is the first local outing of the season, come early and take your boat for a run on Eagle Mountain Lake.

 

 

"Suddenly in Command" Highlights February WBA Meeting!

 

 

Joel Beal of the Coast Guard Auxiliary gave an important safety presentation to the WBA membership at the February 19th club meeting. If you would like to download the presentation, you can do so here.

The meeting also included the customary club business including updates on shows, meetings, programs, finances, membership and projects. Minutes are mailed to all dues-paying members.

You'll also receive a reminder of our March meeting a few days prior, so plan on joining us in person or on Zoom!
Happy 95th Birthday, Lew White!

We're very happy to share the news that our own Lew White of Plano recently celebrated his 95th birthday! His yard was adorned with an elaborate birthday display organized by Lew's daughter, Deb. The display included a rendering of a motor boat, as well as plenty of visual excitement to let the neighbors know about Lew's big day.

Lew's been an active member for many years, and has participated in restorations and even new boat builds. Projects included two Yellow Jackets, a Dallas-built Willis runabout and a sailing pram built from plans. A very Happy Birthday to you, Lew!

 

 

Updates from the Robin McGeorge Boat Shop and Beyond!

Jim Donovan gives Phil Wolff a hand applying barrier coat to the bottom of Phil's Century Coronado.

Dan Stober is redoing the deck of his big Thompson outboard in his home shop on Stober Mountain.

Mark McKeehan and Bill Mott buff out the motor surround for Alan Oppenheimer and Pat Vinson's Mark 75.

When a motor revs up at the shop, all the guys show up. Here's David Kanally, Jim Donovan, Bill Mott and Alan Oppenheimer listening to the Mark 75 run.

Ted Dysart and Jim Donovan bring welcome distraction to Carl Lapiska, who is seen here sanding coat #7 of varnish on the deck of his Super Sport.

Chris McKeehan folds up into a tight spot to sand the hull sides on the interior of the donated Yellow Jacket.

The bottom of Phil's Coronado is looking very fair and smooth with this first barrier coat on!

Ted Dysart stopped by recently to plane a couple planks for his Century, with Jim Donovan's help.

Following buffing, the surround for the big 6-cylinder Mercury is looking brand new!

Following the successful motor test on the Mark 75, Alan Oppenheimer cleans the housing in preparation for painting. Original colors and repro decals will be used.

WBA president Phil Brosseau has been refreshing the below-the-waterline sections of the sides and transom of his Chris-Craft Cavalier, using CPES and fairing compound.

Stripping and sanding by Chris McKeehan, Chris Sterlacci and David Kanally reveal a nice mahogany and birch interior.

Next Monthly Meeting March 19, 2026

boatOur next meeting will be Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Two Guys From Italy in Dallas. Come at 5:30 and join us for the pre-meeting dinner. You'll receive an email reminder for the meeting a few days prior. We'll be continuing our door prize tradition, giving out an e-book, or print book of the lucky winner's choice, or a complimentary design of a boat show placard. This month's presentation will be made by Chris Sterlacci, who will be discussing safe towing of boats. Chris has been researching the topic in preparation for the Century Partners' trip to Tahoe in August.

If you can't join in person, you'll be using the Zoom application for your cell phone or your home computer. To make things easier at meeting time, it would be a good idea for you to go to your normal smart phone app store to download Zoom Cloud Meetings, or go to Zoom.us on your home computer and sign up. Prior to the meeting, you will be sent an email with a link to join the meeting, and further instructions. Those who wait to download Zoom will also receive a link to do that just before the meeting starts. If you are among those who need a few attempts to be successful with technology, you may want to get the downloading taken care of ahead of time.

Our meetings are a great opportunity to socialize with fellow WBA members and to talk shop on questions on everything from paint and varnish to carburetor kits. Please join us on Zoom to be a part of our monthly fellowship!

Shop Talk and Musings: The Passing of Donny Lawson

With shock and sorrow, we bring you news of the passing of longtime WBA member Donny Lawson, following a valiant fight with aggressive cancer.  Donny's dad, Lew Lawson, now 96, is a founding member of the WBA. Donny and his dad have been active members, and both have attended the Pier 121 show many times over the years. Donny's memorial service is slated for February 28 in Granbury.

Our deepest sympathies go to Lew and to Donny's wife Kerri.

And finally, please take a look in the shed or garage for leftover parts or other salable items you would like to donate to the Club. Contact David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com for more info.