12 Years Ago, Bob and I Took These Photos
B burried in the mess
This photo was taken years before the accident and featured on WB as a header
I remember where I was when I got the news that the building had collapsed up on Lake Hopatcong, and quickly went up there to either help, or grab images, little did I realize that exactly 12 years later, I would be getting B ready for Lake Dora.
Air lifted out of the ruble. She had punctured holes in the bottom and damage on her sides
Repaired
The Header of the day.
BTW, this is the second floor. B fell an entire story and held up a wall of sorts
No piles of stuff on her now
Bob taking a picture of me out on the Lake
I had loved this little boat even before this happened, which is why I suppose there is a small library of images
Better lettering than my crappy shaky lines, but that C is wrong… Just say’n
UGH
Not her final resting place!
Here is the broken rub rail, now at the engraver
Almost there
The damage was extensive and because of the bottom being a mess, and total loss. OR?
On August 9th 2021 I brought her to the railway for Mr B, and to be a learning lesson. I can’t read a book, I have to trial and error things to learn. This was a perfect sort of crash course one could say, for me to try out stuff I have talked about here.
So for 4 years she sat around here, collecting dust, and a reminder of my plan..
Mr B took an instant love for it
Sniff sniff
I even quickly lettered it for him to set the tone
Getting it ready for the adventure
Not sure what or why I was moving it
But if the windsheild was off, must have been last year
B has always been a wonderful texture in the space and great photo ops.
Ready to party
And always at the back of the project line. April 2023
Always watching others get worked on, but I was scarred. So she sat until I felt I could at least try and not leave it half done.
After all, there are some never to be done projects here.
Oh boy. Anyone want a barrel back?
Yikes
STAY TUNED
As requested, here is a list of the damage as found when we started
Bottom shot, original, with two large holes from the building collapse
Major damage on the deck, covering boards split
two side planks broken and shot
Engine, hole in manifold, broken tach cable and fitting on distributor, hasnt run in 10 years
Britework old and in need of a refinish
Chrome was sketchy
Interior needs repair.
Original fuel tank
The dream, the challenge, could all this be done in three months for under $3,ooo for Lake Dora? I am currently adding up the parts, and time involved. IF we had to pay for labor, no way this could have been done, as to the time issue, the hours will surely be in the three month area, we did start in October, but mostly weekends.
A very tragic story with a very happy ending, but we still have to hear her run.
Now for your next act, a pattern boat. Baby Gal is waiting!
What an amazing story. You certainly have alot to put on a story board for the boat show. You might need to put it on a digital frame slideshow. My favorites are the photos of B in B. With the success of this project and the increased confidence of your skills and abilities, I can’t wait to see what’s eventually next in your creative crosshairs.
WOW! GrrATE effort!
Congratulations Matt on a job well done! Your quest to get “your butt in a boat” offers hope for many that it can be accomplished!
The picture of that Barrelback reminded me of a 17’ and 19’ in my stable that I sadly know will never get done in my lifetime.
My hope is that showing your resilience to “get ‘er done”, just might inspire others to “just do it”.
Time to get your “B” wet!!!!
Wow! I wasn’t “hanging” with you folks back when this happened. What a great, albeit sad, story. It makes the current restoration story, just that much more enjoyable!
Saved another one. Good job Matt and friends.
B’n’B are cute shots! Truly remarkable project bringing her back from the ‘graveyard’.
Were there any other survivors that were put away in storage hoping for the day when they could be resurrected?
Such a great story. It’s been a blast following along.
It is GREAT to see B get the LOVE she deserves!
As bad as the damage was, it was just wood, for the most part, and not structural? Amazing that the windshield and it’s hardware were untouched. I see it had a spotlight, not going back on?