Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Chapter Antique & Classic Boat Society

Antique and Classic Boat SocietyPacific NW Chapter23913 NE 54th PlaceRedmond, WA 98053

February 2009

ACBS PNW 2009 Officers andBoard of Directors

Officers

PresidentDick Dow

Vice PresidentRob DaPron

SecretaryCraig Magnusson

TreasurerKirk Knapp

Board of DirectorsPeter BroTom CathcartFrank GonzalesBarent HoffmanIke KielgassWarren OlsonDon PalmerGreg PriceRon StevensonAlan Thomle

At Large Positions

Cruiser ClassKarl Hoffman

Fiberglassics LiasonMarty Loken

HistorianRob DaPron

Chief JudgeAlan Thomle

MembershipKirk Knapp

Newsletter EditorTom Cathcartfor February

Safety CorrespondentOpen

WebmasterPat Ford

The President’s Pulpit

www.acbs-pnw.org

Cabin Fever…I went to the boat show

today, looking for inspira-tion, diversion, electronics and a new marine refriger-ator. The effort was worth it for all but the first thing on the list. I guess I’ve be-come an old boat snob, but to my eyes, there wasn’t a boat in the show that I would walk to the end of the dock to board… The only one I saw with a line up its viewing stairway was a newly-built mahoga-ny speedboat with a radical design, Arneson drive and the standard Bryant’s color scheme with a stained hull and bright yellow bottom. What is exciting is the continued innovation in electronics, pow-er plant and drive systems, safety products and the things that make using a boat more comfortable and convenient. – Did I just say I was getting old?

Clearly, this is an event that would bene-fit from an ACBS display. We used to have a regular presence, the last time in the final Kingdome show, where we were featured cel-ebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Seattle Boat Show and Bryant’s Marina. Our space was used for publicity, a backdrop for inter-views, and was one of the busiest places in the show. The “Best of Show” award we re-ceived from the NMTA hangs on my wall. It’s time we return.

This month’s ‘Rudder’ contains the regis-tration for the ACBS 2009 International Mo-torboating Symposium, to be held at South Lake Union Park and the Center for Wooden Boats April 24-26. We have set up a website to provide information on the symposium as

it continues to develop. It also contains the registra-tion information so any-one who may be interested can easily get the form and register. www.thewetedge.com. You do not have to be an ACBS member to at-tend this event – it’s open to all. This is going to be a great time!

The board has decided to eliminate the garage tour from our schedule this year due to the timing and effort that is being put into the symposium, which is sort of the same thing on steroids anyway. The tour will resume in 2010.

We are still seeing a decline in our mem-bership, but I am pleased and excited at the number of new members showing up at the monthly meetings, participating, contributing to the process, and volunteering to work on the symposium and other events we are planning. Despite the challenges, I think 2009 is going to be a good year for the club.

Boating weather is just around the corner! Kathy and I now have a running Tollycraft, Tom Cathcart, (this month’s editor – Thank You!) has a new gas tank on order for “Huck-ledybuck”,

Ron Stevenson is back to work on the Cus-tom, Ike has another race boat in process, new member Dave Cossette and Alan are redoing Dave’s SuperSport, I’m not sure how many boats the Franchini family is working on… but I am sure there are many more in process around the region, so we’re just going to have to find excuses to use them aren’t we? Let’s do just that! Dick Dow

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It’s a beautiful Saturday morning here at “Cathcart Park & Arboretum” in east Redmond, and I am still recovering from the ‘red eye express’ that brought me home from a three-day sojourn to Rome………..New York, that is! Our Museum of Flight’s Senior Curator and myself were dispatched to perform an acceptance inspection on our 1954 Lockheed Super ‘G’ Constellation airliner, just having gone through a year and a half of major structural repairs and sporting a new ‘Trans Canada Air lines’ paint job compliments of Air Canada.

The Constellation, a late 1930’s design, was the epitome of piston powered airline development, and thought by many to be the most aesthetically pleasing aircraft ever to grace the skies. It was while I was brushing the snow from the wings and photographing the aircraft, that I thought of how much of the styling from this ‘Art Deco’ period of American history transcends all forms of transportation, be it aircraft, automobiles or boats of that period. The beauty of an elliptical airfoil, or the graceful sheer-line on one of our boats, seems to recall a point in time that is worthy of preserving.

We are fortunate to live in a society that still embraces its history. We are all but stewards of this endeavor, keeping these boats we love seaworthy much longer that their original designers ever imagined. The ACBS is in effect a museum of sorts,

Guest Editor: Tom CathcartThe Editor’s Corner

made up of all of us who enjoy sharing our treasured artifacts with the public. We pass these craft on to the next generation of admirers, and in doing so, pass a bit of ourselves along with them.

Please share this passion we pursue with those around you. Let them know they don’t necessarily need to own a boat to enjoy the activities of our organization, and that we all subscribe to sharing our treasures with others. If everyone in our chapter could just interest one person in the benefits of membership, we can arrest the decline that we have experienced of late.

I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible this coming season. Let’s make 2009 a great year for our club!

Jerry’s KidAt the Museum of Flight’s restoration facility in

Everett, I was having a conversation with some of my volunteers, when by sheer accident of course, the subject turned to boats. One of my Comet restoration volunteers, Mike Mellinger, said that he had a 1961 21’ Chris Craft Continental, one of only a few delivered with the “Gull wing” hardtop. As the story unfolded, I took notes. The boat is disassembled and living in a shelter next to Mike’s home in Redmond. Mike purchased the boat many years ago from a Marina owner in San Diego. What’s interesting is that the boat was shipped brand new to this same marina, then a Chris Craft dealer, and the first owner of the boat was none other than comedian Jerry Lewis.

In a 1996 interview Jerry Lewis talks about his first boat: “I went to San Diego to water ski. I go to the Ho-tel Del Coronado to rent a ski boat. They ain’t got ski boats. I say, where can I go for ski boats? They say, we’re the only ones that rent them, and we’re all out. So I go over to Shelter Island and I bought a boat, this gor-

geous 21-foot Chris Craft, and named it “The Bellboy” ‘cause I was planning “The Bellboy” (the movie) at the time”. Jerry’s ownership was to be short lived though. He continues: “So the guy who used to be my manager and I take the boat into what is now the Sheraton Marina. We’re skiing; we’re having a great time. We’ve bought a little ice chest and put tuna sandwiches and Cokes in it. We stop skiing. We pull up on the bank. We eat our sand-wiches. And I say to him: “why does this sandwich taste like chateaubriand, and the coke like Dom Perignon? What is it about being on the water? He says: “It’s just

that magical connection between relaxing and water and food”. “I say: ‘So in other words, those people with those boats over there that have curtains, and a shower, the food there must taste almost unbearably wonderful! Next week, I bought a 41-foot Chris.” He returned the Continental to the dealer, who kept the boat themselves, letting their kids use the boat until they burned up the original 430 c.i. engine. It would remain in storage for the next thirty plus years, until purchased by Mike. Jerry Lewis would go on to collect a variety of wooden boats, including a 71’ Grebe, which he worked on extensively himself.

Mike’s plans for restoration of the Chris were interrupted by marriage and children of his own. His friend, Dave Lobb, of Northwest Classic Boats, put a new bottom and transom on the boat in 2003. Most of the chrome has been re-plated and instruments rebuilt, (101.2 hrs on the tach). The years of out-door storage have not been kind to the boat though, and Mike would entertain offers in hopes that someone in our area could restore it and offer him a ride when finished. He also has a 5.0 litre MerCruiser engine, un-used since new in ’98, that could be purchased with the boat. If interested, please contact Mike at: (425) 443-1375.

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I stopped in at Jensen Boats last week and spoke with General Manager Peter Proctor to see what is new with them. Unfortunately, the current recession has not been kind, and Peter has had to furlough much of his crew. Although the shop is full of some beautiful cruisers, there was only one being actively worked on. The Meteor, purchased some time ago by famous Canadian rock artist Neil Young, has been moved into the shed next to the main shop and awaits further funding to finish.

If you have considered having some work performed on your antique or classic boat, now would be a good time to get it in to Jensen’s shop and get it done for the coming season. Peter can call in the troops and put them right to work. Both Peter and Assistant Manager Steve Evavold have been very helpful to me during the period leading up to my purchase of the Shepherd, sharing advice and tips on what to look for. They continue to share their knowledge with those passionate individuals who take the time to stop by.

Lake Union News –Jensen Motor Boat Co.

Jerry’s Kid Continued

Advertising PolicyThe “Prop Wash” is published monthly on a volunteer basis. Each month a different board member (guest editor) puts together the newsletter. This allows for a wide variety of creativity and content. Classified ads are run for members free of charge. They are not automatically renewed. Please e-mail your ads to Kirk Knapp (kirkknapp@aol.com). He will forward the ad to whomever is doing the next newsletter.We also accept commercial advertising. A digital file that can easily be used is required. Contact Kirk for more information if you are interested. He will also quote you a rate.

Classifieds:

Chrysler M-44-S hemi V8 engine. 270 c.i. / 155hp / 232 ft lbs / rh rotation / 2 barrel carb / 12 volt / dual point ign / direct drive w/ reverse gear box. Raw water cooled exhaust with Barr risers / Chrysler maint. Manual / complete marine unit. Operational when removed in Dec ’06, burns oil.12” x 14” 3 blade RH prop with 1” bore46” shaft, 1” dia, tapered, keyed and threaded18 gal Tempo fuel tank, 26”L x 16”W x 12”HContact: Tom Carlin @ (425) 318-2119

1961 CC Continental 21’ w/ Gull Wing Hardtop. Project boat, 98% complete.Mike Mellinger @ (425) 443-1375.

1945-50 Osco Ford flathead marine V8-complete. May even run with a little work.David Berg @ (360) 714-6188.

1955 Aristo Craft 14’ Torpedo with 1955 Merc MK55E & trailer. Accurately restored, never in water. Show winner-$20,000. 1969 Century 18’ Resorter (fiberglass) & trailer. FWC Chrysler 318-V8. Nice condition, good user-$10,000. 2002 Lexus LS430 (I didn’t know Lexus made boats Randy!) Light powder blue with gray leather interior. 69k miles. Second owner & always garaged, excellent cond-$22,000.Contact Randy Mueller @ (253) 858-2120 (home), or email: matt42mtq@comcast.net

We want you at this month’s meeting!

23913 NE 54th PlaceRedmond, WA 98053

www.acbs-pnw.org

PRST STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1097

Seattle, WA

February 11 – Monthly meeting at the Center for Wooden Boats. If you haven’t been to a meeting lately, please take the time to come down and get involved with your lodge brothers & sisters. Pizza and drinks are served as well! 1830 hrs sharp.

February 28 – Sammamish Slough Run. There’s sure to be a large turnout from Marty Loken and the newly formed Northwest Classic Boats Club. Let’s meet them with some classic wood at Kenmore and provide escort duty to Coulon Park. Better yet, find yourself a shallow draft vessel and cruise the slough yourself.

Coming Events: March 11 – Monthly meeting at CWB at 1830 hrs. ALL members welcome!

April 8 – Monthly meeting at CWB.

April 23-26 -“The Wet Edge”, our own ACBS International Motorboating Symposium. South Lake Union Park and The Center for Wooden Boats. This is going to put us back on the map folks. If you can spare some time to assist, please contact President Dick Dow.

May 1-2 -SYC Opening Day Parade and Festivities. This year’s theme is “Wild Wild West”. Now THAT should instill your creative juices. Covered wagons, sharp shooters (hmmm………might have to check with the Coast Guard about that one!) We need a team of members to spearhead ideas for our chapter. Please give Dick a call if you can help. Remember…..this is YOUR club, please be involved!

Strength in NumbersSo there I was, enjoying my African Safari vacation when I wandered away from the group. Passing through some dense foliage, I came upon an unbelievable sight. There in the clearing ahead was the largest bull elephant I had ever seen, laying on its side and obviously dead. Next to it there stood a small native boy, wearing a very large grin. “My God” I said, “did you do this?” He nodded the affirmative. “How?” I stammered. “With my club” he replied. “Good grief man, how big is your club?” “Oh……….there’s about 40 of us!”