5,000 Classic Boat Stories To Date – It’s Like…
Back at Lake Dora a bazzilon years ago
I was looking in the back end of WoodyBoater this morning, making sure all her moving parts were up to date and working. And dang. Noticed that today we just made 5,000 stories published. This being 5,001. WTH? Thats a whole lotta miss spelled words. Bag grammar, and photoshop.
ZIPPERS
We started this crazy journey in October of 2007 and well, in a bazillion years did I think we would be here. We have been through a lot together and found many new friends, and sadly lost some. It used to be strange to have this sort of alternative universe we all live in together, but now its just pals checking in on each other from around the planet. To the tune of around 73,000 comments. Which I have read all of them. I have to see each one to make sure its not spam, or nasty to a person.
First image ever used on WoodyBoater
But regardless of the amount of stories and crazy history we have together, this brand, is about you. We here that keep this leaky ship afloat, depend on you and your stories, humor and comments. You are the bilge pump that keeps it all from sinking.
The yellow Shirts. The first set. I made 25 and we gave them away. This is 3 Smiths.
I also would like to stand and salute our wonderful sponsors who have supported us over the decade and a half ish. Your support is the power that runs the bilge that keeps pumping. Okay this metaphor is getting a tad strange. If the sponsors are the power, you you are the bilge pump, then what in the hell do I do? Putting chewing gum in the holes, driving like hell to shallow waters? And where does that put Troy? is he in charge of bung holes?
2011
What if Paul and Karen are driving, are we gonna break down? Wow, that metaphor just took a odder turn. And I cant seem to get out of it. Ugh.. It’s a metaphor rabbit hole. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The Boat Buzz gang at the Mariners Museum 2011
The Sons Of Varnish Finland Chapter
Have you been a Weiner over the years?
The Barn Find of the decade?
We have over 43,000 photos here. Thats a ton of server space.
Dang, I am getting older, fatter, and happier
The time we hacked into the voting. Still cracks me up!
Paul Harrison breaking down in Montana
We traveled to Wyoming to see why we didnt have any readers there. mmmmmmm?
We tried to reach Larry on the WEEJEE board. Can we restore your boat?
We have captured all of us at our best
Kept Valentines Day alive
And offended most everyone
Smoke’m if you got ‘m. Ya old Zip pissed off some lady!
Virtual Holiday Parties. Always a favorite tradition
Increased the sales of ACE 5 Gallon buckets.
Thanks for your help over the years. And looking forward to 5000 more stories. Wait? What?
Keep up the great work. Congrats on 5000 stories and may there be 5000 plus more.
Congratulations! Thanks for keeping us sane, with your insanity. Oh, and the smooth water and sunshine!
Matt, the Michigan gang congratulates you on this great achievement. We look forward to your next visit with Chris and Gar looking out at the river “Where it all Began”!
Thank you for the daily read, it keeps the passion alive. There have been some seasons that Panther does not get splashed (like having a car crash through the house/home business) but WoodyBoater was there every morning as a pick me up. See you touch us in unintended ways. Wait that sounds perverted. Please don’t actually touch us, unless it’s a handshake, wait we can’t do that anymore. Just wave to us.
Congratulations and thank you! Great way to start everyday!!
Congratulations, I for one always enjoy catching up on the latest woodyboater news, GO Zip, Hopefully we will be here for many more years.
We all must continue to do our part.
You keep putting chewing gum in the holes, and I will keep filling the bungs. (Translation: You keep writing and we will keep reading!)
Been following you for years. Avid boater since age 10. Rebuilt a molded plywood Nippising 14 footer in highschool. Thought you might like a slow TV four hour virtual Cruise down the Rideau Canal filmed up in Ontario Canada last September. Try googling Tripping down the Rideau on TVO. Might help to relax someone.
Congratulations on 5000, Matt! Thanks for keeping us entertained & informed.
Great brand Matt! Thank you – lots of work – however, until we know covid infectious rates among primates is it a good idea to promote them smoking?
Thanks Matt, mornings just would not be the same without Woodyboater! Keep up good the good work,
I don’t think 5000 really bonded us together…but 5200 will..
Thank you Matt. Your dedication to publishing these stories, maintaining the site and run a full time business puts the rest of us slugs to shame.
Look forward to the next 5000 stories.
Congratulations Matt!
Thank you, Matt, for your daily dose of woody entertainment. I rarely post a comment but read every day after lunch…..and then again in the evening when you lot over the other side of the pond have woken up enough to post comments. Always entertaining but particularly so in the locked down world we’re confined to at the moment. Congratulations on the milestone. Even if it might sometimes seem like a millstone.
Hats off to you
Your a national treasure.
Thanks for all you do for the hobby
Ours is a better hobby/lifestyle/irrational pursuit thanks to WoodyBoater. Thanks Matt!
I have no idea how you do this every day! Great pics for memory lane…I note that you dug up old ones in both of which I am kneeling….once, appropriately in front of Wilson Wright and the other at the Mariners with YOU! Great work dear friend, keep at it … renembr we kan’t due ths w/o you.
John in Va.
wow, reviewing a couple of the posted pics…such great time and great freinds among them:
Chris Smith, Woody Gal, Captn Crunch, Jim Evans, Don Ayers, ALL BENTON, Jim True, Jimmy Scott, WILSON WRIGHT, JIM STAIB, and MATT of course….really neat!
John in Va Going Boating today
Thanks for all the effort and enthusiasm Matt! You have been and invaluable resource and cheerleader for this hobby (sickness) – 😉 – we all share and have made it immeasurably better and more accessible. You and Texx really lit up the lake and I am amazed at you and your continued devotion to the effort. Thank you!
Always my favorite part of the day! Woodyboater and my coffee! Thanks Matt and company for all you do!
Congratulations Matt! 5000, makes me think of a Tachometer. If you were an old flathead you would be over revved, If you were an old outboard you would just be up in the powerband. You, like that new motor that your putting in WECATCHEM are fresh. 5000 is just at your optimal performance. I really enjoy your ( I don’t what to call it. ) more than a blog. It brightens my day every day. Especially the last few weeks. I feel like I know you and all the regular commenters. Keep It up.
Keep up the good work !
Congratulations. I want you to know that your posts do not satisfy just those that have boats. I haven’t owned a boat since 1959, when I abandoned my 14′ CC Kit boat, and left home after college, but I read, and enjoy, Woody Boater every day.
love the plaid shirt. They show well.
Keep up the good work. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Thanks for the daily boost and keep up the great work!!
Off topic. Now that Rinker is stopping production in June will they become collectable?
Matt Congratulations on 5000 and many moor(ings).
BTW I think that you should re name WECATCHEM to WERACEEM as your new engine will really make it a lot faster,
My boat , which is very similar to yours, is much faster with my 5.7L 350 GM engine.
BTW #2 ….. I have learned by trial and error that the elephant eared prop will preform better with a “C” cup put in it. See photos
Congrats Matt! Thanks for staying the course.
Looking forward to the next 5,000 stories.
Great work, Matt…Can’t imagine where Jon Rothert found the photos….but glad he did..
Its a fun ride and know one wants to stop woody boating, thanks for the many many stories.
4999 to go . 10,000 Thanks Matt and everyone else that contributes .
It’s always a “swell” to read WoodyBoater! It’s not the number of stories that are important it is the fact that you have truly found a way to glue this community together even the ones who might have a screw or two loose!
Thanks Matt!
Wow. Congrats Matt. I remember that night very well.
My coffee varnish wouldn’t be the same without you, Matt. You’re selfless. Thank you!
Incredible and something I look to start my day with. WB is the waterproof glue that holds our universe together! Congratulations!
Congrats Matt and keep the fun going!!!!
It’s my daily dose of non-PC in a world that’s gone mad and my eternal hope that characters like all of us will stay the course.
We are a strong hobby, full of multiple opinions, wonderful people and good will, with gentlemen like you that continue to bond us together.
Long may the WoodyBoater flag wave!!!!
Well done, Matt. Thank you!