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.

The Boathouse published by the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lake Chapter ACBS

Texx
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