Restorations – Classic Boats

What? Oh just simmer your britches, this is a wood boat site, any old lady is your boat. Okay, so all you goody two shoes can keep reading. Or just look at the pictures. You read Woody Boater for the articles... Right! Got ya.. So here. SO…

Barn Find, Time Capsule Rocket, Rocks Our Little Universe.

Remember Plaidtastic? back in 2017, trying to figure out her original interior? Or questioning Rockets yellow bottoms? Well. Seth Katz's, the Rocket Master has found a time capsule plaid interior Rocket. Yes. As in varnished once. And still…

A Grain Of Thought – Should We Reconsider Judging Rules?

Art, Rant, Restorations

First, isn't it great that we are arguing about boats again, and not vaccines and masks? Yes! Like a good family squabble. And I thank all the folks that teamed up to make the Red Cobra Red again. Now, let's get a little deeper into the…

WECATCHEM Gets Naked At The Katz’s Varnish Bar & Lounge

Cue the stripper music. We got us some naked photos today from Katz's Marina and Cocktail Lounge today. Thats right, full nudity, bare wood, and bungholes. Ya, I went there. So you ask? Why does WECATCHEM need to strip? Can she not afford…

Brian Robinson Is in The Details

Today, we are going to go deep into one simple detail. And you will get to wander into the depth of it all. I love the way you can look at something in an overall way, and then dive deep into it. Like at a flea market, you can go into one…

Baby Chick Is Beautiful On The Inside As Well

Barn Finds, Classic Boats, Restorations

Baby Chick is coming along. We filled up three large trash cans of dirt, rags, and other stuff unrelated to her or her life. I sifted through it all. Oh, even a number 2 pencil was saved. Even the smallest detail can be a fun story. Like…

Baby Chicks Hatch Tells Story

Barn Finds, Classic Boats, Restorations

One of the most fun parts of cleaning out a Barn Find is, well, finding stuff frozen in time. You can just back story stuff and get an idea of what life was like back in the day. It's clear that she was a VERY well loved boat, but in rural…

Baby Chick Is An Influencer On Instagram! I Got Me An Idear!

I know many of you dont use Instagram. Hell, some don't even use the internet. And flip phones, don't even start on that.. HA. Anyway, I posted the above image on Instagram and good lord. On average I get around 100-200 likes, well 1750+…

Let’s Go Back In Time – Stuffing Box

Barn Finds, Classic Boats, Restorations

Did you all change your clocks? I know its a lot to expect, and might be the only thing not politicised these days. Well, here, we decided to step back and interrupt the Barn Find Milking of stories and talk about Sweet Pea's Stuffing…

A New Trailer During Now. You Know, These Uncertain Times.

With supply chain issues and loooong wait times to order stuff. Cars at 10K over asking, 1 year waits for furniture, and don't even try and get a Generator.. 1 year wait. So imagine my pain when I dug into WECATCHEM's trailer for her winter…

Sean Conroy Spends An Entire Year In One Day, Today.

A huge thanks to Loooooong time Fellow Woody Boater Sean Conroy for saving the day with a good long story. That took an entire year to prepare for, and so today we can all sit back as the weather gets a little crisp and read. Alot. A years…

Opening Pandora’s Stuffing Box! A True Horror In The Bilge Story.

Art, Rant, Restorations

WARNING: If you are prone to blacking out looking at graphic images, you may want to sit today out. like a can of worms opened up and exploded in your face. DON'T GO INTO THE HOUSE!!!!!!! So... Let's go back in time. About two days…

Installing A Cutlass Bearing, Old School.

As you may recall, before I was so rudely interrupted by some eruptions we were in the throws of removing the Cutlass Bearing from Sweet Pea. On Tuesday we went by George Butlers place to remove the bearings and install the new ones. One…

There Is A Curse Word For Removing The Prop Shaft From A 40 Ft Wood Trawler.

I am not sure what the perfect curse word is, since we used all of them. But.. Since owning Sweet Pea, we have known she needs a new cutless bearing. It wasn't all that bad, but over time had worked some leaks in the hull near her keel.…

Chris Craft Cobra Material Specs, And Post High Tide Pics. It’s A Mash Up Day

Boat Shows, Classic Boats, Restorations

Today, we have a mash-up of catch-up, whats-up from the past couple days of stories. One is two factory spec sheets on how to achieve the factory color for Cobras. Thank you Uncle Joe for that. Uncle Joe has all the secret goodies, which…

Unauthorized Prototype Cobra In The Water Spy Photos

We have the scoop here at Woodyboater, secret spy photos of Proto, the Prototype Cobra in the water. Here at WoodyBoater we go the extra mile for you in capturing the uncapturable. Our photographer snuck out in an old aluminum row boat and…

Boat Show Prep At Katz’s Marina

Boat Shows, Classic Boats, Restorations

It's happening. Now for sure we are getting back to a normalish thing here. Katz's Marina stories. After a year of dog and railway stories, and anything I could talk about that's within my 6ft was fair game, and you all have been so patient…

Quarantine Transom

Classic Boats, Community/Web, Restorations

A huge thanks to fellow Woody Boater Mark Schallip for giving me....and you the day off from my word butchering, and tasteless humor. Take it away Mr Schallip. No really take it, you can have it. Dims and babes.. All of it. Quarantine…

Cradle Of Pea Wee Love?

No... I didn't hire Billy Idol to build the cradle for Pea Wee. And yes I will post the video at the end of the story. So that ear worm will now be in your head all day. Sorry.. Today, The Pea Wee and Sweet Pea mash up is complete. My son…

A Gathering? Rally? Jamboree? Drive By? of Chris Craft…Trailers, Park?

Community/Web, Restorations

Thanks to fellow Woody Boater David Irvine for sending us in some photos from last weekends gathering of Trailers? Mobile Homes, Campers? Is this called a show? gathering? neighborhood? A Trailer Park? The good news for me.. not you, or…

Vintageize Your New Outboard With Vintage Outboard paint.

One of the issues with Yip Yap is her Nissan Outboard is kinda a mood killer. grey, but sure takes away from the cool factor. BUT, not a fan of old outboards as many of you know. I like the newer stuff. Reliable, and quiet, and no oil mixing.…

Crazy Priced Feathercraft On Ebay? Wait? mmmmm

Thanks to fellow Woody Boater Rob Schantz for making us aware of this little aluminum jewel on ebay. I am not sure if its Robs boat or who is selling it. But clearly the seller is a feller that loves old boats. Now at first quick glance,…

3 Inch, 4 Inch, 2, 3 Inch?

The Special V8 is in WECATCHEM and all lined up. And now the big question. Single exhaust or duel exhaust? I am inclined to keep her single since duel exhaust would not have been an option then. But increasing the copper pipe to a 4 inch?…

Bringing Back Brightness.

While everyone was defending our conspicuous passion yesterday, I turned off all my cell stuff and went to conspicuously work on stripping 30 years of paint off all the window trim on Sweet Pea. Wow, what a difference and wow what a pain…

Rocket Design Flaw? Ohhhhh Ship! Here We Go!

We got this question from long time Woody Boater Rocket Man. Take it away Mr R Man! First let me start by saying this is in no way a knock on Chris Craft runabout design. These boats are an engineering marvel and I love my Rocket. It rides…

It’s That Time Of Year. What? Why? What The?

Hi my name is Matt and I have a varnish problem. As in I love varnished wood, and can't seem to help myself. As if I dont have enough projects going on, I have been ignoring Sweet Pea while working on the new office and other things. Not…

If You Need A Stern or Bow Pole, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!

Put down whatever you are doing, and read this. Unless you are reading this already. In which case, stop reading this and start reading this? Oh crap, LOOP ALERT. Okay, I will let Jaxon and Jim Staib take it away today. Here ya go, take…

Mold the Future Of The Classic Boat Universe. Yup.. YOU?

Want to become a true fixture in the Classic boat universe? Today is your chance to start your journey, you, a fellow Woody Boater could own and craft the hardest thing to find in our passion. Parts. Wood can be remade, hard parts. No. There…

Let’s See The Workshop.

Art, Destinations, Restorations, Uncategorized

We have been focused on the smaller shop, but since December we have been going though tons of scrap wood, saw dust and templates, parts etc to see the workshop where 1000's of boats were built over the Century. Work benches, and so on.…

Reedville Marine Railway Preservation. Get Used To It. Hey!

Art, Destinations, Restorations

You want more Bruiser photos? Didn't think so. Sausage? Some. Railway before and afters is what we got in the kitchen, so that's what we got! Mountains of it. I have a back log of fun Railway stuff to use until it gets warm enough…

New Woody Boater Engine Confusion Just Got More Confusing.

Okay, you may need to actually pay attention here today. Sorry, I know its Saturday and yesterday we talked about the engine that drives Woody Boater the website and brand. As in a Server. Okay, thats in the works for Sunday Night. But in…

The “Daisy Chain Gang” Is On It!

Boat Shows, Community/Web, Destinations, Restorations

Breaking news, Yip Yap is officially on her way South. Steve has handed off the heir to the Woody Boater Empire's first boat. With great fanfare, she is highway bound. GO BOB GO! I am so thrilled I could.. well.. I don't know. This is fun,…

Ever thought Of Restoring A Boat? Start Small.

Don't make the same mistake... EXPENSIVE mistake I made, and start small on a restoration journey. On ebay today is a barrel Back Dumas kit thats been built and not finished. I had thought it would be fun to buy it and turn it into a left…

1929 Triple On Ebay, Worthy Of A Discussion.

In yesterdays comments someone brought up the Triple thats been on ebay for a bit. These can be very sweet fun boats with modern power and certainly look the part. So is it worth 12,000? Lets break it down. Trailer, 3000 So its really 9,000..…

Let’s Share Our NOS Weakness This Week. Introducing WeakNosWeek.

Well, yesterday we featured some of Syd's NOS Props, and you all delivered more NOS props, and flash back memories. So I got to thinki'n. mmmmm, what other cool NOS stuff is out there. And the gods of email delivered. Fellow Woody Boater…

Plywood Bottoms. Hold On. Before You Judge.

The other day we all looked at a very beautiful boat. Yet she sure had some bottom issues and I spoke about creative solutions. Now. To be clear. If your boat is a special boat. Then a 5200 bottom is for sure the way to go. But. As I have…

Kuhls Brochure Opens Up A Cautionary Conversation!

Art, Community/Web, Restorations

I have always loved the graphics of KUHLS, so when I found this brochure on ebay I scooped it up and now sharing with you. But as I look at the design I started to did in and do some research on the company. Which BTW, is not really around.…

Flathead Blow By Simple Solution

Lately I have been had to wear a mask while out alone on WECATCHEM. The blow by smell is so bad you can taste it. Forget that the Boatress complains that her cloths smell like engine! After googling around and talking to folks, Boat…

Bob Shapton – Michigan Boat & Engine

Art, Classic Boats, Restorations, Woody Boaters

If you are a comment reader you will no doubt recognize longtime fellow Woody Boater Bob Shapton. Bob is passion, and drive all bundled up in a very fun and kind human being. And one more reason to smile that our community is strong and…

Welcome to FassēCo. Perfecting The Perfect.

One click and you will be blown away. I was and am every time Read & Julie posts on Instagram. No, not a typo, his name is Read. So we can just move on from there. What Read and Julie do is AMAZING, in all caps, and even more inspiring,…

Jon & Kait’s V8’s Vintage Engine Restoration.

Today we start a wonderful week of hope and passion with a great team, who is taking the Vintage Boat Engine Business by storm. Yes a husband Wife team. How cool is this? They have learned from the best and decided to set out on their…

Closed Water Cooling System. Now What?

Since I write this sort of stuff every day, it can seem like I know what I am talking about. HA! Here is a little... large obvious secret. I AM CLUELESS. I can kinda write, and I can take an iphone photo. And best, I am consistent. But CLUELESS.…

Two Words As To Why Woody Boats Are The Best – Self Regenerating

Art, Community/Web, Restorations

We have now, or going to see, what happens when you leave your boat too long. You may be thinking, oh it just turns to dust. Or a weeny roaster. Oh, you might be sad to find out that if you had just left that Gray boat a little longer outdoors,…

Graves Plating Chrome After Three Years Of Salt Water Abuse.

As you may recall, or not, I had Graves Plating do the chrome on WECATCHEM about three years ago. How has it held up? Mind you I live in an area that is Salt water and brackish. Depending on the time of year. And well, it can be rough on…

I Need An Analog Automatic Pilot?