Bilge Pump Masthead

Complete with a Project Update!
July, 2021
Lake Levels, Debris Force Rendezvous Postponement

 

 

Due to high water in Lewisville Lake, the WBA Rendezvous most recently rescheduled for June 26, had to be postponed until conditions improve. The graphic at left is taken from the web site of the Texas Water Development Board. You can click on it to access the latest information on water levels at Lewisville Lake and other Texas lakes. The pink area of the chart indicates flood level, which, as of press time, continues to cover launch ramps and some parking areas. In addition, a good deal of floating debris make boating conditions dangerous.

Conditions are slowly improving, as the graph indicates. When a new Rendezvous date can be set with confidence, you will be notified and invited.
Harvey Party Kicks Off Season with Class!

(Above) WBA members and friends gather at the home of Ray and Carol Harvey on June 11. The breeze and abundant shade kept things pleasant, so the group could enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting.

(Below) The Harvey's back yard is an idyllic venue for a gathering. We're grateful to the Harveys for their continued hospitality. Trey Bull's video here.

 

(Above) Bill McNally digs into the catered Texas barbecue dinner organized by Bill Kimball for the Season Kickoff party. Now a tradition at the event, this traditional fare is among the best out there!

(Below) If there's one thing we may like better than boating, it would be chowing down with good friends. We saw some members we hadn't seen for a while, too. Good times!

WBA Return to Meeting In-Person a Success!

 

 

It seemed like old times on June 17th, as the WBA resumed its monthly in-person meetings at Two Guys From Italy in Dallas. VP Mike Gomes led the meeting, and welcomed members old and new to the gathering.

Steve McCune provided the program, with a talk and video about the Rudders & Rods show that he and his wife, Denise, hosted at Highport Marina at Lake Texoma on May 22. Rudders & Rods video here.

A few members who weren't able to attend in person joined by Zoom, an option that will continue for the foreseeable future. Join us for our next meeting on July 15. Watch Trey Bull's meeting highlights video here.

Project Updates from Lucas and Beyond!

(Above) The Nevada Yellow Jacket has taken on some major shine as eight or so coats of varnish have been applied by Bill Mott, Alan Oppenheimer and David Kanally since the last report.

(Below) Hayden Lapiska set up this rig for hand planing replacement planks for his dad Carl's Chris Craft. In a major push when Hayden was home, the guys got all the repair planks dry fitted.

(Below) Robin McGeorge begins to address the wiring issues facing the Mark 55e 40 hp Mercury outboard destined for the Nevada Yellow Jacket. First step will be new plugs and plug wires.

(Below) Cindy Chebultz reports progress on her Feathercraft Rocket, having taken out all the deteriorated wood and giving the boat a good wash. Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

(Above) The Nevada Yellow Jacket's floor has been masked and primed, and will soon be ready for a couple coats of yellow paint. The keelson and stringers are masked, so their mahogany color will really pop.

(Below) Carl Lapiska spent several hours last week making sure the countersunk screw holes were deep enough to receive bungs. Carl says his major challenge is having the patience to do it right. So far, so good, Carl!

(Below) Jay Emerson has jumped in with both feet on this 1951 34' Chris-Craft Express Sedan. He's posted lots of photos on the WBA Facebook page. If anybody can do it, we know Jay can!

(Below) Phil Wolff has added to his fleet, bringing a beautiful 1968 21' Century Coronado for work and storage at the Lucas facility. The boat is gorgeous and complete. 1968 was the last year for the wooden Coronados. Phil's been dipping her in the lake to figure out the condition of the bottom, and he's even fired her 427 Interceptor 400 hp engine up for all to hear! We're glad to have Phil back in Lucas so we can keep an eye on him.

Next WBA Monthly Meeting July 15th, 2021. Join Us in Person or by Zoom!

boatOur next meeting will be Thursday, July 15th 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 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 be swapping stories of our various boating and project adventures. Plus, we'll have a presentation of general interest to antique and classic boating enthusiasts. And, of course, 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. Those who are not comfortable meeting in person, or those who live too far away to drive to the restaurant are welcome to join the meeting via a Zoom call. Invitations with instructions for joining the conference call will be sent via email to all members prior to the meeting.

Shop Talk and Musings: Camaraderie

Every now and then, a WBA member has a boat that needs to be flipped, so we throw a "flippin' party" to get the job done. We combine our modest gantries and lots of manpower to turn the boats over and back again. In this particular case, we gathered on Saturday morning, June 5 to flip Carl Lapiska's Chris-Craft Super Sport so bottom work and some plank replacement could begin. We had the kind of turnout some clubs can only dream about.

Our founders dubbed our club "the hands-on boat club" over 30 years ago. The time we spend together at the shop, working and learning at the same time, is rewarding and productive. We share some stories, help each other out, have some laughs, and in the process, restore some pretty nice boats. Club projects provide important funding for the shop's operation and for the club coffers. And, most of all, we enjoy the camaraderie that this hobby provides.

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