Annual Banquet Well-Attended, Has Great Program!

More than 40 WBA members, boatresses and friends gathered for the Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at the Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson. Above, President and First Lady Jim and Rhonda Wolfe flank Terry Fiest, nationally-known head judge and Chris-Craft Cobra expert, who gave an insightful program on the history of the Cobra. Below, the Wolfes thank Treasurer John Parish for his service to the club. See more pictures here!

Above, Rhonda recognizes Steve Griffitts for his many contributions to the club in his capacity as Vice-President, and below presents Secretary Gay Perry with a token of the club's appreciation for her work in support of the WBA. Special thanks go to Jim and Rhonda for organizing and decorating for the event. The club was happy to have Keels & Wheels co-chairman Paul Merryman in attendance as well, encouraging all to attend that great event May 2-3.

20th Keels & Wheels Date Set: Let's Make a Good Showing!

In a brief span of twenty years, Keels & Wheels has become one of the premier car and boat shows in the nation. This year, Co-Chairs Bob Fuller and Paul Merryman are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the anniversary.		The WBA participates not only in showing member boats, but also by providing volunteer crew members for the launch team. If you're interested in helping out this year, please speak with Robin McGeorge or other regular attendees for details!

WBA Projects Breathe New Life into Old Boats!

(Above) Robin McGeorge and Walter Hill use the shop's gantry and chain haul to pull the 4-cylinder, 60-hp engine out of Robin's newest project, a 15-foot Chris-Craft Cavalier. The guys subsequently lowered the engine onto a cradle in preparation for a refresh.

(Below) Walter Hill does a final inspection on the repairs he made to the bottom of his Owens outboard cruiser before the boat is lowered to a level position.

(Above) Robin's Cavalier, named "Vixen", has come home to roost after belonging to a couple other WBA members over the past 15 years or so. Originally a utility, the boat received a runabout configuration and decking thanks to Robin's original restoration late in the last century.

(Below) Marc Hill, Scott Myers, Robin McGeorge, Walter Hill, Ken Mattice and Mark Wilson carefully lower Walter's Owens cruiser. (Seb Borrello photo).

Annual Planning Meeting Feb. 19. Bring Your Best Ideas!

Our important annual planning meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 19th, 2015 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.

We'll be laying out the calendar for the coming year and making decisions about the activities we'd like to have, so it's important for you to attend. And, as always, we'll have generous helpings of fellowship and Italian food.

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

Many WBA members know Mark Webster as Mr. "Plastic Fantastic" for his racy Chris-Craft XK 21. But now, he's rejoined the woody crowd with his newly acquired 1959 Chris-Craft Continental, the newest addition to the shop in Lucas.

Mark says, "I could use some help in the near future in getting the 283 engine hooked up and running. The engine has been mounted but as yet has not been run in."

Long-time Lucas shop rats may recognize the Continental as WBA member emeritus Chris Christian's former boat. Built for pleasure cruising and rough water, the big Continental will be a great project for Mark and anybody else who's willing to help.

And finally, please take a look in the shed or garage for leftover parts or other salable items you can donate to the club. Bring them to any WBA meeting, or contact David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com for pickup.