Your Latest Bilge Pump

Harvey Party Kicks Off Season in Style!

Special thanks to Ray and Carol Harvey, who hosted the WBA for the season kickoff party at their lovely Dallas home on June 9. The group enjoyed moderate libation, and a generous spread of traditional Texas barbecue.

It was a real treat to see the Harveys' Riva, which was on display with a couple of a friends' 1930s vintage Bentleys to welcome the group to the event. Bill Kimball made the arrangements for the food and other logistics. Thanks, Bill!

WBA Receives Donation of Chrysler Marine Art from Bob Adair!

We're pleased to announce that longtime WBA member Bob Adair has entrusted a collection of his original artwork from his days as a designer and artist at Chrysler Boats in Plano.

The drawings reflect Chrysler's golden era in boat design, with innovations in hull shapes, color schemes, graphics and interiors. Bob's work will be digitally preserved and made available for viewing on the WBA web site in the near future.

Following discussion at the June meeting, we will also be noting Bob's personal comments on the artwork and adding those to the web site. In addition, we will be searching for an appropriate permanent home for the collection.

Wood, Waves & Wheels This Saturday, July 1!

Don't forget, Wood, Waves & Wheels is coming this Saturday to the Fort Worth Boat Club on Eagle Mountain Lake! Several WBA members and boats are already commited to the event, but there's always room for more! Even if you aren't bringing a boat, come on out just to see the great display and meet up with friends.

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.

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

Adair Artwork, Table Rock Video Highlight June Meeting

The June 15, 2023 meeting of the WBA was held both on Zoom and in person at Two Guys from Italy restaurant in Dallas. In addition to the business of the club, the club was treated to a display of several original renderings by artist Bob Adair, who worked with Chrysler Boats in Plano for many years. Bob's drawings represented design ideas for the graphics, upholstery and general appearance of several different Chrysler inboard and jet boat models from the 1970s. In addition, the club viewed video shot by David Sheets at the Heartland ACBS chapter's "Classics Cruisin' Table Rock Lake" event that took place the first weekend in June. You can watch the video here.

Project Updates from the Robin McGeorge Boat Shop and Beyond!

(Above) Bill Mott fashioned a plaque out of a mahogany board from an old Yellow Jacket seat, festooned with chrome letters labeling Robin's old stall at the boat shop, "Robin's Nest". The sign was unveiled earlier this month with a toast of bubbly!

(Above) Joel Odom and the WBA flipping crew used the shop gantries to flip his Yellow Jacket on June 10.

(Above) Carl Lapiska cleans the bilge of his '64 Chris-Craft Super Sport, using a pressure washer borrowed from Bill Mott. Carl is careful not to gouge the surface with the spray.

(Above) Scott Myers is removing the bottom paint on his Gar Wood Ensign in order to re-do the finish. New bottom paint won't stick to the old stuff, so he's sanding to bare wood. He's masked the trailer and hardware for painting.

(Above) Bill Mott and David Kanally apply the final coat of Interlux 96 to the deck of the Hallams' 1958 Yellow Jacket Catalina. Buffing to follow full curing of the varnish. The interior is in good shape, but will require wet sanding and a top coat of varnish and new floor paint.

(Above) Joel's Yellow Jacket is getting new yellow paint, Interlux Brightside, on the bottom.

(Above) Chris Sterlacci and Alan Oppenheimer install the stainless steel fuel tank in the Century Partners' Sabre. The partners have made measured but steady progress on the reassembly of this beautiful boat.

(Above) Dan Stober reports the relaunch of his favorite Thompson Offshore, following some significant work to the keel and bottom. Dan can be found out on Eagle Mountain Lake when the sun is low...in the morning or evening.

Next Monthly Meeting July 20th at Two Guys, Don't Miss It!

Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 20th, 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 general interest to the classic boating community.

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:

Baby, it's hot outside! We're continuing our work at the shop, but by noon, the working temperatures are at or near 100 degrees. So we're being careful to stay hydrated, and even cut our work time a little short to avoid the peak temperatures of the day. It's even too hot to go boating in the middle of the day now, so we see guys like Dan Stober out on the lake in the early morning and late evening, when the sun is low and the water is calm. Let us know how you're coping with the heat, either as you work on your projects or get out in your boat. If you're attending events outside the area, send us some photos so we can share with the membership. Stay cool, WBA.

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.