Including more news you can use from Lucas!
March, 2014

WBA Receives Donated Wooden Canoe!

 

 

Just when we needed it most, the WBA very gladly received the donation of a 2000 Chesapeake Light Craft 16' lapstrake canoe, built and donated by loyal WBA member Dave Parker of Seabrook, TX. Dave has donated the canoe in memory of Richard E. Peterson, longtime WBA leader and advocate. The canoe is obviously in fabulous condition, with no wood damage whatsoever. She needs a coat or two of paint on the hull, and a light sanding and re-varnishing on the gunwales and inside. We love the light colored interior, but may go darker on the hull color. The plan is to involve club members in the refinishing effort, then auction the canoe off to help with our shop-related funding needs. Think about participating in this project, and about buying this beautiful canoe! We'll be posting updates on the WBA web site.

February Meeting Addresses 2014 Finances

In addition to reviewing the events on the calendar for 2014, the annual WBA planning meeting addressed the financial situation of the club for the coming year. We have enjoyed budget surpluses over the past couple years, and have now managed to spend them on such niceties as the record-busting Friday night party at the Ride 'n Show in Rockwall last September, where a record crowd of over 57 people managed to run up a hefty tab. We also subsidized the Annual Banquet for a pretty penny, and bought a trailer and restoration supplies, and paid expenses for the Club's Yellow Jacket project boat.

  

The sale of the Yellow Jacket to a WBA member will retrieve its costs, and measures are being taken to be sure our 2014 events are self supporting. Most importantly, we have been paying rent on one of the big shop stalls at Lucas for several months, a cost normally borne by a member working on a boat project. This situation must be addressed in the short term to keep this drain on our treasury at bay. If you have a project that you've been waiting for the right time to begin, now is the right time! If you'd like to access the Lucas Shop to work on your boat, let Jim Wolfe know right away.
And More From Lucas...

Above, Robin McGeorge and Troy Marshall replace deck battens on their newest venture, a 1936 Chris-Craft 19' runabout. As soon as the deck is reinforced properly, they flip the boat to begin bottom work.

The Club's 1951 Yellow Jacket project is moving along nicely. Above, Seb Borrello nails a piece of rub rail on the transom before trimming the gunwale rub rail to cap it.

  

Above, Robin McGeorge fits a deck batten. Using pieces of mahogany from their stockpile, Robin ripped, planed and maneuvered the pieces in place for a tight fit. They'll use old decking to secure things while the boat is inverted

Above, David Kanally nails on the port rub rail. The mahogany half-round was steamed in the Club's steamer made by Seb Borrello. Follow progress here!

Next Regular Meeting March 20, 2014

Don't miss our next regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Mar. 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.

Steve Griffitts will present a program entitled, "Restoration Techniques". Plus we'll have plenty of fellowship as always. Come find out what all the buzz is about!

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

We're off to another great start to a promising year here at the WBA! Looks like the regular annual events we attend are back, as well as some new ones. Plus, we've just received a generous donation of a wooden canoe! In addition, we're nearing completion of the Yellow Jacket project, which will be ready in time for Keels & Wheels in early May. We have several opportunities for you to participate in Keels & Wheels this year.

1. Launch Crew: Join fellow WBA members to help K&W participants launch their boats at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook. Requires arrival late Thursday, May 1. The WBA's support of this event results in a nice donation from the SW chapter of the ACBS, so this effort is not only fun and useful, it's an important part of our financial success.

2. Transporting boats: We have at least three boats that need a tow to Keels & Wheels. Registration costs will be taken care of...all you need to do is pick up the boats and tow them to the show, then bring them back. Contact David Kanally at 940-395-2742 for details.

3. Showing your boat. If you have a boat project nearing completion, or if you've always wanted to show your boat at Keels & Wheels, now's the time. Entry forms are available on the K&W web site at http://keels-wheels.com . Mid-March is the no-foolin' deadline to get your boat's photo in the program!

And, finally: Please take a look in the shed or garage for the 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.