An “Impromptu” Club Run Of Woody Boaters On Clear and Stoney Lakes In Sunny Ontario
Sometimes last minute “Impromptu” club gatherings turn out to be simply wonderful events, fellow Woody Boaters enjoying the warm weather and locking in some great memories before the inevitable winter weather arrives. Here’s a great story from fellow Woody Boater and Contributor Sean Conroy and his wife Cindy that took place on Saturday. – Texx
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An “Impromptu” Club Run On Clear and Stoney Lakes
Story & Photos by Sean & Cindy Conroy
Hi Guys,
When opportunity presents itself you have to go… And that’s just what the TSACBA (Trent Severn Antique & Classic Boat Association) did yesterday. When the hottest day of 2013 was posted in September, the club reasoned (guessed, hoped, prayed) there were more good days to follow closely behind. So they quickly scheduled an “Impromptu” club run on Clear and Stoney Lakes on Southern Ontario’s Kawartha district. They couldn’t have got it more right. A beautiful sunny and cloudless day greeted the seven boats leaving Young’s Point Marina filled with members, guests, boat owners and owner wannabe’s.
Club President Rich Hughes led the pack with his 2008 Hughes 18’.
Current Club President Rich Hughes led the pack with his 2008 Hughes 18’. Rich built this boat based on the bones of a Greavette Sunflash and modified the design for a decidedly more modern look and feel. Murray Parnell, a club Tour Co-ordinator and his wife Vicky, brought out a 1956 16’ Shepherd Jr. Sporting an Evinrude o/b. The 16’ Jr. Was the smallest boat produced by Shepherd. We were lucky enough to have two of these boats on hand, as Gary Judges brought his 1957 Shepherd Jr. with Johnson power.
Murray Parnell, a club Tour Co-ordinator and his wife Vicky, brought out a 1956 16’ Shepherd Jr.
Gary Judges also brought his 1957 Shepherd Jr. with Johnson power.
Just out of the harbor we met up with Wally & Joyce Hicks and their 1955 homebuilt “Clipper”.
Wally & Joyce Hicks and their nice 1955 homebuilt “Clipper”.
A little further down the lake we came across the Dispro Owners Association. They were celebrating their clubs 35th anniversary with a Grand Fleet of thirty-five Dippys out for a day’s trek. Smiles, waves and salutes were passed all around. Let me tell you, you don’t come across thirty five Dippys every day and it was quite a sight.
Grand Fleet of thirty-five Dippys out for a day’s trek.
The Dispro Club (Disappearing Propeller Boat Club or Dippy’s as they like to be called) out celebrating their clubs 35th anniversary in style.
Upon arriving at the Burleigh Falls lift lock, we stopped for a picnic lunch and some socializing. Here we could get a better look at John Gullicks 1958 Nordson.
John Gullick’s cool 1958 Nordson outboard.
And the 1963 Peterborough “Handy Boy” of Peter Johnston. Two Greavettes also made the run. Sharon & Al Obals 1962 Greavette Sunflash I, with a V–drive and 100HP interceptor motor looked great alongside the 1972 Greavette Sunflash IV of yours truly. It was an interesting comparison to see models from the first design to the last iteration of the Sunflash line side by side.
1963 Peterborough “Handy Boy” of Peter Johnston.
Sharon & Al Obal’s classic 1962 Greavette Sunflash I.
When the run was done, we all packed up and toddled off to the Parnell’s estate for a pot luck dinner. What most of us did not know was it was also Murray Parnell’s Birthday. And so the TSACBA friends joined with family for a feast that left everyone stuffed to the gills, and Murray 39 years old… again.
Much thanks goes out to all the club members that organized the run, participated, brought friends and shared their Saturday with us. Also to the Parnell’s for their gracious hospitality and John Guillick for leveraging his celebrity status to help us at the ramp.
Cheers – Sean & Cindy Conroy.
Here’s a shot of Sean & Cindy’s recently completed 1972 Greavette Sunflash IV from a few weeks ago. Congratulations Sean, it looks great!
The Trent Severn Antique & Classic Boat Association is a great, active group of dedicated classic boaters, with some amazing boats and even more amazing people.
Thanks to Sean & Cindy for sharing this fun story with us today. This is what it’s all about folks…
Texx
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Aarrrg … You all missed the “Dippy Hunter” and its crew of fearsome pirates raiding the dippy fleet.
Right beside the ramp there was an 18′ Glen L cruiser.
I had the chance to talk to the owner…it was built between 1958 and 1963.
This boat is an absolute time capsule. It is extremely well kept (the galley looked like new) and was built with a great attention to detail. Every piece fits beautifully and there’s not an unfinished edge to be found. There are many one-off metal parts fabricated along with some beautiful mahogany trim work.
Apparently the builders daughter used to water ski behind her too. A vewry cool boat.
Excellent work on that 72 Sun Flash Sean. If Greavette had finished its 70s boats to the exacting standards that you employed it might well still be in business . I also expect that your new mercruiser is a big step up from what I expect was an anemic six banger,both in MPG and sheer motivation.