Including the latest Shop Crop!
October, 2012

Last Chance! Register for Ride 'n Show Today!

The time is almost here! The Annual Ride 'n Show is just around the corner, Oct. 12-13. The nicely appointed Hilton Rockwall Lakeside Hotel at Bella Harbor will once again be the host hotel of our annual Ride 'n Show, at this breathtaking venue on Lake Ray Hubbard. The City of Rockwall has authorized our use of the docks there, and we're looking forward to some beautiful October weather.

  

We'll kick things off on Friday at the WBA Hospitality Suite at the Hilton Bella Harbor (just ask at the front desk) beginning at 5:30 p.m., then moving to the 6:30 dinner at neighboring Luna de Noche. The Show will be Saturday, and our famous run will be on Sunday morning. Even if you don't bring a boat, be sure and attend the hospitaltiy events and dinners! Register Now!
White Rock Lake a Big Hit!

Bypassers, runners, dog walkers and bicyclists making their Saturday tour around White Rock Lake on September 8 were treated to a unique showing of classic boats by members of the WBA. The White Rock Boat Club hosted the show on its docks and in its parking lot.

  

Willis boats were featured in the show, including Lew White's and Jo and John Indrieri's on land (above left), and Charlie Varner's (above, second from right with yellow bottom). Thanks to all who brought their boats on this ideal North Texas day for a great show.
Rathbun, Thompson Win at ACBS International Show at Table Rock!

WBA members made us all proud at the annual ACBS International Meeting and Boat Show at Table Rock Lake, MO. The Bilge Pump staff was on hand at the awards ceremony to catch Chip and Marilyn Rathbun, who won best preserved antique outboard for their '42 Century. Chip's rare little outboard has a long string of wins in shows all over the place. Watch video.

  

Veteran restorer Clay Thompson and wife Patty were there, too, with a big win for Most Original Boat for their 1949 Chris-Craft 25' Sportsman. The event was held at the Bent Hook Marina the famous Big Cedar Lodge on the eastern shore of Table Rock Lake. Many attendees arrived early in the week and were able to participate in a number of cruises, some over 40 miles in length, and in other pre-show activities. A number of WBA members attended, and enjoyed the pristine beauty of the southern Missouri hills and the company of wooden boaters from around the world, including 8 members of the newly formed ACBS European Chapter, Bordeaux, France.

Vintage Films on Vintage Boats: Troy Presents at Sept. Meeting

WBA VP Troy Marshall prepared a unique presentation of vintage boating films he found during hours of research on the Internet. Still photos here represent the films featuring the building and racing of Gar Wood's champion Miss America boats.

The presentation included a variety of other vintage films as well reminding the WBA membership of the long tradition of wooden boat building and racing.

Thanks, Troy, for a memorable and fun presentation!
Lucas Shop Progress is Remarkable!

Marc Hill's '68 Grand Prix (above) is looking more and more ready for fine sanding and stain...but he's tackling some interior woodworking first.

Below, Mark Wilson's matching Grand Prix is having some major carpentry done on the foredeck, where a previous use of epoxy is making plank removal a real challenge.

Below, Troy Marshall peers into the engine bay of the 1967 Super Sport he and Robin McGeorge are restoring. Bottom is done, sides are stained and sealed.

  

Above, Marc Hill's foredeck is all but complete, looking nicely fitted and sanded.

Below, Mark Wilson's bottom is complete, and hull sides are nearly finished. Foredeck work continues before remaining side planks will be fastened. Both boats bear the sleek lines of late '60s Chris-Crafts.

Below, the Chris 300, 427 cu. in. monster that will fill that bay once the boat is complete. The restoration of the motor is complete, and she bench tests perfectly.

Next Meeting is October 18, 2012. Don't miss it!

Join us on Thursday, October 18th at 7 p.m. at Two Guys from Italy at 11637 Webb Chapel Road, just south of Forest Road. WBA Treasurer and benefactor John Parish has begun a monthly giveaway of one of his many boating and woodworking related books as a door prize. You must be present to win. The October meeting will feature "The New Woodworker Handbook" by Tom Hinz. Our program will be given by Bill Mott on "White Rock Lake Family History." Bill's a devoted wooden boat fan, and is best known locally as a car guy. You'll want to be here for this one! Join us for a light meal and moderate libation at 5:30 p.m. at Two Guys from Italy prior to the meeting. We encourage you to join us for dinner, so we'll always have the required minimum number of diners to avoid a room charge.

Shop Talk and Musings:

Please make an extra effort now to register for the Ride 'n Show. our registration is open for the event at Rockwall, October 12-13, and we need to know who's coming for the Friday (free!) dinner and we need more boats for the display. We know, all you Texas and OU fans, that this is YOUR weekend, but take heart, there's a big screen TV in the bar at the Hilton Bella Harbor. It was good to see such a strong Texas showing at Table Rock Lake Sept. 19-22 at the ACBS Show. I had a chance to present the history of Yellow Jacket Boats and attend the After Glow Party, which the WBA helped sponsor. That's me with Roy Rogers, who was Tommy Holmes' guest at the After Glow. Roy was a spokesperson and partner in Yellow Jacket boats in the '50s. He was a little stiff, but kept his famous smile on all evening. Tommy also introduced our eight French ACBSers to some good old fashioned corn squeezin's, which Tommy called "moonshine" (which doesn't translate well into French). They call it "eau de vie" or "the water of life!" Tommy seemed glad to learn just that little bit of French, and the French guys seemed happy that they had a taste of the kind of beverage that made Prohibition famous. On an even brighter note, WBA godfather Mike Gomes has done it again...he donated the $500 proceeds from the sale of his woodworker's bench to the WBA. The ever faithful Phil Wolff is the bench's lucky new owner. Generosity is alive and well, my friends. And, as demonstrated by Phil, the early bird gets the worm. Thank you, Mike.

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 David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com for pickup.