Register for Jan. 18 Banquet Now!

The annual WBA Installation banquet is just around the corner, Saturday, January 18, 2014, at the Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson. The curator of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY, Emmett Smith, will speak!

The Banquet is our annual opportunity to see each other looking our best. Besides, it's a great time! The food is always good, the mood always jovial, and the program consistently worthwhile. Register now!

Holiday Party Braves Ice Storm, Welcomes Neighbors

The Donovans and the Wolfes were some of the few, the brave, who made it to the WBA Holiday Party on December 7 in spite of a paralyzing ice storm. Given the number of weather-related cancellations received, the Kanallys decided to open the party to their friends and neighbors.

The plan worked well, so a fun evening was had by all, including New Braunfels residents Brian Fielder and fiancée Karen (above with incoming First Lady Rhonda Wolfe (l). In all, more than thirty people made it to the party, even some fly-in WBAers, the Reichardts of Horseshoe Bay.

WBA Receives Donation of a 1951 Yellow Jacket Boat, Evinrude Motor

		Pic Cyr, WBA member and long-time Yellow Jacket enthusiast donated his dad's 1951 Yellow Jacket Fisherman, a very early and rare example of the marque. A 3 hp 1960 Evinrude came with the boat. David Kanally made the trip to Jeanerette, LA to pick up the boat last month, and before long, WBA members Seb Borrello and Ken Mattice were making regular treks to the Lucas Shop to restore the boat. Pic is keeping track of the restoration on line, as can you, by checking out this periodically updated web page. The plan is to finish the restoration, then sell the boat to a WBA member (the sale price will include one year's dues!) for a very reasonable price...a great way to get into the hobby!

Lucas Shop Keeps Going Through the Winter

Above, Troy Marshall and Robin McGeorge's '51 Chris-Craft Riviera is nearly complete, with just a couple vents and other trim pieces to be added. With the decal on the side and the upholstery done and re-installed, you can almost see yourself cruising across a Texas lake in this beauty.

Below left, Ken Mattice and Seb Borrello apply a liberal coat of CPES to the bottom of Pic Cyr's Yellow Jacket. Since this work was done, additional filling and fairing of the bottom has been done in preparation for the application of two-part epoxy primer. Check the update page for the latest restoration progress and work schedule. Below, right, the trailer procured from Steve Griffitts for the Yellow Jacket has a fresh coat of black paint, white wheels and new tires!

Next Regular Meeting February 20, 2014

Because of the Christmas Party in December and the Banquet in January, our next regular monthly meeting won't be until February. Join us on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 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 will be giving away one of his many boating and woodworking related books as a door prize. The February meeting is our annual planning meeting, so bring all your best ideas as we put together our plans for 2014.

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

Just a quick note to tell you how much fun it's been the last two years serving as WBA president. The WBA is a unique organization in the antique and classic boat hobby, and it's an honor to help lead the organization. I know that our experienced incoming president, Jim Wolfe, will do a great job. He deserves your support and enthusiasm. I'll continue as the Bilge Pump editor and WBA webmaster, as has become our custom. Jim and Rhonda have lots of great ideas, and I look forward to their leadership over the next two years. Special thanks go also to Troy Marshall who has done a very capable job as vice-president the last two years, organizing our month meeting programs and filling in when needed. Thanks, Troy! Our new VP, Steve Griffitts, has a great example to follow!

David

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.