Varnish Is In The Air At Katz’s Marina

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Minett Shields in the assembly area. GAAAAAAAAAA

This is my favorite time of year, when you can feel hope in the air, and the wiff of fresh varnish. And no one does it as well as the Katz’s Marina Gang. AHHHHHHHHHH, the finish is insane, and, well, it’s amazing how a wonderful varnish job can bring a boat to life. The glimmer, the pop, the sparkle, its all there dancing a ballet with the shimmering waters of summer……sizzling it to death, and so the drama of life and death play out on every boat ride. Who says these are just boats? They are life! And Varnish is the elixir of all thats great in the universe. Unless a bug gets into it. Then Life sucks.

A Bob Kays Image

WOW! Thats alotta style

Perfection

The word GLORIOUS comes to mind

Barrel Back getting some sanding

U22 getting a paint and refresh

GAD ZOOKS

Did we mention the Black Cobra! YA! Lots to take it.

COBRAAAAAAH!

And more Cobra’s being saved!

Now if this doesnt get you all jazzed up for Lake Dora.. YOU ARE DEAD INSIDE. Go sniff some varnish!

19 replies
  1. Dan Overbeek
    Dan Overbeek says:

    Those sure are beautiful boats! The finishes leave me in awe. I really tried to make Dora work this year, but just couldn’t . I’m hoping you guys take a ton of photos to share!

    • Art
      Art says:

      At least Katz’s knows how to read a Chris Craft drawing…….the lifting rings are spot on, on the Cobra.

  2. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    The navigation lights inset into the Minette Shields hull are something I have never seen before. The Canadian builders do a lot of unique things!

    • Randy
      Randy says:

      It still has the ‘traditional’ red/green nav light on the deck (at bow), which is what used to be the ‘legal’ set-up. Somewhere along the many past years the USCG changed that. The reason I noticed the rule change was when AristoCraft changed from the divided partition running light on the bow to the separated running lights on both sides of the hull. A/C continues to put both on their ‘new’ Torpedo’s. I prefer the cleaner ‘old’ style.

  3. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    It is a cold snowy Monday morning, but in one week I depart for Dora! No last minute varnishing for me, but maybe Southwest will wax up the plane to look extra nice for my arrival.

  4. Troy in ANE
    Troy in ANE says:

    Katz always seems to have some of the most beautiful boats in house!

    We fly to Key West tomorrow for a week before arriving in Tavares on the 18th.

    See you there (accept for Dan)!

    Speaking of Cobras and Dora here is a shot from 2015.

    • Kentucky Wonder
      Kentucky Wonder says:

      If you appreciate high quality, unique, classic boats, you really should attend the ACBS Toronto show in Gravenhurst in July. That show perennially features better boats than the International Show. And they do it with boats produced and based locally. The Minett Shields pictured today is a great example of the hundreds of great boats plying the waters of Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph every summer day.

  5. Wayne Bomb
    Wayne Bomb says:

    m-fine, are you loading up with bacon and pastrami again this year? You really set the bar high last year!

  6. John Trainer
    John Trainer says:

    The last time I saw that Minett it was in the Port Sandfield Marina in Muskoka. How did it get to New Jersey?

  7. Don Palmer
    Don Palmer says:

    No Matt, really, I am not dead… I’m sure of it… ask Kirk or Dick. They are looking right at me! Kirk is skippering his boat “Connie” from “Boys in the Boat”!

    • Kirk Knapp
      Kirk Knapp says:

      I dunno Don, you might be dead? That’s an old picture, a lot has happened since then🤣
      Also gonna have to make a correction…..it’s CONNY🤣🤣🤣

  8. Walt
    Walt says:

    So how does Katz, or anyone, get varnish to look that smooth? Do they spray it? Brush and then wet sand and buff (like you would a car)? Is it varnish like I could buy or some special catalyzed clear?

  9. Philip Andrew
    Philip Andrew says:

    Jeepers that Black cobra is cool. Outrageous. Wish it was mine.
    Seth and the team building another dream

Comments are closed.