| Including an update from our busy shop! | July 2008 |
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This is the time of year we celebrate being American. And there's no more all-American way to celebrate the season than to be out on the water enjoying the Texas summer, good friends and family. From all of us here at the Bilge Pump, have a happy and safe 4th!
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Don't be left out of this year's annual Ride 'n Show! and it's time to let us know if you can be with us for this great event, August 22-24, 2008. We'll start of with a fabulous barbecue at Al and Sarah Kroemer's farm in Argyle on Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, we'll launch beginning around 8:30 on Saturday morning at the Eagle Point Marina (Sneaky Pete's) on Lake Lewisville. The folks at Sneaky Pete's have agreed to have us use their slips again this year, so we'll spend the day in and around the marina enjoying each other and our boats. Then on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., we'll cruise or drive over to WBA President Bob Van Guilder's lakeside home where Bob and Mildred will host an evening event. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m., we'll roar onto the lake with our traditional run, followed by a brunch buffet at Sneaky Pete's. Sound like fun? Register now!
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As the photo shows, Richard Haug is doing right by his Shepherd. The bottom is complete, and work is progressing nicely on the side planks. One of several major projects underway at the shop, Richard's boat is a great example of what sets the WBA apart. We are the "hands-on" Club! |
| Troy Marshall and Robin McGeorge continue to make progress on Troy's Hacker. Here you can see that the frames (every single one of them a new replacement!) have been finished and painted. Another example of the great work that routinely goes on at the WBA shop in Lucas. |  |
Last month’s presentation was given by Mark Webster and was a review of James P. Barry’s book “Hackercraft”. As most wooden boat enthusiasts know, John L. Hacker was the most influential boat designer of his time. He grew up in Detroit around the turn of the 20th Century which was the Silicon Valley of its day. Hacker was closely acquainted with Henry Ford and each had visions of perfecting a form of moving vehicle powered by the internal combustion engine. Unfortunately, Hacker was not as accomplished a businessman as was Henry Ford. Hacker, in fact, lost his company twice – once due to a nervous breakdown and once due to the Depression. Nonetheless, Hacker’s designs were innovative as well as emulated, as many other boat companies attempted to “knock off” his creations. John Hacker is credited with such design features as moving the cockpits forward, popularizing windshields, modifying the convex V-bottom, and creating the “semi-stock’ process of boat building. There is good reason that Hackercraft boats are known as the “Steinway” of boats: they simply are high-quality creations.
Meteorologist Greg Story Returns for July 17 Presentation
We are looking forward to hearing again this year from Greg Story on the weather, water levels, and forecasts that will affect our boating lives the remainder of this season. Greg made a similar presentation last year, and was very well received by the membership. In fact, the question and answer session kept Greg longer than we had promised...but he answered every last one! Don't miss this interesting talk by one of Texas' most knowledgeable weather authorities! Meeting begins promptly at 7 p.m.
Join us for a light meal and moderate libation prior to the meeting. We'll gather at Midway Point at 5:30. See you there!
WBA to Participate in Dallas Summer Boat Show, July 18-20 & 25-27
Looks like we'll have at least seven boats representing the WBA at the Dallas Summer Boat Show. Unlike the winter show, the summer show runs on two weekends and not during the week. So the show will be on July 18-20 and July 25-27. If you'd like to help staff the show (and get yourself some passes!) or bring your boat to the show, please contact Mark Webster ASAP!
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.
