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Robin McGeorge Laid to Rest on Saturday

Along with members of Robin's family and neighbors, dozens of members and spouses from the Wooden Boat Association paid their respects at both the visitation on Friday evening and at the graveside service on Saturday, April 29, at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas. Robin, who had been a mentor, teacher and dear friend to many of us, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023. He was 93.

Robin's daughters, Jamie and Missie, decided that Robin should go to his final resting place dressed in a Chris-Craft sweatshirt. The visitation room was decorated with boat models, photos of Robin working at the shop with many of us, and trophies he had earned. As important as the Club was to Robin over the past 30 years, he proved to be even more valuable to us. Rest in Peace, Robin.

2023 Keels & Wheels This Weekend!

The time is here! The boats have been buffed and the travel plans made for Keels & Wheels Concours d'Elegance, this weekend, May 5-7 at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX. Former registrants have received printed invitations in the mail. The show gathers some of the finest antique and classic boats and cars in the nation. The theme this year is "The Need for Speed - Racing Through the Years", so there will be quite an array of exciting boats to see. As usual, the WBA will be providing the launch crew for the event. We're thankful for the great volunteers who support this effort every year. This should be a great event! The WBA launch crew will gather at the SpringHill Suites for a briefing at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, and begin launching bright and early Friday morning. See you there!

WBA Secretary and Eagle Mountain Classic Boat Club President Trey Bull invites you to bring your boat to the 2023 Wood, Waves & Wheels show on May 13th at the Fort Worth Boat Club on Eagle Mountain Lake.

The WBA has supported this show faithfully over the years, and we plan on continuing that tradition in 2023. The show includes the water and land displays of classic boats from canoes to cruisers, as well as a rich variety of antique and classic cars and motorcycles. The Fort Worth Boat Club has undergone extensive remodelling, and will be a treat to see. There'll be some good food, too!

Join your fellow WBA members and friends for this great show. Let Trey Bull know if you can attend.

April 22 Conroe Rendezvous a Fun Time!

Members and friends of the WBA, Southwest Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and the Antique Outboard Motor Club gathered at Lake Conroe for the April 22 Rendezvous organized by Lisa and Lindy Robinson.

The group had good weather, and plenty of time on the water, complemented, as usual, with good fellowship, food, and moderate libation.

This marks the second iteration of this annual event, with hopes that the tradition will continue well into the future. Conroe is one of the few constant-level lakes in the state, and boasts a good choice of lodging and dining opportunities. You can see many more images of the event on the Facebook pages of the SWACBS, WBA and Lisa Robinson. Thanks, Robinsons, for a great weekend!

Emerson Presents Projects, Tools and Tips at April Meeting

At the April 20th meeting of the WBA, Jay Emerson presented photos of many of the wooden boat building and restoration projects he has undertaken since the beginning of his career as a professional restorer. In addition, Jay brought along some of his favorite tools, techniques and accessories, like the soft-bottomed tool bag he's holding up in the photo at left. Thanks, as always, Jay!

In other business, the club adopted criteria for evaluation of charitable donations and marketing opportunities, which you can read here.

The meeting was well-attended, with over 20 people participating in person or via Zoom. Our meetings are a great opportunity to socialize in person, and to stay in touch virtually with the people of the Club. Plan to join in on May 18!

Project Updates from the Lucas Shop!

(Above) Joel Odom glues three sheets of 3/8" mahogany marine plywood together to create a 1-1/8" thick transom for his 1958 Yellow Jacket Catalina.

(Above) Steve McCune has been very busy getting his 1940 Willis Flying Saucer racer ready for Keels & Wheels. He completely redid the deck, returning it to its original appearance. This will be the outboard to beat at the show.

(Above) Phil Brosseau, Chris Sterlacci and Alan Oppenheimer are seen working on the through-hull for their Century Sabre's raw water intake...

Ted Dysart has been spending the last few Saturdays cutting, planing and fitting frame members for his Century Sabre. It's a big project. Ted is measuring twice and cutting once, most of the time!

(Above) Joel's going to need that new transom, because Carl Lapiska, Seb Borrello and David Kanally tore the old, rotten one off!

(Above) Carl Lapiska, seen here a couple weeks ago finessing the boot stripe on his '64 Chris-Craft Super Sport, has completed all the finishing required before the boat will be flipped upright. Stand by for a flipping invite!

(Above) ...and Craig Godfrey is working the same through-hull operation from the underside of the boat. The operation was successful, and the fitting was installed.

Jay Emerson reports good progress on the re-decking of his lastest project at his shop in McAlester, OK. We can't wait to see how this beauty turns out, and to learn more about the boat!

Next Monthly Meeting May 18th at Two Guys, Don't Miss It!

Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 18th, 2023, at 7 p.m. 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. The meeting will include a presentation of the K&W and Wood, Waves & Wheels shows. In addition, members will be given an opportunity to share their stories and tributes about Robin McGeorge.

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: Fair Winds and Following Seas, Marty Franz

Marty Franz, longtime Yellow Jacket enthusiast and author of the book, "Mac And His Yellow Jacket Boats" passed away on April 21, 2023. He was 76. Marty had one of the first web sites devoted to Yellow Jacket boats, and he was known to many as "Mr. Yellow Jacket". Marty participated in the 2013 Keels & Wheels show, when Yellow Jacket boats were the featured marque. He traveled at his own expense to Houston and to Denison to do research for his book, and in the process met members of family of Yellow Jacket founder Mac McDerby and many people who either worked at Yellow Jacket Boats or had family members who had. He was a good guy. Existing copies of the book have sold out, but a waiting list is being created to see if there is enough interest for another printing. Check with Dennis Cheatham if you would like to be on the list. You can read Marty's obituary here.

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.