WBA Restores Cutty Sark!

As any good follower of British maritime history knows, the Cutty Sark is one of only three ships in the Core Collection of National Historic Ships Register. And on May 21, 2007 she was badly damaged by fire.

But thanks to the valiant efforts of the WBA, requiring substantial enlargement of the Lucas shop, the Cutty Sark is on schedule for reopening in 2012. April Fools!

Yellow Jacket Project Price Reduced!

No foolin' now, this '58 Yellow Jacket Riviera project boat could make the perfect entry-level restoration for the right WBA member. The boat has had a new transom installed. The hull is sound, with one good glass repair on the bottom near the transom. The old decking has been removed, and three sheets of marine plywood for re-decking are included with the sale (plywood and transom alone are worth the asking price!)

Original hardware includes bow handle, transom handles and very rare Yellow Jacket windshield brackets. Laminated seat springs are there, but are rotted, and can be used as patterns for new. Deck framing and gunwales are OK. No motor or trailer, so you'll need to bring a trailer to pick everything up. See 33 pictures of the project by clicking here. Contact David Kanally for details. Price now $500.

Baldwin Recounts Lawson Center Creation

For generations, L&S Aero Marine served the boating community at New York State's Chautauqua Lake. Ever since he was a kid vacationing there with his family, WBA member and summer Chautauqua resident Bill Baldwin has known the folks at L&S, so when it came time to decide to do with the aging hulk that the lakeside building had become, Bill and a resourceful group of associates there conspired to create a maritime museum on the site, the Lawson Boating Heritage Center.

The museum's construction has progressed smartly, so now

Bill and his fellow trustees are turning their focus to fundraising for ongoing operations. Thanks for a great presentation, Bill! More here.

And Bill Also Restores Boats!

...And when he isn't helping with the Lawson Heritage Center, Bill can be found (at least in the cooler months) working on a restoration project or two in the WBA shops in Lucas.

This 1962 Cruisers Inc. lapstrake outboard is newly bedecked with some very nice 3/8" marine mahogany plywood. Restoration continues at a pace reflecting Bill's varied interests.

Also in Lucas, Yellow Jacket/Willis Hybrid Nears Completion

Above, Troy Marshall puts yet another coat of varnish on the gorgeous mahogany deck originally installed on the Yellow Jacket hull by Pop Willis at Willis Boat Works in Dallas in 1957. Below, the 1968 Evinrude 35 hp twin starts right up, and looks like it just came out of the showroom.

Above, drink holders on the seat backs were de rigeur for former owner Bob York, whose furniture making hobby translated well into finishing off the boat's interior in 1957. Below, Bob's skill is revealed in the dovetail joints of the under-seat storage box he custom built for the boat.

Keels & Wheels is Almost Here!!

It's not too late to sign up for Keels & Wheels, the premier antique car and wooden boat show in the Southwest, April 30-May 1, 2011. Just a few hours' drive and you're there on the sumptuous grounds of the Lakewood Yacht Club, drooling over the finest antique and classic boats and cars you'll ever see anywhere! Want to get in free? Volunteer for the launching or judging team by contacting Bob Van Guilder.

White Rock Centennial Could Still Use 8 Boats!

We're getting down to the wire on commitments for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show your boat in the White Rock Centennial Celebration on White Rock Lake, June 24-26, 2011. Events include an open house on the first night, boat show on Saturday and Sunday, and the "Beach Party of the Century" going on all day and all evening on Saturday, complete with catered lunch and dinner food, at the historic Bath House. If you haven't already let David Kanally know that you will be there, please do so today. Our friends at For the Love of the Lake are counting on us! See their website. Check out the parade route.

Next Monthly Meeting is April 21, 2011--Don't Miss It!

Join us at the Midway Point on Thursday, April 21st for the next monthly meeting of the WBA. As our season begins, we'll be planning the carpools to Keels & Wheels, finalizing details of the White Rock Centennial, and putting the finishing touches on the Ride 'n Show at Lake Ray Hubbard. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 21st at the Midway Point at LBJ and Midway Road.

Join us for a light meal and moderate libation at 5:30 p.m. at the Midway Point prior to the meeting.

Dues Blues!

You know who you are, and after today there's no more April foolin', so save us a stamp and send in your $35 for your 2011 dues to: John Parish, 4415 Rosser Square, Dallas, TX 75244. Thanks to all who have already renewed!

Shop Talk and Musings:

Over the past month, we've had a lot of activity going on in the planning of the Ride 'n Show, which will take place on the docks of Rockwall on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, August 26-28. We're talking with Scott Self about a club cruise on the 40-foot wooden catamaran, Sea Wolf, and negotiating with the hotels and local restaurants for our planned accomomodations and meals (thank you, Elizabeth Webster!). Stay tuned for full details next month!

And, finally:

Please take a look in the shed or garage for the leftover parts or other saleable items you can donate to the club. Bring them to any WBA meeting, or contact Phil Wolff at myoldboats@gmail.com for pickup.