Including Updates From Lucas and East Creek Customs!
July, 2017

Ride 'n Show a Real Hoot!

With a dozen boats and a friendly gaggle of members, friends and family, the 2017 WBA Ride 'n Show at Rockwall was a fun event. With six different manufacturers represented in the fleet, there was an unusual diversity among the boats displayed. Present were Century, Chris-Craft, Cowell, Glastron-Carlson, Skiff Craft and Yellow Jacket.

  

The group had a reception and two dinners together, an in-the-water show and the traditional Fun Run and brunch to round out the weekend. Special thanks to our out-of town visitors for making the trip to the DFW area! Discussions about how to draw additional participants to future Ride 'n Shows brought out some great ideas! Watch the video here! See a slideshow here.

Cypress Springs Rendezvous with the Dils, July 22!

  

Jeff and Stacy Dils have graciously offered to host the WBA at beautiful Lake Cypress Springs on Saturday, July 22nd!  (Just 100 miles east of Dallas)

Saturday, July 22, 2017
  • 9:00: Meet at Overlook Park boat ramp, a free public ramp with ample parking
  • 9:15 – Noon:   Cruise Lake Cypress Springs
  • Noon:  Lunch at Tall Tree Marina (They have plenty of slips to accommodate us)
  • 1:30 – 3:00ish:  Cruise, swim, etc.
  • 3:15:  Return to ramp and load up
  • 3:30:  Head to the Dils’ lake house located in Tall Tree community, for drinks and snacks
  • 5:00ish:  Head home!

Contact David Sheets for additional details. Maps will be provided for all participants. Let's make this Rendezvous a memorable one!
Willis Boat Works Update Shared at June Meeting

Dallas' own Willis Boat Works was the subject of an update presentation by David Kanally at the June 15 meeting of the WBA. Willis built a variety of mahogany plank and plywood on frame boats from the '30s through the '50s. Recently, Pop Willis' grandson, Terry, donated two Willis-built scale model boats to the WBA. Willis Comet owner Dodie Miller gave this interview at Keels & Wheels last year.

Willis Boat Works is an important part of the wooden boat building heritage of North Texas. For more on the history of Willis Boat Works, click here.

  
Project Update from Lucas and Beyond!

(Above), Cheryl Kanally is already on board as Bill Kimball and David Kanally prepare to launch the Yellow Jacket resotored by Robin McGeorge and David. (Mott photo)

Lew White and Bob Adair have finished the hull painting on their sailing dinghy, and will soon finish applying non-skid paint on the inside. Seats are already varnished and set aside for installation after painting. Boat is for sale!

 

 

(Above): Bill Mott is at the helm on June 17th in the first water test of the Yellow Jacket, which reinforced the fast, fun reputation these spunky molded boats have!

Marc Hill is shown cleaning the big shop bay where Chuck Barber's boat has been. Chuck took his boat home for finishing. The bay is awaiting our next project! Stay tuned to your next Bilge Pump for details.

Next WBA Monthly Meeting July 20th, 2017. Don't Miss It!

boatOur next meeting will be Thursday, July 20th, 2017 at 7 p.m. at Two Guys from Italy at 11637 Webb Chapel Road, just south of Forest Lane. We'll be continuing our door prize tradition, giving out a classic boating book from collections donated by Pat Baldwin and Bill McNally to a lucky winner.

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. We'll feature a presentation of special interest to antique and classic boaters, of course. As always, we'll have generous helpings of fellowship and Italian food.

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

The Ride 'n Show is already behind us. We continue to innovate with classic glass entries like Rex Hoecker's '84 Glastron-Carlson outboard (62 mph! Gay Perry's hairdo got undid!) and Gabe Chacin's '90 Correct Craft Ski Nautique with its beautiful new interior. And now we're looking forward to our July 22 Rendezvous with the Dils out on Lake Cypress Springs. The WBA season is off and running. It was great to see Mr. and Mrs. Paul Merryman at the Ride 'n Show. Paul, as you probably know, is the co-chair of Keels & Wheels, organizing the boating side of that important show. The Merrymans were in the neighborhood and stopped by for our Saturday show and dinner. Your Bilge Pump editor (left) felt truly honored to receive a hand-crafted, mahogany-billed captain's cap from WBA member Charles Still, as recognition for work done for the club. Thanks to Charles for this unique gift. Anyone who volunteers knows how important recognition can be!

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