Through Kevin Fitzke’s Eyes, Okay, Eye. Okay, His Camera, Then His Eye.
I love this image. You can feel it, and captures a moment in time. Yet we know its a new image at the same time. It also tells a story. What story? And thats the point
We have all seen the images and social media frenzy around the Gull Lake show this weekend. Including some of these images, so sorry about the repeat, and over saturation of it all. BUT, I thought that these images from Kevin where noteworthy, and right down my ally. Why? Well, because they have a point of view, a soul. We all know Kevin is an artist. And his craft is just part of it. But the inner vision that guides that craft is what is so special. Depth, soul, and talent, all working in harmony in our little universe. Thats whats so cool about these photos. Same subject as you see everyplace, but you instantly know these are unique.
Before the storm of people
Headed out? Wait, is that a mannequin? Is he headed out to the Mens dept on the 4th floor?
Amazing, a dock shot thats art
You can feel the finish on her. Love the texture of smoothness and realness
Dash art
We have seen lots of WINDCREST, but none like this.
Even the guy standing on the dock adds humanity to this photo.
Okay, that shifter is bad ass
This is amazing
WOW, a dock shot worthy of framing. That says it all
Bows
Gutzy, best of show winner. 16 Racer. And true, it took some gutz to show up to this parade thats for sure.
Sterns. By the way, my head just exploded. Sorry about the mess
Feel it?
Good God!
A sliver of power and grace
We have all seen Scotty images, but this one really tells a story. Gives us perspective on her size and feel.
This captures the texture of hand made perfection.
And if you want to see more of Kevin Fitzke’s art, you can click here.
Great photos. I really like the cockpit shots and the Dodge Watercar is amazing.
What a collection of vintage race boats! Thank you Kevin and Matt!
John Allen (and Lee Anderson) produced a beautiful book for this weekend’s Gull Lake Show, covering all the breathtaking historic race boats at Gull this weekend. And to my surprise (and joy) the last spread was devoted to Fitzke’s Miss Moonshine. Not quite finished, it was on display on land this weekend.
And did I mention that John distributed that book this weekend for FREE? He also personally served dinner for the captains at his Fort Mahogany on Friday night. So generous in every way. Right down to the quality of those docks at Bar Harbor.
GREAT stuff and thanks for sharing. I have not seen any of this on FB.
I have to ask What Iz It? It kind of looks like one of the Jim Wynne / Walt Walters early builds like Wyn Mil.
This is an amazing boat. I first saw it, somewhat neglected, about 25 or 30 years ago parked in front of a lawnmower repair shop in Hackensack, Minnesota. Its amazingness sucked my car right off of Highway 371 and right up next to it for a closer look. I couldn’t for the life of me figure it out and left just shaking my head in wonderment. I drove by a couple of days later and it was gone. Oh well. I should have inquired then, but was it just another of those apparitions that happen every so often? You know, was it really there? Did I really see it? A few years later I saw it down at John Monahan’s shop in Little Falls, Minnesota, still striking, with those beautiful lines, but still needing some much needed attention. Fast forward a couple of years and it is at the White Bear Lake Show looking much better, but nowhere as nice as this year at Bar Harbor with an exceptional restoration, dressed to the nines. I should have photographed the storyboard on this one, it truly is a great story (sorry, but I didn’t memorize its contents, hell, I hardly remember driving home that day, I was so awestruck), but maybe someone else that was there has it. Anyone? Oh yeah, it is a home-built boat, I do remember that. It even has the original builder’s history, and one of the first, if not THE first Volvo-Penta outdrives in America. Yes, there is some history here.
And thanks Kevin, for the “warm” shots. Very heartfelt and comforting.
Lee: Thanks for the info.
It is my understanding that Wyn Mill was the test boat for Volvo-Penta outdrives.
I have also heard that Wyn Mill and Wyn Mill II were the wooden early design of the Donzi Sweet 16.
I have also seen Wyn Mill show up on Formula Jr. information pages (FB) which makes sense since Formula was another Jim Wynne / Walt Walters design.
Hello Lee
My name is Tom Siqveland. Dr. Ivar Siqveland, the designer and builder of the Wepasem, was my father…and I was his sidekick and gopher between 1956 and 1959 while he built the Wepasem in our garage in St. Paul.
I am attaching two links to articles I wrote for the 10 Mile Lake Association newsletter in the last couple years. Combined they give you a brief history of the boat and how it ended up as a featured boat in the 2024 Minneapolis Boat Show:
2023 Spring: https://online.fliphtml5.com/rqnko/nsgp/#p=10
2024 Spring: https://online.fliphtml5.com/rqnko/mnuf/#p=5
I would note that the Wyn Mill was built in 1962. The Wepasem had already been operating on 10 Mile Lake for 3 years when the boat was fitted with the Volvo. A close look at the outdrive (lower unit) of the Wyn Mill suggest it was a second generation design with a sleeker, more rounded design. Perhaps that is what was being tested.
Hi Tom,
I can’t thank you enough for bringing the provenance of this great boat forward. The whole background story is what makes this boat so significant in todays antique and classic boat world. So many of these kit or homebuilt boats have changed hands so many times that their history is lost. Not just your story, but the actual construction of this boat shows a high degree of skill and thoughtful planning. What a lot of people don’t realize is that a lot of these homebuilt boats were actually built by woodworkers who knew and respected the characteristics of the wood, and not assembly line fabricators, waiting for the next hull to come down the line. Every plank, every screw, every stroke of varnish came from one person’s hand, carefully done to their own level of perfection, much as restorations are done today. This boat is truly amazing.
Fantastic shots Kevin. Love the disciplined framing of your images and the varnish whiskey tone grade you’ve applied. This work really gets me excited. You’re looking for beauty within an already beautiful thing. There’s a fascinating interview of John Mayer by Hodinkee owner Ben Clymer. In it John talks about his love of fine watches saying to truly appreciate a watch you must“ look deeper, now look deeper, but look deeper again.” Your work reminds me of John’s advice. Beautifully done.
I LOVE every one of these photos! Thanks for sharing.