Complete with a Project Update from Robin's Nest!
March, 2024
Conroe Rendezvous April 13 - Reserve Now!

Members of the WBA, SWACBS and the Antique Outboard Motor Club are returning to Seven Coves for our third annual Rendezvous at Lake Conroe on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The Landing at Seven Coves is a condominium complex within the Seven Coves neighborhood in Willis, TX. The address is 7031 Kingston Cove Lane, Willis, TX 77318. The nightly rate for a 1-bedroom unit is $211 and for a 2-bedroom unit the rate  is $248 (these prices include taxes). There is a $20 charge per day for the boat slips. Be sure to request a boat slip when making your reservation. In order to claim one of these units, please contact the rental office and speak to Sarah or Maddie, 936-856-5501. Contact Lisa Robinson for more information at llr77586@gmail.com

 

 

Keels & Wheels May 4-5 - Bring Your Boat!

 

 

We are extremely fortunate to have one of the country's finest Concours d'Elegance right here in Texas, Keels & Wheels, in Seabrook, on Clear Lake. Each year, members of the WBA spiff up their boats for land or water display at the show, and also serve as lauch crew and even judges for the event.

You are strongly urged to participate in this year's Keels & Wheels. You can find information on registering your boat, lodging, and much more about the event on the Keels & Wheels web site.

There are a few spots left on the launch crew volunteer list. If you would like to be on the launch crew, contact David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com

Let's have a great WBA turnout at Keels & Wheels!
Donated Continental Has New Owners!

Just days ago, members of the WBA were informed of the availability of a 1959, 18' Chris-Craft Continental project donated to the club by WBA member Robert Aldrich of Fort Worth.

Within minutes of the distribution of an email detailing the offering, WBA members Christine and Mark McKeehan of Frisco expressed interest, and after getting answers to some important questions about the restoration process, decided to acquire the boat and to get the restoration underway.

Plans are now in the making for getting the boat to the Robin McGeorge Boat Shop in Lucas. This will be a great project opportunity for our shop crew, which you are welcome to join. Congratulations, Chris and Mark!

 

 

February Meeting Features YJ Seat Spring Tutorial

 

 

The WBA held a very well-attended monthly meeting on February 15 at Two Guys from Italy in Dallas. In addition to the regular business of the club, the agenda included a presentation by David Kanally on the fabrication of "Flote 'n Ride" laminated birch seat springs for Yellow Jacket Boats.

A couple years ago, the shop crew was faced with the need to fabricate seat springs to replace deteriorated springs in the Hallams' Trigger and in the Nevada Yellow Jacket, now owned by Danny Beaver.

David brought strips of birch veneer and the jigs made by the shop crew based on templates drawn up by Bob Adair (we miss you, Bob!) to demonstrate the fabrication process. So far, eight such springs have been made by members.
Project Updates from the Robin McGeorge Boat Shop and Beyond!

(Above) Joel Odom positions his completed Yellow Jacket Catalina for its trip home. He left the Evinrude cowl at the shop for an update to its paint and graphics.

(Above) Richard Wolff does some fairing just below the water line of his Century Resorter, Boo Boo.

(Above) Carl Lapiska filled old screw holes and put backing plates under his foredeck underlayment, getting ready for planks.

(Above) Phil Wolff has completed the installation of battens on the bottom of his Coronado. Great router work!

 

(Above) Bill Mott removes the old logo plates from the cowl of Joel Odom's Evinrude 35 hp, to ready it for a proper 1959 paint scheme and new decals.

(Above) Ted Dysart used the shop gantries to lift his Sabre off its trailer for bottom sanding and painting.

(Above) Alan Oppenheimer and Chris Sterlacci pose just before the successful installation of the windshield on their Sabre.

(Above) Barney Gulley has fitted the foredeck, king plank and toe rails on his '57 Yellow Jacket Riviera.

Next Monthly Meeting March 21, Featuring Aluminum Alloy Casting!

boatOur next meeting will be Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Two Guys From Italy in Dallas. You'll receive an email reminder for the meeting a few days prior. We'll be continuing our door prize tradition, giving out an e-book, or print book of the lucky winner's choice, or a complimentary design of a boat show placard. Our presentation this month will be the technique for casting aluminum alloy parts by Barney Gulley. Barney has been building epoxy/ply construction boats for years.  But when he acquired a 1957 Yellow Jacket Riviera for restoration, he found a need to acquire some new skills. His Yellow Jacket came as a shell and deck framing, that is all.  No motor, no lights, and most importantly, no aluminum castings for the bow handle, deck bollard (cleats) and chocks or the rear handles.   Instead of sourcing spares, Barney decided to make them himself, using a set of YJ hardware donated by Bob Macaluso for this very purpose. Barney is self-taught thanks to YouTube and on March 21, 2024, Barney will show us how to cast aluminum alloy parts. The discussion will include the trials and tribulations of (a) Making a pattern to create a mold from, (b) Sand Casting vs Plaster molds/Mold preparation, (c) Aluminum alloys and the casting process, (d) Cast part quality from the mold, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If you can't join in person, you'll be using the Zoom application for your cell phone or your home computer. To make things easier at meeting time, it would be a good idea for you to go to your normal smart phone app store to download Zoom Cloud Meetings, or go to Zoom.us on your home computer and sign up. Prior to the meeting, you will be sent an email with a link to join the meeting, and further instructions. Those who wait to download Zoom will also receive a link to do that just before the meeting starts. If you are among those who need a few attempts to be successful with technology, you may want to get the downloading taken care of ahead of time.

Our meetings are a great opportunity to socialize with fellow WBA members and to talk shop on questions on everything from paint and varnish to carburetor kits. Please join us on Zoom to be a part of our monthly fellowship!

Shop Talk and Musings: A New Project at the Shop!

We are very much looking forward to the next 12 months or so, as we take on the restoration of Chris and Mark McKeehan's 1959 Chris-Craft Continental. The Continental was a very popular and successful model, especially the 1959, with its 283 V-8, which gave it more spunk than its earlier 6-cylinder models had. The McKeehans have already expressed their interest in bringing the boat back to as near original condition as possible. This is a great opportunity for you, too, if you've got engine or woodworking skills (or both!), and would like to participate in the project. Please let David Kanally know if you'd like to help.

And finally, please take a look in the shed or garage for leftover parts or other salable items you would like to donate to the Club. Contact David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com for more info.