A Day On Lake Dora With The Harrison’s. Ya It Ended Like We All Knew It Would!
Amazing Sea Skiff on lake Dora!
Looooong time Fellow Woody Boaters Paul and Karen Harrison have moved to Lake Dora for the winters now and part of that move, from Calgary Canada is to have a Woody Boat down there so they are are not towing boats across North America all the time. So they decided to purchase one the special Sea Foam green Sea Skiffs.
Our favorite Color by the way, and they had it all spruced up for the season. They just got it back from the shop and she looks fantastic. Paul, Karen and the Shannon and Scott Knight were down there for the Mecum Auction at Kissamee and some warm Woody Boating with the Harrison’s. A simple trip to the restaurant for a nice sunset dinner and …. cough cough, it happened. The fuel pump!
Dead at the dock!
Now, if you are not familiar with Paul and Karen Harriosn, this is all par for the course. In fact we have come to rely on it and have made entire stories on when the break down would happen, not when. Now mind you.. We are talking brand new GMC trucks, Brand new trailers, quarter million dollar Tahoe winning boats. Karen is with out a doubt one of the top ten boat captains out there. She knows her ship.
Outta gas on Lake Tahoe! Oh boy. That was years ago
And it doesn’t matter, ten foot snow storms in Montana, transmissions in St Louis, and yet, its all part of the fun and they deal with it like champs and that is why we all love them so much. So its no surprise that regardless of the breakdown, miles of smiles of boating where still in the cards.
Karen at the helm, they got her going with some jury rig thing! It helps that Shannon and Scott work in the Automotive industry as engineers.
If you came down to lake Dora this spring, in XX days, your life will be more full of joy by meeting the Harrisons and Knights.
Its always summer someplace.
Shannon and Scott had special sunglasses made! Cool!
Paul relaxing with some very out of fashion sunglasses. Oh Paul!
A perfect name for a fun gang!
It’s nice to see the Michigan chapter come to the rescue!
I love the excuse! They needed to buy a boat to have in Dora, because they couldn’t possibly leave one of their other boats there. Next, this breakdown will make it clear than one boat is not enough, and they will soon be shopping for a backup winter boat.
Clear THAT one boat is not enough.
Notice there are two lifts on the dock!
The Harrisons are wonderful hosts!
I am not sure as that Skiff will hold the gang that the other Skiff held.
What Troy no photo credits.
Thanks
Hello fellow Sea Skiffers! Seeing your abundant crew I have a loading question. I have a 23′ Sea Skiff which (horrors) I have sort of repurposed for dinner cruising in North Georgia. See picture. It has a Ford 292 y-block with basically straight exhaust, no risers after the exhaust manifold. I need to load it with a crowd of revellers as you have but afraid water will back into the engine. So, question is, what engine do you have and does it have risers?
Nice report on Paul and Karen who have contributed tremendously to the hobby.
What happened to Kabot’s Habit? I thought it was kept down there.
Thanks Don – Kabot’s Habit, evidently the most famous Sea Skiff in the world, is up in Canada in BC, and at the moment is having the decks recovered. The days of me hauling it back and forth are over so I thought the best idea was to get another, similar boat for Florida, seeing as the skiff presented about the perfect platform for the boating we do there. Kabot’s Habit just may have a few good road trips ahead but 3000 miles each way to Fl is too much.
This Skiff is only slightly smaller (23′ vs. 24′) and has about 7″ less beam but is overall very similar. Bill Root did a fantastic job restoring this boat, it looks great. I thought Nothin’ Fancy was a ’63 but someone said it’s a ’62 and I haven’t checked yet. I thought ’62’s had wood windshield frames.
That’s great Paul. Why just have one sea skiff when you can have two! Saves on the wear and tear. BTW, You arent missing anything in the weather department by not being up here close to the arctic circle.
We had OoRAH out on the chain of lakes Sunday with our friends Tim & Terry Ross in their boat Barnstormer. It was a great day on the water. Wish we’d run across y’all!
Cool! A Chris Craft in Tollycraft Colors! If we come to Dora we can bring our cruising clothes and feel right at home – or mistaken for the hired help… 🙂
Gotta Luv a Lapstrake!
We joined ACBS to meet friends and share adventures on vintage boats. The Harrison’s were among the first to welcome us to the hobby and have continued to be kind friends and generous hosts – we were glad to be along for this adventure.
It must be said that this little skiff proved it has a good heart as it managed to make it all the way to the Hideaway without incident – waiting until we were secure at the dock to give up the ghost. We could have ended up as gator bait in the Dora Canal if not for its valiant effort. I think it will prove to be a good boat for two very good people.
What? no more boat hauls?? I’m going to miss the extra cash infusion but not the conversion time from Canadian banks to US, haha. Y’all look like you’re having a great time. Love the shades and the nail polish.
Love the story/pics. I concur with all of you that Paul and Karen Harrison have brought an enormous amount of knowledge, generosity, camaraderie and let’s call it “entertainment” to our wonderful hobby. In comes Shannon and Scott Knight with a genuine interest in classic boating, and not only are they welcomed at each show, but Paul and Karen have introduced them to the finer aspects of being into classics!! Looking forward to seeing all of you in 2 months!! Cheers.
I want to thank the Harrison’s for parting with Satin Doll, she’s in good hands and I’m glad to see you made it to lake Dora finally. Enjoy yourselves…..you’ve earned it!