Varnish Is In The Air At Katz’s Marina

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This is my favorite time of year, when you can feel hope in the air, and the wiff of fresh varnish. And no one does it as well as the Katz's Marina Gang. AHHHHHHHHHH, the finish is insane, and, well, it's amazing how a wonderful varnish…

New Zealand Lapkin Style.

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A huge thanks to Steve Lapkin and Duster for getting some great water action shots from New Zealand. It just gets better and better, and a great way to get us all in the mood for Lake Dora and BOATING SEASON! STAY…

In The Water In New Zealand

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Today we are still showing some of the magic of New Zealand, and starting to tease out what is going to be an amazing two day finalle from Steve Lapkin, These shots are from Duster and show the show as if you were there, the art part will…

The M27, Moores Yachts First Build, Is Aptly Named “Patience.”

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There is over the top, and then there is over, over the top when it comes to design, build and bringing dreams true. The process of taking that vision and making it a real thing is one of the most special human abilities on the planet. It…

Morning Sunshine At The Global HQ

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Meet SOUTHWIND, She is another Butler built boat, mid 1960's and is the last round stern boat built by Georges father. We were lucky enough to have both boats there for a moment before SOUTHWIND went up on the rails. It was going to be a…

WHOOPS Gets A New Engine Cover For Lake Dora

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Over the winter, Wayne Bomb tackled a beast of a project. A new lighter engine cover for the 17 Ski boat. Of course the entire boat is kinda custom, so no need to try and be original. And no need to start over. It is what it is and cool…

Glenna Fay Is On Her Way To Fish Another Day

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The annual Glenna Fay report is in and she is ready to go fishing again. Over the winter she had some extensive patching, and paint scratching for sure. And Peale just chipped away at it when the weather was warm enough to work. Which was…

Presidents Day Rerun Of A Rerun. Why? Because No One Really Cares.

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TODAY I AM RUNNING THIS OLDER STORY ON PRESIDENTS DAY. And RUNNING IT AGAIN. Like A RE RUN RERUN WHY? Well, this seems to be a day no one really agrees on, and further more, I am including the comments so you don't even have to comment if…

Ship Show Week Comes To A Sad End – Rest In Pieces A Short Film

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Happy Super Bowel Sunday.  Ya I know, the Term Super XXXX is a copywriter term, so I need to stay clear of that, and my typo better describes the story today anyway with Ship Show week. Anyway, here is the film of the entire death march of…

A New Sofa For HQ.

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As part of the Ship Show this week, I was able to get me a new sofa/bar/entertainment center. At least thats what it will be when I am done. Its perfect, with a platform and some cool wheels, refinish, cushions. BAM. And I can motorize it…

The Old Boats Home Is Under Way And Actually Assisting Folks

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I know some of you are confused, and sorry, but I do promise it will all make sense. I have to wait longer than I thought to release the info, and so it kinda has become a mess so to speak. So, I am going to just do a shameless plug for…

Art And Miss Pepsi, Our Art, Not Art As In Art. But Art As In Art. You Know Art. Why Do I Keep Needing To Explain This?

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Just when you thought Art's family couldn't get any cooler, Art recalled this little bit of history pertaining to Belle Isle and life in Algonac Michigan in the 1950's. BTW, this just scratches the surface of Art's cool family. take it away…

The Old Boats Home Becomes #1 Of The Year In One Week

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Thanks so much for all the support and signing up to The Old boats Home.  Clearly there is a need for a place to ask each other questions about how to work and enjoy our boats. Hopefully those of you that have used it have been happy with…

The Birth Canal Rocket Identified, Is It Yours?

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A huge thanks to the Katz's Marina gang for looking up the special Rocket featured in the report the other day. The boat is number 42 one of the B engines. And whats also cool, it we can also narrow down the year of this photo. And if you…

Art Get’s Paul Harvey To Tell The Rest Of The Story

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In yesterdays comments, Art mentioned the famous Sportsman Cover in the 1938 catalog set we finally got in the mail. Some may recall the original story, some may not. But the cover shot was shot at Art's Grandfathers home, and of course that…

The Sun Is Setting On This 60ft Chris Craft Cruiser

If you are in the market for a project, and want to start at a good point. How does FREE sound! Yup! Free! As in FREE. This cruiser has now been trough all the legal crap after being abandoned at the dock a year ago. And now she is about…

“Has Anyone Seen My Hull Number”

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Fellow Woody Boater Brock Horsley has a wonderful model 99 and is trying to find his hull number stamped into the wood on, well the hull. And this has taken a while and worth the effort since.. Wait for it...Here is Brocks note to us. "I…

When A Car Dealer Sells A Classic Boat. Do They Know What They Are Really Selling?

One of the things about our community I love, is that for the most part, like 99% of are looking out for the next guy and their experience with a classic boat. I am including our broker community as well. I know most of them, and they are good…

George Wants Some Tee Nee Fenders For Christmas

It's officially that time of year when your loved ones are hunting for some sort of gift to give you for the holidays. And of course, they always blow it. Cause they really don't know your deepest dreams. Like you really want a new 3 inch…

The Most Original Pre War Chris Craft Aquaplane?

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Not to be outdone by Bob Murdock, who found one of the nicest most original Chris Craft Aquaplanes, I think? This is an all original Pre war one. The line is not original, but the finish sure is, and the lettering? Thats a question I have,…

Spontaneous Hale Mary Road Trip To Smith Mountain Lake

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4AM and I am back on the road again. This time for a 5 hr each way drive to Smith Island lake. Oh, the Smith Island Lake gang is gonna be pissed they missed this one. I may even just drive around the lake and honk my horn. Okay, maybe thats…

YA YA YA! I Am AWAKE NOW.

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Well, maybe you have noticed the stories this week were kinda on the light,? lite? side. I was on the road to DC, then New Jersey for a two day meeting, then back to DC and got home yesterday. BUT normally I would be all set, and looking…

Pulling The Plug On Your Loved One.

Well, it had to be done. We had a group meeting with the meteorologists, Al Gore, and psychiatrist, and all decided it was the right time and so yesterday we said good bye to another summer for WECATCHEM. I know. But she is in a better place…

Here Comes The Blue On Stinky

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Over the past couple days I have been adding some more color and so on to Stinky, the big problem is of course where to stop. Its getting a tad over done and could dangerously appear that I care. Which of course could ruin the entire Stinky…

A Spontanious Butler Boats Reunion

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The weather has been jaw dropping and everyone is using this moment to get their boats ready for the winter. And just pure luck we had three of the Butler Built Boats here at the railway at one time. The Glenna Faye, a wonderful 1940's round…

Last, Last Gasp, Newport Style

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A Huge thanks to Bob Kays for saving the week with some variety. A last gasp with his Boatress Denise and a visit with Bjorn, and on a fancy boat. BTW it's going to be 85 here this weekend in Virginia, so you know what that means! Take it…

Breaking News- George Butler’s Bottom Is Done

Two wars, Taylor Swift, and The Speaker Of The House drama step aside. We have some real news. George has flipped his Riviera over to start its next step to completion. Yes, and he has a set up so he can do it himself. This bottom job is…

Thumbscrews? What?

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You are thinking where in the hell is Matt going with todays story? One, you're thinking? Okay okay.. Yesterday I asked about that hole in Stinky's hatch. And for the life of me I can not figure it out. Makes no sense for a handle, but there…

A Step Beyond: A Consummate Craftsman Designs His Own

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What do you do when you’re a boat builder and restorer of renown? You take it to the next level and learn the art and science of navel architecture to design and build your own masterpiece. Regular readers of Woody Boater already…

Torturing Stinky With Load Music And Pointy Objects

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Yesterday afternoon after zoom calls I was able to get away and do some more scraping on Stinky. Oh! And quickly I realized that she may not be liking this? Ya, things starting getting very personal. Is she happy to have this done. Was the…

More Freaky Weird Spiritual Stuff With Zip Going On.

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Okay, it's official, the gods of old boats and old stories is getting a tad crazy now. LIKE! WTH? CRAZY!!!!! No doubt you have seen the above image by now in todays story. Another newspaper clipping we were sent by Lean Edwards Daughter.…

“It’s Not The Last Gasp…Not By A Long Shot (or two, or three)”

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We got us a report from Sir Steve Lapkin Prince of the order of lenses.  Honestly Steve is a very humble royal, and well. We just say Lapkin.  Anyway I will let his lord of the lense take the story over. I am just getting confused as to…

Well? At Least I Am Not Alone

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As you may recall several years ago, I did the same thing here in Reedville in Sweet Pea.. I got this from Hamster from a Facebook  post from the Lake George Boaters Facebook page. Ugh, Facebook news! And of course everyone has something…

Another Crappy Story From Woody Boater.

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We got this fun report in from long time fellow WoodyBoater Tom Gruenauer regarding a new project barn find. I had to wait because of all the amazing perfection coming out of Michigan this past week. Somehow I love the contrast of Toms new…

Howe Marine Drive By Shooting

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I apologize to all the google searching and finding out you land here on Woody Boater and no doubt will be disappointed to find out that we are just a bunch of old boat freaks and all you are going to see is old boats, old people and one…

SHOOT OUT! – Rainy Day People Are The Best People.

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It's no secret, I love me some rainy boat photos. Nothing says passion more than being out on your boat in the rain. Add to that some Michigan chill, and you got a great day for sure. Especially when its over and a warm cup of tea hits the…

More Pre Event Images From The Pre Pre Event In Michigan.

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Today we finish up the unofficial pre pre event up in the Hessel area. A special thanks to Shannon and Scott for the amazing pics, and a reminder that it's all about the boats, people and friendship. And boathouses, okay and tools, gotta…

A Groggy Morning In Woodyboaterville -Boat Show Hangover

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A huge standing ovation to all that put together the smaller boat shows around the county. While setting up and getting stuff going for the show, it all seems energizing, and then when its over. It hits. And the usual 4AM wake up your internal…

Reedville Ready At WoodyBoater Global HQ

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Last night the party here in Reedville VA the party got started. And the welcome reception got underway, about 40 folks showed up to the bar and yummy food provided by the Reedville Fishermen's Museum and some big giant fans, which kept…

The Art Of The Race By “Knot That Jeff Gordon”, Starring Tommy Beatley

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We have weeded through over 400 photos and about 35Gigs of footage, and today we are going to show some of the crazy artsy and behind the scenes images from the big Beatley Edwards Reshootout. The race footage is going to take a little time…

Live-ish From September 1967

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Today is kinda a special day, it's the beginning of September and that marks almost exactly 56 years ago that Zip had her moment in time. The race was in September 1967 and we went back to the exact location during the trial run and had some…

“It’s Better Than Any Medication Today, Thats For Sure”. Tommy Beatley

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Many of you asked yesterday what Tommy said when he saw the boat. Tommy is a man of few words, and wasn't speechless thats for sure. He was in fact blown away and was calling all his buddies on his flip phone to come see her. BTW, I have offered…

Getting Zip Ready For Her Comeback Run

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While everyone was enjoying the Gull Lake Tahoe Hessel mash up of visual splendor, Wayne Bomb and I were getting Zip ready for her big comeback run. As you may recall. Or not. Doesn't matter, Zips fateful havoc wreaking run was on...wait…

Shhhhhhh, Hangover From Gull Lake Yesterday

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We didnt get a report in this morning. But I did get notes on what an amazing day it was. So much so, the day off today was granted since we did have some left overs from yesterdays artery clog of stories. Reports will no doubt be coming…

“Tomorrow Won’t Come Soon Enough!” Managing Eleventh Hour Minutiae.

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And the hits just keep coming from Sir Lapkin of the Gull Lake - And a new word MINUTIAE and even more larger words, so you know I didn't write it. Take it away Sir. “Tomorrow Won’t Come Soon Enough!” Managing Eleventh Hour…

Gull Lake Lyrical Lapkin

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INTO THE MYSTIC……AT GULL LAKE” Van Morrison’s Into The Mystic is perhaps the single song that best captures the artist’s talent for crafting peaceful tunes with poetic lyrics that showcase life through a spiritual lens. I, as…

KAKI Rules The Waterways In Reedville

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Yesterday afternoon we had a chance to get KAKI the poster boat for the Reedville Show on September 9th running and take rides. As you may recall from the countless posts,  KAKI is a 1954 Montgomery Wards Sea King, and we got the matching outboard…

Meet Nannet, The Reason The Woody Boater HQ Is Here.

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Every now and then the universe reminds you of why you have made the decisions you have made. Good and yes, bad. The bad part is called Anxiety in my universe. And trust me, I have my fare share of it. With all my craziness, things go wrong.…