Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter’s Third And Last Winter Workshop Of The Year

Tom Juul, of Juul Restorations in Evansvillle, MN speaking at the BSLOL Winter Workshop – Note the variety of colors on the oil pan by clicking on the photo.
Today, with the help of historian Lee Wangstad and photographer Mark Proudfoot, we are reporting Live-ish from the popular Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter’s Winter Workshop in Alexandrea, Minnesota. Surrounded by some of the best classic boating history in the country, the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum in Alexandrea, MN is a perfect venue for a winter workshop. Here’s their report.
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Bob Speltz Land-O-Lake Chapter’s Winter Workshop #3
by Lee Wangstad & Mark Proudfoot
Just two days after having another 8″ of fresh snow dumped on us, I was more than ready for the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter’s third and last winter workshop of the year. These events are a winter tradition with the chapter going back as long as I can remember. Wait, even longer than that. My teachers at school keep telling me that I can’t remember my way past yesterday. What do they know?
This event was held at the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum, quite possibly the best public small boat museum here in the Midwest. Texx has been there, I’m sure he will back me up on this. Even though this workshop was located a good two hour drive from the Twin Cities, over 50 members made the trek to this unique setting in the great resort/lakes area in Alexandria, Minnesota. It was nice to see young people and families make it to the workshop.
Tom Juul, of Juul Restorations was the presenter, along with his assistant, Darrin Erlandsen. Tom’s first subject covered Chris-Craft Blue. Presenting 10 or 11 different cans, each labeled “Chris-Craft Blue,” he had painted a sample of each on a tired but still true oil pan. The difference was astounding. Even the ones direct from Chris-Craft didn’t match. Very interesting, but also very disturbing for someone going for 100 points. You’re at the judges mercy on this one, good luck!
Tom brought in a 1957 Capri in the early stages of restoration. He admitted to owning this one himself, and the restoration was stretching out way too long. But he had the bottom on and went through the different bottoms that are available. He also had a list of “Top 10” items that you could do to get just one more year out of your current bottom, none of them good.
He told of the boat that came into his shop with the chine repaired with galvanized sheet metal and roofing cement. He quickly discounted this approach, and gave us nine more ways to make a real restoration more difficult with band-aid applications.
Tom’s “Top 10” list on the white board in the above photo notes:
How to get one more season out of “Old Leaky?”
1. Galvanized flashing, tacs and sheet rock screws.
2. Just plywood it.
3. Just epoxy it – inside, outside, or both.
4. Just refasten it.
5. Sprinkle sawdust on the water.
6. Cell foam buoys.
7. Give it a Tahoe bottom.
8. Buy 3 bilge pumps, inflatable raft + flares.
9. Buy a good boat lift & time your boat rides.
10. Paint “HELP” under a seat base.
The day got more interesting as more subjects came and went, with question and answer periods between each. Next came the best professional subject of all: how to easily turn a boat over.
After seeing a few videos of how not to do it, Tom and Darrin did the job splendidly without the audience and a couple of cases of beer, the usual tried and true method of doing this for the amateur.
Using a couple of chain hoists, with hooks bolted into the stem and transom, the boat was very easily lifted and flipped by the two of them, and without a hitch.
After a great lunch served by the museum, Tom and Darrin responded to more restoration mysteries, wood questions, and great advice in general, the chapter members went out into the museum to discover for themselves just what was in order for the upcoming season.
The museum is also hosting a show this July 13, featuring the Larson Falls Flyer boats. There are many new Falls Flyer owners after Paul Mikkelson’s auction, let’s hope that they can make the date.
Lee Wangstad & Mark Proudfoot
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Thanks for the report guys, looks like it was a fun event at the museum. Thanks to everyone from the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes ACBS Chapter for organizing another successful winter workshop and to the always friendly folks at the amazing Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum for hosting the event. Also thanks to master restorer Tom Juul for sharing his expertise and wealth of wooden boat restoration knowledge.
We are looking forward to the upcoming Classic Boat & Car Show on Lake Darling, MN in July, which we are planning to cover here at Woody Boater. Here’s some details.
Minnesota Lakes Classic Boat & Car Show
Saturday July 13th, 2013
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center – Alexandria MN
The 26th annual Minnesota Lakes Classic Boat & Car Show will be held at the Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center on Lake Darling. Classic watercraft from manufacturers such as Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, Alexandria Boat Works and others, will be shown on land and in the water. Larson Boat Works will be featured this year and Paul Mikkelson from Willmar, Minnesota, will be the event’s honorary chairperson. Several 15-minute seminars will discuss the classic boat and automobiles hobby.
For more information on this event and the museum, you can Click Here to go to the impressive Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum website.
Lee Wangstad is also the Editor of “The Boathouse” which is published quarterley (January, April, July and October) by the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter ACBS. It’s a great publication and is always packed full of interesting and informative articles for members of the BSLOL Chapter.
Texx
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So which blue was the closest for a post war 6 cylinder?
Can we get a photo of the results?
That’s my question too!
Ask 100 judges across the country to pick the correct blue. Average the answers and then drop numbers 1-8 into a hat, and pull one number while blindfolded…
I kinda like the stripes. Use all the colors and you’re sure to get partial credit.
Good question. Here is a pic of mine with “CC Blue engine paint”. Note: two point deduction!
And here it is with Dave VanNess “post war blue”. Can you notice any difference?
The first one is a tad lighter and looks like the postwar V8 blue you would expect to see on a 283. The DVN blue is a touch darker. I can’t say what is correct, but the fragments of original paint in my V8 boat are a touch lighter than what passes for the V8 blue in the first photo. I would think it is quite possible that CC’s paint changed a bit from batch to batch or perhaps with changes in suppliers. Even with modern machines, it is had to get perfect consistency in paint color.
3 bilge pumps work great. you just need 3 batteries
After the scare in Mt Dora, a third bilge pump installation is on my to do list, I already got two 500g.p.m. pumps with floats, and bought an 800 g.p.m. backup pump that needs to be wired up. Hey, Matt, got some time this weekend???
For anyone who now feels motivated I found these project boats in Greenport,NY yesterday. According to the yard manager the CC Sea Skiff has been abandoned in the yard, the cruiser is a Scopovich(sp?) made one the south shore of LI and the owner is having financial problems (cruisers will do that to you). The Fire Boat the the “Fire Fighter” circa 1938 and was used during 911 and the Miracle on the Hudson.
Rick,
How long is the Skiff? Any more photos? What do they want for it or does it have to be auctioned off?
Jim I don’t have any others but the boat has been out there for many years. some of the repairs that have been done on her used Sheetrock screws and regular nails. Looks like she was used as a work boat at the end. I would say she’s at least 25′ long. If you’re interested I can get more info and pictures for you. I’m thinking the yard manager almost just wants her out.
Rick,
THANKS!!
1000 miles on toll roads and sheet rock screws are enough to kill my interest. I’ve been looking for a 26′ Sea-Skiff and that caught my eye.
Cruiser
Vertical bow, very cool.
Fire Fighter
Thanks Lee & Mark for the great synopsis.
I have flown over the land of lakes many times, on the way from Toronto to Vancouver. Someday hope to arrange a stopove visit to check out the Maritime Museum and perhaps take in a Twins game at Target field. Baseball and Boats.. Perfect combo.
BTW the underlying illustration on the cover of the Boathouse Magazine is just stone cold COOL… love those pre 50s outboards!
Rick, do the water cannons work on the fire boat? Matt could buy it as the WoodyBoater parade boat and we could lead all the boat show parades with it. That would get him some PR!
Fully functional. They plan on shooting some next weekend.
I am a big practitioner of methods 8 and 9! I get more water in over the bow and sides than through the bottom, so pumps are a must, and with a small fuel tank you better keep track of the time!