Do You Suffer From PMW – Pre Mature Winterizing?

It's OK, 6 out of every 10 boaters suffer from it. It can be rather emotional and touchy to talk about. But we are here to talk about it in the open. Think of the pain and missed pleasure your partner is missing out. Pre Mature Winterizing…

Woody Boater Needs A Restoration!

Over the past 9 years we have redesigned Woody Boater three times. It's a by product of the ever changing world of social media and how people are consuming information. Over the next couple months we are going to be rethinking stuff. Like…

If Everyone Wins An Award? Is It An Award? You Be The Judge.

,
Yesterdays topic sparked a huge bitch fest behind the scenes regarding all sorts of ACBS judging standards. So we thought, lets bring them out in the light. What the hell, we hav'nt had a good fight in a while. First the entire Judging thing…

Undressing Miss America. NSFW

,
A couple weeks ago at the Big Smith Mountain Lake Show, we had the fortunate pleasure to undress Miss America. And yes, for an over 50 year old it was the same feeling as if I was 17, and well, you know, the same as undressing Miss 38th…

The Real Engine That Runs Our Passion – Friendship!

This weekend as many of you know we are prepping the Baby Barrel Back Barn Find, AKA 4Bs to get ready for her public debut at the big Smith Mountain Lake Show next week. As we are plowing through a list of countless little things, I realized…

Think Oil Is Oil? Well Butter My Butt And Call Me Toast.

OK, confession time. For the past month I have been on pins and needles and depressed about oil. The new W was burning through a quart of oil every hour of running at around 2300 RPM. Now. I blamed myself. Was there something I did wrong…

Woody Boater Vs Your Facebook Page.

,
This story is a long time coming and sadly this summer has forced us to speak out so feelings are not hurt. When we started Woody Boater 9ish years ago, facebook and classic boats were not a real big thing. There was some stuff on there,…

Time Stands Still In My Woody Boat.

,
Time Stands Still In My Woody Boat The sky is no bluer than before The water less alive A smile, a wave no less warm The mahogany as bright as always The rumble of a flat head no less energizing Time stands still, as you motor…

It’s Not The Condenser, Or Cut Off Switch, It’s The Soul Of Classic Boating!

,
Over the past few weeks, we have been living out various issues, like rotten new condensers and a couple weekends ago, a rotten cut- off thingamajig. While talking to Dave VanNess, he pointed out that it's not the Chinese condensers. One,…

I Am Building A Great Wall Around My Classic Boat Ignition Parts. READ COMMENTS!

, ,
Son of a B! GD,F'n regulator. Ok, Calm down, go to your happy place. MY F'N HAPPY PLACE IS GOING OUT ON MY BOAT! OK, breath in, breath out. All week I have been looking forward to going on at least ONE friek'n boat ride, Last week it was…

Really? Are You Kidding Me? It’s A Conspiracy I Tell Ya. A Conspiracy!

After a month a rain, breaking records in Virginia I might add, not to mention the entire "Condenser issue". Friday as a throng of family members are all here to go Woody Boating, the lift stops working. In what looks to me like a huge condenser,…

Drum Roll Please – And The Answer To The Mystery Final Fix Engine Breakdown Is….

, , ,
What? You think I am not going to force you to click on the story to find out? With the weather the way it's been, no boating, so no story material. Heck we have even tapped out ebay. China patterns. SOS! So, you want to know what the final…

Enjoy The Journey Of Restoring A Classic Boat. It May Just Change Your Life.

For many, the idea of restoring a classic boat is a kin to going to the dentist every day for two years. OK, unless you are a Dentist, then its like going to a .. I don't know? No, I really don't know. Is there something worse?  Anyway,…

ACBS See’s Nice Respectable Growth Of It’s Membership!

If you get caught up in the gossip and drama behind the scenes of the ACBS, you may have heard that membership is up. Which is a fantastic sign and proof that the new acceptance of fiberglass, new website and new blood on the board of Directors…

Is Buying And Owning A Classic Boat As Expensive As People Think?

Is this an April Fools Joke? The quick answer a big huge capitol letters NO!  Think we have lost our minds? Read on! Lets start right out with the purchase price. All we gotta say is shop around for a new plastic boat. Lets say a 22 foot…

“Training Wheels” A Touching Short Story By Alex Watson

, , ,
Training Wheels Have you ever picked a boat name, and then sought out the right boat to bear it? I did. The name I picked was “Training Wheels.” This was to be a “kidsʼ boat.” An entry level to learning how to operate the…

The Classic Boat Culture Is At A Crossroads!

, ,
This past Lake Dora show was to us here one of the best events of the past Lake Dora events. But, it down in size, both at the gate and with vendors. Gas prices are way below the norm, the weather was amazing, and the event was well publicized…

Support Your Classic Self, And The Rest Will Take Care Of It’s Self

One of the interesting things about running Woody Boater is we hear most everything going on in the passion. One can start building a idea of whats happening, or going to happen by putting together lots, and lots of different conversations. …

“A Modest Proposal To Extend Last Gasp.” By Bruce Bildsten

,
Thanks for all stopping by to our 5th Annual Virtual Holiday Party. It's still warm out and Fellow Woody Boater Bruce Bildsten AKA "Rabbit" was sitting in an airport and wrote this down! Funny how time just waiting can be so empowering. Take…

Woody Boating At The Intersection Of Hollywood & Hessel.

Well, it happened. Both Texx and I at the same time were in route last night to two different areas, and wound up in a internet and sleep deprived mess. Texx is at the Fleabag Inn in Michigan with a very bad internet , and I was on a flight…

What Could Possibly Go Wrong With An Online Rant Section For Classic Boaters?

Recently one of the classic boat forums has been considering a "Rant" category on the forum. A place for people to vent and talk about bad or good experiences with suppliers, brokers, and restoration places. I am not sure if this is going…

Fast! What’s That Unrestored Boat On Ebay Really Worth?

Yesterday we featured a rare Chris Craft Silver Arrow that needs some restoration. One of the comments mentioned what something like this would cost to restore. It got me thinking that maybe Woody Boater could help advise folks out there considering…

A Deep Apology From Woody Boater To Our Readers.

Over the past couple months, Woody Boater has taken on a tone we are not to happy about. It's become contentious and smutty. Readership is up of course, folks love a good nasty comment, and scantily clad girls are always a cheap eye grabber.…

Why Advertising On Woody Boater Is Smart For All Of Us!

,
I know this story does not involve boats, or a show, sorry.Today's story is to companies that depend on all of us for a living.  This is the time of year we make plans for next year and of course we are rebuilding the entire brand as we speak.…

Debate Week Part 6 – Resto Mods!

What a week this has been, to be honest some of my thoughts have been blown to bits. And I am truly thankful for that. After all, you are Woody Boater and we want to make sure we reflect the general gist of the passion. And of course stick…

Debate Week Part 5 – Is The Term Antique & Classic No Longer Applicable?

With the addition of the new term Late Classics and the introduction of fiberglass and other materials into the official judged categories, should we be retiring the long term Antique & Classic which describe age, vs, the new term we are…

Debate Week Part 5 – Is The Term Antique & Classic No Longer Applicable?

With the addition of the new term Late Classics and the introduction of fiberglass and other materials into the official judged categories, should we be retiring the long term Antique & Classic which describe age, vs, the new term we…

Debate Week Part 4 – Are Classic Boat Shows Getting Smaller?

This topic today may really piss some folks off. But this is a topic being talked about. So lets talk about it. The facts are that show attendance is down despite the economy being up. And I would add, that the interest in Collectable boats…

Debate Week Part 3 – Modern Power vs Original Power (What's Best?)

Come on, you know you want a nice new Mercruiser in that U22. Sure that underpowered romantic flat head sound is perfect. The simplicity of fixing it with a hammer and screw driver. Sure it can blow a gasket faster than your wife after she…

Debate Week Part 3 – Modern Power vs Original Power (What’s Best?)

Come on, you know you want a nice new Mercruiser in that U22. Sure that underpowered romantic flat head sound is perfect. The simplicity of fixing it with a hammer and screw driver. Sure it can blow a gasket faster than your wife after she…

Debate Week Part 2 – Fiberglass Classic Boat Bottoms – Hidden Gremlins, Obvious Solution?

Topic two of debate week is a fun one and may save you or cost you some money one day! OK, OK, we all have heard that if the bottom of a boat has been fiberglass it's bad.. Or is it? After all, done properly, some fiberglass bottoms have…

Debate Week Part 1 – Should Profesional Boat Restorers Be Allowed To Show Boats?

, ,
Here at Woody Boater we decided to devote an entire week to debate some of the touchy topics that our culture deals with. Today's topic is topic one of a week of debate topics. This specific topic is taking place behind the scenes at some…

The Woody Boatress Gets Ready For Her Big Avon Walk!

, ,
The Boatress would like to thank all those that purchased the Woodys For Boobies shirts and donated to the walk set for October 25 -26 in Charlotte. A total of 39.3 miles.  The team practices every morning and has been tirelessly getting…

WARNING! The Photo In This Story Is Very Tramatic To View.

This nice sunset shots today from Alex Watson to help start your day, BUT last night Paul Harrison sent us a horrible photo, but for the sake of saving your day, you must click on the read more link to see. OK, OK, OK, now, for the…

Why Did We Disconnect The Woody Boater Connection?

If you are paying attention, and really who is? You might have noticed that the New Woody Boater Connection is gone.. Gone despite our fellow Woodyboaterites wanting it. So why? Well.. It kept crashing the site.. And it became a spam magnet.…

Are 6 Volt Bilge Pumps Going The Way Of The Paramylodon?

We need to raise our arms in the sky and scream and protest to the eventual extinction of the 6 Volt bilge pump! Thats right, it's not just obscure animals or prehistoric bugs that are leaving us. It's bilge pumps of the 6 volt kind. Forget…

Woody Mulcher?

SO... Ya ever have one of those days? YA know the kinda day where all your plans are to do one thing, and they all turn into another thing. That was yesterday. Here I am, Mr Woody Boater, down at the Reedville HQ, the weather is stunning…

Could This Be Your Next Dream Boat?

From time to time we like to feature special boats for sale on the webinator. Buying a boat on Craigslist or ebay can have its risk, but if you have someone look at it for you, it can be rewarding. But before you go see the boat it's always…

A Corvair! The Next Woody Boater Tow Vehicle?

While the hunt is still on here in Woodyboaterville, Ford F150, Chevy or Dodge, I saw this ad. Mmmmm A Corvair? I loved my old Corvair. Actually I had several, including a speedy Spyder.. I had no idea that they would make a great tow vehicle.…

Is Using Another Boat To Sell Yours A Good Idea?

,
We have been seeing a trend lately of the use of others photos to sell boats that are not the boat being sold. In this most recent ad we found on Craiglist, the seller is using a photo of a photo on a calendar taken by Don Ayers, for the…

Thanks For The Arguments!

From time to time here at Woody Boater we dive into topics that cause some great debate, plastic vs wood is one of those debates. With classic plastic becoming more and more popular out there it has to be talked about. This same issue is…

Just Because We Like Plastic, Should We Change Our Name?

Last week on Woody Boater we featured three days of Pumpkin party fun. I realized that three days of coverage on one boat might bore some folks, but what I did not expect was some backlash on featuring some plastic! Then of course a small…

The Perfect Reply To Yesterdays Story – Dave Bortner Freedom Boat Service.

Like the boatress says. Woody, you are right all the time dear, unless you are wrong, and when you are wrong, your wrong. Ya just can't win. Yesterday was one of those days. A real moment in the hobby where we all discussed the ups and downs…

Classic Boat Prices – What Are They Thinking?

From time to time, it's a good idea to stick my neck out and say some things that need to be said. For the record, this is the conversation that takes place behind the facade of politeness everyday in my email and at boat shows. Here is how…

If You Are Easily Offended, Today Is Your Day!

,
From time to time we enjoy posting pictures of vintage boat babes. Sexism, yes, BUT, Honestly to us, they are part of the cheesy marketing effort of brands back in the day. They must be viewed with a sense of humor and part of pin up art…

Steve Says – It’s All A Matter Of Perspective

,
Steve Bunda loves working on wooden boats and has been involved with them his entire life. For Steve, who has lived on Okauchee Lake for more than 30 years, what started out as a passion for wooden boats eventually became his profession, when…

An Updated-ish Woody Boater. Plowing Ahead Full Speed-ish!

,
Roughly five and a half years ago, I sat down and started typing. With no real forethought or ability to either spell or write. How much things have remained the same in 5 and a half years. And yet, how much they have changed. The first…

TABOO TALK! Multi Listing Your Classic Boat For Sale. Good Or Bad?

,
We here at Woody Boater are going to start a new series of conversations for the Woody Boater community to talk about Taboo topics in the open. Things that are said behind the scenes so as not to cause any fights. Trust us, there are enough…