| Volume 4, Issue 4 April, 2007 |
The 1949 film featuring the Albany to New York Outboard Marathon was the WBA March Program
The WBA took a journey back in time to 1949 during its March 15th monthly meeting at the Midway Point Restaurant in Dallas. President David Kanally showed a classic promotional video produced by Mercury Marine featuring its then-popular 10- and 25-hp outboards in the 130-,mile annual endurance race.
The film, narrated by legendary announcer Paul Harvey, captured the true excitement of the event in the open and turbulent waters of the lower Hudson River. The ultra-light boats, some reaching speeds near 40 mph in the wake-churned river, made for some near-catastrophic adventures in racing. The amateur racers, hailing from around the country, helped bring public attention to the performance and endurance of these normally tame stock fishing motors.
Mercury used the films to bolster sales in the post-war economic boom that saw power boating expand to reach middle America with small, affordable outboard boats and motors. The DVD version of these films is available at USMilitaryVideos.com.
As has been our custom the past several years, the WBA will provide the launch and haul-out ramp crew for the 2007 Keels and Wheels to be held at Clear Lake May 5 and 6. This is an important service our club provides to this nationally-recognized event. If you would like to help out, please contact David Kanally or Robin McGeorge for details.
Join us at the WBA Shop in Lucas for a day of cleanup and preparation of spare parts for sale on eBay! The event, organized by webmaster and eBay Meister Phil Wolff, is intended to ready some valuable merchandise for the benefit of our clubs treasury (which can always use a boost!). No particular mechanical skill is required, just a willingness to get your hands a little dirty and enjoy some work time with your fellow skippers. Contact Phil for directions and details.
You won't want to miss this presentation by accomplished engine man Jim Wolfe. Jim will explain the basics of 4-cycle and 2-cycle motor operation for all of us who are less than familiar with the inner workings of our power plants. Jim's presentation will go into cams, dwell, timing and common issues that arise with classic boat motors. Please join us for a great meeting on April 19th, at 7 p.m. at Midway Point Restaurant.
We still have a few monthly meeting opportunities for programs for the year. Put on your thinking cap and come up with an idea for a program. Please come to the next meeting prepared to select your month.
Join us for a light meal and moderate libation at 5:30 p.m., April 19 at Midway Point Restaurant,12801 Midway Road, on the Southwest corner of Midway and LBJ!
Please take a look in the shed or garage for the leftover parts you can donate to the club. Bring them to the meeting, to the parts day on April 14, or contact David Kanally at david@historywithheart.com for pickup.
