| Including an update from our Lucas Shop! | March, 2009 |
At the suggestion of WBA activist and restoration guerilla Troy Marshall, the club held an abbreviated planning meeting on February 19, then headed for Garland for a visit to Dowd's Antique and Vintage Tools. Dowd has been selling old tools for twelve years now, and his collection fills several rooms in the shops at his home. The group was greeted by Tracy Dowd, who had prepared homemade apple cobbler and coffee. While the WBA members munched away, Lynn gave informative demonstrations of planing, sharpening and dovetailing. Later the group perused the shop with the opportunity to purchase the tools of their choice. Dowd's website has more details. Special thanks to the Dowds for opening their shops to us, and to Troy for this great program idea. What's your great program idea? Let Bob Van Guilder know!
Lynn Dowd tells the plane truth about traditional woodworking hand tools (left). Some of his favorite planes (right)
Member's Artwork Preserves Memory of White's Cruiser
When Lew White finished building a 16-foot Rutland Cruiser in 1955, he didn't take as many pictures of it as he now wishes he had. In fact, a single, rather fuzzy black and white image of the craft is all that remained to remind Lew of his handiwork...that is, until now. Lew had the idea of calling on his friend and colleague, fellow WBA member Bob Adair, whose design and rendering skills are well known to the club. Bob took the old photo, and using additional sketches and descriptions given by Lew, produced a full-color, highly detailed rendering of the boat, which now Lew has hung proudly on the wall in his nautically themed den. Lew showed the rendering at the February 19th WBA meeting.
Walter Hill studies Bob Adair's rendering of Lew White's 1955 Rudledge Cruiser at the February WBA meeting while Charles Bowser looks on. In addition to the rendering, the display includes the original photo, a picture of the shop where Lew built the boat, and a picture of the boat's Stuart Turner inboard engine.
Troy Marshall's 1948 22' Hacker Triple
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Clockwise from above: 1. More and more varnished mahogany panels appear as Troy and Robin painstakingly assemble the boat's interior. 2. Troy decided to pre-finish much of the interior brightwork, especially in areas that would be difficult to access like the glove boxes behind the forward seat. So these pieces are cut and dry-fitted first, then removed for staining and varnishing before they are returned for final assembly. 3. Before too long, the Hacker's rebuilt Chrysler Hemi engine will be lowered onto the awaiting stringers and attached to the propeller shaft. Troy and Robin figure it will be easier to position and adjust the engine with the sides of the boat still open, rather than waiting until later, when the craft is completely closed in. Troy figures the boat will do 40 mph when she's finally finished. More than one other WBA member believes that number will be higher. |
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WBA Seeks Yellow Jacket Boat Owners
(l) Roy Rogers, spokesperson for Yellow Jacket does a publicity shot in the late '50s; (r) a restored Yellow Jacket today
In part to encourage growth in our ranks and in part to help assure the preservation of a Texas-built wooden boat marque, the WBA has agreed to make a special effort to invite Yellow Jacket boat owners to become members of the club. Yellow Jackets were built in Denison, TX from 1949-1959. The cold-molded hulls are light, but the transoms are stout enough to support surprisingly high horsepower motors. Recently, your Bilge Pump Editor and WBA member Lew White ventured to Denison where they were hosted by Chuck Pool, local businessman and Yellow Jacket owner. They visited the old Yellow Jacket factory buildings and heard details of the company's history. If you know of any Yellow Jacket owners or any Yellow Jackets hiding out in barns or garages, please drop David Kanally a note or give him a ring at 940-395-2742, or go to the Yellow Jacket Invitation Webpage.
March 19 Meeting to Finalize Events Plan for 2009
Join us on March 19 for our monthly meeting as we finalize our event plans for the year. At the February meeting, we began the process, and we decided on the dates for our traditional events, but we still have a few things to nail down. There's also a good program in the works that you won't want to miss! Program details will be sent with the meeting reminder later this month. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19at 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!
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.
