An Old Family Photo.
Old family photo of WECATCHEM
I have had a relationship with WECATCHEM for about 4 years ish. And we are beyond the varnish lust portion of our romance. Now she is part of of the family. I don’t feel compelled to be boating with her every moment. Not unlike just sitting and watching a film with my bride. Sometimes its wonderful to just be in the same room. Not a word spoken, but you can feel the bond, and your history together is what makes it a comfortable relationship. If you are wondering if I am writing about the Boatress, or the boat? Let me clear, in case she reads this. She wins! 100% of the time. My boats are certainly part of the family. Okay, this story is headed in a rabbit hole of disaster for me. Wow, I just just delete this and start over.
here is the photo again
Okay, here goes. About two months ago I received a wonderful email from one of WECATCHEM’s family. And attached was a small blurry photo of WECATCHEM in her boat house. The note was that he had just found our site and saw WECATCHEM on there. I suppose he had googled her to find out how she is. We had a wonderful email exchange and I sent him her old registration numbers and burgee for her old boat house that they still own.
Water Rats flag
Older photo of WECATHCHEM
Okay, to get back to my story, this old family photo that was sent, was like a boost of emotion. Like seeing childhood photos of your family, and in this case one I hadn’t seen before. Its nice to see how she lived, in that boathouse that was her home since 1948. A nice reminder that we are all not boat owners, but we have a relation ship with our boats. We care for them like family, and in a way, the way that we care for them is a reflection of all our relationships. So, you see a sad boat under a tree rotting away, and no doubt, many in that family are set aside to rot alone. So, get out your old photos, and go hug your boat. Right now. Go on.. Someone needs a hug!
“Emora” nicknamed Cremora ( it’s not inside, it’s on top! ) was built from plans in the Popular Mechanics magazine in 1958. Maybe this one…to race in Durban harbour in the 35hp category when the Sunderland Flying Boats were still there.
As I found her..under a tree with a hole in her tarp where the water had collected and a hose pipe thrown on top broke through.
This got me started 6 years ago.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we would love and respect and cherish people, family members and strangers as we do “our boats”? What a wonderful place this could be!
I haven’t hugged the boat today, but I have been caressing her for a long time with sandpaper, paint and varnish. Does that count or just sound weird?
Oh boy! Not weird here. But thats just here. Our little safe place. your varnish lust is understandable
Water Rats, that design… mmmm, I see a new Woody Boater T-Shirt.
I wish I had a photo of Rabbit from 1948, frolicking in the icy waters of Lake Vermillion in Northern Minnesota. I also wish I had a photo of what originally occupied our boathouse in 1939 on Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. Whatever it was, it wasn’t an inch over 17’.
We hug our Lyman every chance we get.
I really enjoy running down other owners of my pretty rare Fairchild Scout 30…there being so few of the boats this is a small family but always interesting to commune with. Know any owners to pass along?
John in Va
This one has been in our family since 1958. I am presently the owner of it. The memories this old boat has given us!
I don’t see any boat huggin’ in that header photo, but I do see a different kind of huggin’ goin on. (Pet huggin’). What happens in VA. stays in VA.
I “hugged” various parts of my long term project U-22 trying to get the stern light to work, puttered around with a few other things then installed the step pads, windshield rubber and hatch handle I got from Dr. Rot aka Jim Staib (great customer service BTW). I cleaned and fired up my 17′ Sportsman yesterday. Now it’s time to spend time with my wife (who’s been working on her own projects).