Toss That Ball?
You can put a square hole in a ?
Fellow Woody Boater CenturyMike sent us in this note and images. Paper weight? Ball? Something you put in the trunk of a car so they wonder what the hell is that making that noise? Or Trash? YIKES! The Woodyhoarder in me says I want it, but have no idea what to do with it, so it would sit around, and wait for a use. Here is Mikes kind note. LAKE DORA -17 DAYS!
Fetch the ball Rover? Thats one way to cure the endless tennis ball issue!
I was getting ready to throw this out when I wondered if maybe I should give it to someone that might use it… I think it is an old hitch ball but I haven’t seen one like it before. If you think you could use it or know someone that could I will throw it in the truck and give it to you in Mt. Dora. If not, I will toss it.
Cheers,
Mike
???????
With a few coats of coffee varnish it would make a good paperweight.
I’m pretty sure I have seen on – carriage bolt top top bottom. Very cool – would be neat on the back of an old Apache! Would use it for real though. Thanks for sharing.
Dad had one of those many years ago. We were not fond of it. The bottom support on ours was also hollowed out. Went to a solid one on the next hitch. Then we got trailers with different size couplers. Got tired of changing the balls on the hitch. Went with convert a ball hitch. So much easier.
Thanks Matt for the story. Although, I wonder what good pictures Troy is gonna come up with for this one…??? As for Dora, I won’t be draggin my boat down so please excuse me for drooling over yours if you bring it down. Looking forward to getting a few of those Tees and cushions and maybe hitching a boat ride.. Hope the weather co-ops. Nothing like seeing all the boat babes in shorts and tank tops or swim suits 🙂
Century Mike:
Bring it to Dora, someone will want it.
Since you asked, and brought up trailer hitches!
PS: If I end up with a boat a Dora I will be glad to take you for a ride, but it might not be what you are expecting.
My carriage bolt “ball” is sitting on top of a long threaded rod on the back of my lawn tractor to bring it up to the height of a trailer hitch. Another subject, for peace of mind I use a handheld infrared temperature gauge when trailering. When stopped I walk around the trailer and check tire and bearing temps to be proactive to possible problems on the road. Has worked well on many trips with LMML.
Good morning SpeedBoat Outlaw. Great photo, even if it was after you were almost drowned by a freighter wake! That was a great day.
An intact one for sale on eBay today…
Wow, that’s cool!
My Dad had one of those. Was my Grandpas It is still in Moms garage. They’re from the 30s, It worked well on our 56 Mercury station wagon
Does Bob (or anyone for that matter) know the story behind that header?
What in the world is going on?
Launching? Seems like it would be a little tough on the boat.
Troy
Here is the story that goes with this boat. This image just became part of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum collection. A great image for sure. No damage, since the boat was run on the lake.!
Looking closer it looks like they are retrieving a sunken boat?
If so, how did they get the cradle under and around it?
The bottom of the Photo says launching The Gretna. Just a typical day at the launch ramp. I think I heard the guy say “ here hold my beer”.
Good eye Turbo!
I sure would like to see that on video. Even a few pics in a row would be interesting, might even make WB story of the year.
Opened up Woodyboater today to find the text in a larger print.Easier on the eyes for sure.Is it just me or is this a new format?Love the header,looks more like a retrieval of a sunken boat than the launching of a new one.Quite a crowd packed in on that dock.
Tom:
Ask your grandchild to show you how to zoom in and out.
It can be very small 50%.
Or very large.
300%
All up to you in how you adjust it.
Jeesuz that header photo looks like the latest installment of “Boneheaded Boaters” on YouTube….
Did boat ramps not exist back in the good ole days?
(My favourite episode is below….an idiot walking a trailer and boat down to the water, with the hitch release in the UP position, right under his uh, his uh, rear porthole….)
Viewing this post very late and having the advantage of all the other posts, it is clear that the header photo is a launch as inscribed on the photo. It looks like the pier has a pivoting launch platform devoted to the effort. You can see the carriage under the keel that must be attached to the wooden frame holding the stern down. Also, the strap and lines in the bow are going to keep the bow fast to the carriage as it all lowers onto the water. The carriage takes all the forces. It looks like a simple and useful devise for a marina with a lack of appropriate natural ramp available on the local shoreline. Maybe local folks remember it?
Clay, this was 1914 and the device did not survive. The boat was delivered to that location by rail, so it could have been the cradle it was shipped on. The boys launching were well know boat guys and could figure out anything!. Chris Craft hull #10 was delivered by rail to the same location a little over 10 yrs later.
How about this. Will these balls work on a boat trailer?