Complete with a Project Update from Robin's Nest!
December, 2023
Recent Cold Snap a Wake-Up Call for Winterization

 

 

If this image of a snowler bear looks familiar, it's because we ran this same reminder on December 1 of last year. As the colder weather arrives, don't forget to winterize your boat. Drain all the water from the engine, stabilize your fuel, and take all the precautions necessary to make sure you'll be ready to go for next season. If you own an outboard motor, be sure to drain the lower unit (it is very common for water to get in there), and replace the lubricant with fresh stuff.

There are a variety of techniques published on line for this procedure if you are new to our hobby. Here's a link to the ACBS article on the subject.
WBA to Ring in Holidays in Style This Saturday, December 2!

One of the first parties of the Christmas Season is the WBA Holiday Party, to be hosted again this year by Ann and John Hallam. A lovely dinner buffet, together with beer and wine is included. Dress is holiday festive. If for some reason, you have not received your eVite for the event, let Scott Myers know. Likewise, if your plans have changed and you can't come, please adjust your RSVP accordingly. $25 per person at the door.

The January edition of Bilge Pump will have a full report on the gathering!

 

 

Officer Elections, Antique Boat Museum Report Highlight November Meeting

 

 

Congratulations to Phil Brosseau (l), who was elected as the new WBA President at the November 16th monthly meeting. Alan Oppenheimer (r) was elected Vice-President. Treasurer Scott Reichardt and Secretary Trey Bull were re-elected and will continue in their current roles. We look forward to another great year of WBA activity with the guidance of our leadership team!

Longtime WBA member Seb Borrello brought over 40 stunning images of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY, to share with the club. Many members were surprised at the scale of the museum, shop and dock facilities there, as well as the depth of the antique and classic boat collection. Seb volunteers at the restoration shop each summer, collaborating on the refurbishment of boats big and small. Thanks, Seb, for an enlightening presentation!

Project Updates from the Robin McGeorge Boat Shop and Beyond!

(Above) Joel Odom's Yellow Jacket is looking pretty good as he and Barney Gulley apply coat 7 of spar varnish.

(Above) Carl Lapiska discusses his options for repairing some damaged bolt holes in his Super Sport's bottom frames with Bill Mott.

(Above) Barney Gulley has re-righted his Yellow Jacket up at Texoma, and is now ready to refinish the interior.

 

(Above) These sides might just be done with seven coats. We'll know more once it's dry.

(Above) Ted Dysart has fastened his lower transom plank, and has turned his attention to the upper plank which is stripped and refastened, complete with bungs.

(Above) All the framework looks good now, as Barney prepares to stain both the interior and exterior.

Next Monthly Meeting January 18, 2024 at Two Guys, Don't Miss It!

boatOur next meeting will be Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Two Guys From Italy in Dallas. 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: A Wheelchair Ramp for Lew White

As reported recently during our Cares and Concerns, Lew White is home from his recent hospital and rehab stay. Dennis Cheatham paid a visit to Lew soon after he arrived home, and quickly learned that Lew's access to his beloved garage shop was blocked by a door threshold and a 5" step down from the house into the garage. Dennis proposed the building of a ramp for Lew to David Kanally and the Robin McGeorge Boat Shop crew, and on Saturday, November 25th, the ramp was built at the shop, with the help of Dennis, David, Jim Donovan, Alan Oppenheimer and Seb Borrello.

Dennis and David then transported the ramp to Lew's house and installed it. After a couple days of using the ramp, Lew found that some refinements were needed, which Dennis and David completed on Tuesday, Nov. 28. So now Lew can access his garage shop autonomously, and continue his work on his projects.

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.