Laying Out The Plywood In The Morning Light

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This weekend we are supposed to have two warmer days, low 70's and so it's Johnny hustle to get at least the 5200 down with plywood. 3/16 okoume, I had ordered 4 sheets of 4x8 in case and was able to use the patterns to only use 2 and 1/3…
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Bung’n Time At HQ

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In between calls in half hour slivers, I am making some bungs out of the old wood and new wood so they matchy matchy. Some of them are gonna be very very thin, and yes, to do this 100% correct, either take the sides off and either back the boards…
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The “Emotional History” Of Classic Speed Boats

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I know this is a topic I have been blabbering about for EVER, but it is for sure more true now than even before. It explains the shift in the passion size and age demographics. Why clubs are struggling, and magazines closing. So yes, the community…
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Smith’s Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer Provokes A Rant

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For the record, there was no trade or donation made by Smith's CPES to do this story, in fact I am not sure they even know this website exists. As are many of the companies and so on I feature here, I use AND pay for the stuff. It was one…
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Bringing In The Big Guns To Dig More Down The Rabbit Hole

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Where are we deep in the hole of rabbits?  Satin finish varnish. SAT"I"N  In yesterdays comments, even Rabbit commented on the rabbit hole "I met Bob and Taylor M at Woods & Water II at Gull Lake. So good to meet someone you only…
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Down the Varnish Rabbit Hole

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We all love that fresh, glossy varnish finish — so let’s just get that out of the way. In yesterday’s comments, Bob Murdock shared a bit of his adventure down the varnish rabbit hole, and for the first time, it all clicked. What…
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The WoodyFloater 99’s Hull Card Opens up More Questions

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After the extensive search for her hull number, stamped on one of the stringers UNDER a strip of wood, has opened up so much more coolness. A huge thanks to the Mariners Museum for helping out, and now sending me her hull card. One…
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Attack Of The Giant Oyster

From time to time I get these little fun projects from Pals here. I love doing them and it's a way to chill on some sort of artistic endeavor. The giant oyster was dropped off by my pal Charles Williams, who owns the Crazy Crab restaurant,…
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One Little Tool, With So Much History

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As we all rem-anise about Classic Boating Magazine, we were all asking about Rocco's secret cone tool. And of course to many out there. This may have seemed like a obvious question. AND ANSWER, But no to me, or others. Which of course is…
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A Very Cool Skil-Craft Painted Sign on eBay, It’s Gonna Be One Of “Those” Days.

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There is a bit to unpack here today, I will warn you ahead of time, there is some possible driving on the ice type writing thats gonna go on. Maybe even a loop or two. Ready? Okay, fellow Woody Boater Glen Thayer, yes, Thayer, as…
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Fitzke Boats + The Huntsman Work Together To Build The New Collectable

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A huge thanks to fellow Woody Boater Kevin Fitzke not only for sharing this, but also a reminder that the future is very cool for the WoodyBoater universe. These are also a complete contrast to the Woody Floater Challenge. And…
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The WoodyFloater Challenge Parallel Universe Out West

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While we have been plowing forward, so have the guys out west with the 1951 17’ Ventnor Runabout, which will become the Inland Empire ACBS's official project boat. I so love these guys, they have expanded this idea and to be honest, possibly…
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Making The Most Of It – Floatdate

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In between zoom calls Wayne Bomb and I have been chipping away at trying to get the engine to atleast kick over. And while thats happening, I am piecing together bits to bring her back together. I don't want to use any other Mahogany so…
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John L. Hacker’s 125 Year Old Punt Boat Could Be Yours.

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Today we have what could be one of the coolest finds since the Thayer IV find years ago here. Is this one of John Hackers first designs and build?  Born in 1877 he would have made this boat at the age of 23. And started Hacker Boats in…
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Smith Island Cake Showdown

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Yesterday for me might have been the real fist day of summer. I had the entire day off and the weather was kick'n it. Flat water, 70's light breeze and jimmy was itch'n for a ride as well. So Jimmy, Hank and Suzy2 and I  decided on a ride…
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George Butler Is Looking For A Real Blond. Oh Boy.

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Yes this headline may cause some tension in the Butler household, but hey, I got clicks I gotta get. And you already are here, so you know we are talking about a boat. SO? Here is the discussion. How is the correct…
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Low Timers & WoodyBoater The Summertimeless Of 25

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A huge shout out to my kids in New Orleans who have been slamming it home with some amazing cred. Okay, thats a little slang like for an old geezer like me. Let me try this. I am so proud of all my kids, family.  This summer while visiting…
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We Have Us A Challenge! The Woody Floater Challenge Is Underway. Are you In?

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I am back from my filming in NY and a huge thanks to Hank for stepping in. Since then we have some entries and new ways to enter. We also have a entry from Frank From Falmouth but will need an image and proof of life. Frank will be doing…
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We Have Us A Good Old Whatizit, Whereizit Now Story

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Thanks to Knot That Jeff Gordon we have us a bit of an adventure today to go on. This is Knot Jeff's grandparents tripple.  It was on Lake Minocqua in Wisconsin. It was named FOBAJO. Thats all we have. Now of course this does not look like…
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Classic Boats Vs Antique Boats. What Does It Mean?

Over the past couple weeks we have seen some of the finest classic boats in the universe all gather in Clayton, and I gotta say, so I am gonna. WOW!  The diversity and styles and smiles, make this segment of the entire boating universe…
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YNOT Some More Images From The Clayton International?

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A huge thanks to the YNOT Yachts gang for sending in some of their amazing photos. I love these guys and how they approach things. With deep thought, and as artists. I have said it over and over again. YNOT is our version of Singer Porsche,…
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Okay, One More Clayton International Story.

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Just when you thought it was over,  Steve Lapkin in some real tasty treats from this past weeks big Clayton International Show. And a small helping of Chris Bullin. Here we go. “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” Words…
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The Last Gas, That Special Time Right Before The Inevitable

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I can not believe I am starting down the trail to the 2025 Last Gasp stories. But we do have a new category of moments, I am galling "THE LAST GAS".  And no this is NOT the big announcement, I am still ironing out the details on that. I…
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Like Clockwork, It’s Towver!

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A huge thanks to all for sending us all some fun images from the big Clayton International. Steve Lapkin is in the air headed back to the west coast, Holly sent us in some cool shots, AND Troy and M-fine sent us the cliche Tow shots to capture…
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Clayton Saturday: “Saving the Best for Last”

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Good morning from Clayton: it’s a brisk Saturday morning in the 1,000 Islands. It is the last day of the 2025 ACBS Annual Members’ Meeting and Boat Gathering at The Antique Boat Museum. I/we have (kind of) saved some of the best…
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Clayton: “The Day is Here!”

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Another wonderful report from Steve and Holly from the 50th Anniversary of the ACBS International at The Antique Boat Museum. Otherwise known as the 50thACBSIABM. Or of course Just "Clayton", When your one word location is known, well you…
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“A Stupendous Clayton Woody Wednesday: the Views from Where I Sit”

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Another huge thanks to Steve Lapkin and Holly Weber for some amazing images and story form the big Clayton International. “The views from where I sit” is a phrase that refers to your personal perspective(s) ad experiences, shaped…
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Day 2 – Clayton Yields Vivid Visuals And Lots Of Waves

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A huge thanks to Steve Lapkin and Holly Weber for sharing some pics from Day 2 at Clayton, and the 2025 ACBS International. And of course I get to make up the comments from rain soaked HQ. Indeed, we must all be blessed! Today’s…
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CLAYTON LIVE-ISH – We Have All The Makings Of A Classic Shoot Out.

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Today the images and stories are starting to get in. And wow. And Holly and Steve are there already clicking away. Which of course sets up one of my favorite things. A good old shoot out, where we see to photographers take some of the same stuff,…
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Off To The Races, Okay Show, Okay, Dock For The 2025 Reedville Boat Show

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Here we go. I guess. Maybe not. After all the calls and business meetings, I had to just walk away. Things were getting a little tight in the old timeline area. I can handle much of it on my iphone now. BUT, first I need to Get Stinky over…
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A Little Howe Hoarding In Our Little Cocoon Of Togetherness

Today in the universe out there, it's a conflicting day of emotions. On one hand we remember that it is 9/11 and all that conjures up. Nothing good BTW.  We have the recent violence from yesterday in Utah and Colorado, and proof of life…
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The Calm Before The Storm

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It's gonna be a busy week starting Saturday, with the start of Clayton, Reedville, and Smith Mountain Lake. I am not sure what will come in or most likely plastered all over the social universe. But it will be a ship show, thats for sure.…
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Looking For A Sign

Well, as the old saying says, I feel like a dog that caught the car it was chasing, Now what? In fact, the entire Railway experience has been like that. Just moving forward where my heart wants to go, doing and finding things that go together…
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Trying New Things Happily That Don’t Work.

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WARNING: This is what happens when I’m wiped out—I get deep, a little boring, and tend to ramble. So if you’d rather not, just look at the pictures today. And then… GO OUT ON YOUR BOAT. Doing WoodyBoater has been an incredible…
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Thanks Holly

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Holly Weber sent me some wonderful images yesterday. I suppose it was some sort of pity email, since my life of boating seems to be on hold. With that said, I am going to need to be at the Railway cleaning up after a summer of neglect, for…
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How Was Your Labor Day Weekend? I Need Some Vicarious Boating.

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Perfect weather, end of summer magic, and, and, and, well, I built a fence. Okay, I have spent the past 3 weeks trying to build the fence between calls and so on. But three clear days of 75 degree days with no interruptions and it was to…
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Delivery Day In Toledo? Get Out Your Detective Sets.

Was your Chris Craft delivered in Toledo? Maybe. Well, today on ebay are some wonderful photos of what appears to be dealer pics of customers boats and I am guessing delivery day. The seller feller of the images is in Toledo, so I am assuming…
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We Have A New Pipe!

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Two seconds after I got off my last meeting of what has been a back to back week of meetings, I was one the road headed to Farham Virginia to get an old sign pole we found a bit ago. This will be at HQ, I just have zero idea where or how.…
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An Amazing Coversation Going On Worthy Of Milking.

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The other day on the Kevin Fitzke photo day, hurried in the comments, Troy, yes our Troy, with a keen eye, noticed a boat in the background of one of Kevins photos. And we thought all Troy did was look for babes. Here is a conversation taking…
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Miss Super Ply? Ply-Craft? DIY-Craft? DeWoody? Lowe-Craft? Home Deboat? GarPlywood? A Riva Compensato?

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We just spent the last week featuring some of the most extreme woody boats in the world.  So, with that all in mind, BEHOLD. Function at its simplest.  No 5200, no need for a new bottom. Varnish, HA! Dry wall screws and some flex seal…
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Just Another Day In Paradise.

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There is an old saying, if you ever want to get something done, get someone who is busy. Well, it is true, but good lord, this is nutso. Over the past few months, okay all summer long, it's been back to back meetings, photo shoots, TV shoots,…
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If It’s Not On The Internet, Is It Real? – 1968 Val-Tech VTO-Mini Boat

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Thanks to Facebook Marketplace, the world, okay %99.9999.99999 of the world knows about Val-Tech Mini Boats. And here on WoodyBoater. Go ahead, try and find another one, or any info.. Really, go ahead, cause I couldn't find anything.…
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Through Kevin Fitzke’s Eyes, Okay, Eye. Okay, His Camera, Then His Eye.

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We have all seen the images and social media frenzy around the Gull Lake show this weekend. Including some of these images, so sorry about the repeat, and over saturation of it all. BUT, I thought that these images from Kevin where noteworthy,…
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“GULL SUNRISE CASTING CALL” And A Little Teaser

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Another wonderful report in from Gull Lake from Steve Lapkin. I love spontaneous stuff at boat shows. It's when the real magic happens, and thankfully for all of us, we have Steve there with his golden eyeball. And camera, okay, and a computer…
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GULL LAKE – “THEY ARRIVE WITH A CAVALCADE” TWO, TWO, TWO REPORTS IN ONE!

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Another huge shout out to Steve Lapkin for sharing and caring from Gull Lake. We also have some cool Behind the scenes stuff from Dane Anderson who snuck away from the usual stuff and followed the Race boats coming into the event from Lee…
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AT GULL: “Beauty is Speed”

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Again, in anticipation of John Allen’s Race Boat Reunion/Revival/Regatta/Revelation – August 22 & 23 – at the Bar Harbor Supper Club at Gull Lake, Minnesota, I cajoled John to put this black mahogany masterpiece, Black Jack, through…
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And Now For Something Completely Different. – Holly Weber Reports In

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Holly Webber sent us in this different report from Lake Champlain, and gotta say, this sure looks like fun, and loud. Or Loud, louder and fun. It's always great to have a little Holly Weber imagery to brighten up the day. Thanks Holly The…
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The Timeless Summer

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One of the reasons I love summer is because its more of an idea than a thing. Summer is a time to just stop and enjoy what life has at its best. Which of course explains Florida and California. They really are an endless summer. Not to be…
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