Growing The Classic Boat Community – Introduction
I have never rewired anything. What could go wrong? – Photo Roy Furchgott
I know this is a website about boats! There, that is out of the way. There is a behind the scenes story on the Willys project. Research. Okay, research is a strong work. Maybe Me-search. See, I am the type of person that can read books very well. I need to see, and experience things to understand them. I also need distractions to focus. If this makes sense to you, you get it, if not, thats okay, we each learn differently.
Working on the wiring. I had to call in an expert. Clif Aimes to the rescue – Roy Furchgott photo
Recently I have lost the feeling of being new to the passion of classic boats. After 20 years of it every day, I certainly have put in my 10,000 hours. With that said though, I am in NO WAY an expert in this little universe. Thats the charm of it. Its endless. BUT! WoodyBoater was created to be an open door to the community, a welcome Matt – (Pun intended), a way for some one new to feel part of the best part of our community.
HQ in Feb 2021 , I had no idea what I was doing
3 years later
I always want to know that feeling of being new to something. That feeling of being lost and cautious. Learning new things that you are passionate about is what life is about. So? Enter the Willys Jeep 101, a class of being a newbie. How does it feel? Who makes you feel welcome? How does it all work? Is there support? How are they attracting more YOUNG PEOPLE? All exactly the same issues as our little community, same personality type, demographic, mind set. Same issues, and same time period of product. What can we learn form it to help the Classic Boat community grow?
The water buffalos – Barney Rubble Photo
This week, I will focus on some of the similarities and hopefully you will participate in the comment section and or an article yourself. I will try and break each day down to a singe topic so as not to bore you to death, and there is the need to milk stuff after all. HEY! Today we are just finding our lockers and chatting. Tomorrow, we start pontificating!
I’ll will bring a wrench – Roy Furchgott photo
I’m a plumber’s son…I have some bigger and badder wrenches if we need them! I can’t wait to see what the mind of Matt comes up with. Have a great day all…rainy and colder in Michigan today.
Can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with that pipe wrench!
That’s funny. My kithchen sink trap blew out last night. Pipe wrenches will be the tool d’jour.
Morning Matt, What I have discovered over the years, is that a key ingredient in any of this work, is having a minimum of one friend who knows a lot more about this stuff than I do. Hopefully more than one, so they can argue about the best way to attack the problem. Professional repair is way too expensive and you don’t get to be involved in the project. I love getting involved, and am happy to hold the dumb end of the tape measure.
Matt I hear ya and in the Corvette community that I have been involved in for over 4o years is going through the same metamorphosis and they are looking for the same demographics……young, with money…..and most of all the enthusisism for the ‘Art ‘ form
Matt I hear ya and in the Corvette community that I have been involved in for over 4o years is going through the same metamorphosis and they are looking for the same demographics……young, with money…..and most of all the enthusisism for the ‘Art ‘ form.
BTW….I DON’T CARE WHICH GUY U VOTE 4 JUST GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!!!
Great portrait, Ross.
To paraphrase “Crocodile Dundee”: That’s no pipe wrench – now this is a pipe wrench”!
That’s what I mean! Now that’s a nice wrench! We just need to get it a little dirty and scratched!
One wire at a time, have beverages handy, must hydrate
I read the quote recently that When you are learning something new, you feel dumber but you are actually getting smarter. I think you have to continue to venture into new areas to keep that passion of learning alive. My job is more mental so I enjoy my hobbies to be more hands on as well. I am new to the wooden boat world so it’s still a new, steep learning curve adventure for me. I enjoy being in the presence of those that have been in this for decades and just observe and listen to their knowledge, passion, lighthearted guy humor, eagerness to learn new things and willingness to offer advice to each other. That’s why I enjoy reading Woodyboater daily. It embodies all of these things. With a ’34 Ford pickup waiting for me to start on and complement my 1930 CC, I will enjoy following the progress of the Willy in Matt’s grand scheme. I think enthusiasm, comradery, and exposure of our vintage crafts to the public keeps the hobby alive. Every time I drive my Chris Craft around the lake, I am hoping it inspires someone to get one. We are also going to use it next fall for my son’s wedding/reception. Besides that, it’s our local ACBS chapter boat shows and rendezvous’ that keep these works of art in the public eye to promote the hobby. It was going to my first boat show in Les Cheneaux that hooked me.
It was my understanding that only the POPE could ponticify. So if there’s any ponticifing to be done around there don’t you think HE should be doing it. I mean he has been doing many pontifications since he was elected POPE. I think he would be the best pontificater…. HEY IT’SA
DA POPA
I here ya Matt. I get deep into new things for a while, then get into sustain mode and move on to something else. I have been thru cars, boats, model airplanes and and trains, building projects, electrical work, plumbing work, you name it. It’s the way I am wired. Although I still come here most days and still have my CC Continental, my current passion is sailing competitively. So much to learn and really hard to win against guys with a lifetime of experience. Can’t wait to see what comes along next! For now I am very happy to follow along with you and the jeep! You be you. We’ll either follow along or move on, but don’t force it to be about boats if your heart isn’t in it today. There is always tomorrow!
how DEEP are you going? Gen Z explores and goes deep………..
The male side of the Murdock clan has full blown ADD, so all manner of ICE based transportation frequently follows us home.
That way, we never get bored either.
This came home last week…….
Love it! And I do now attribute my actions to ADHD to some level. They didn’t diagnose it when I was younger, or pass out drugs to control it. We just had to figure out how to live with it and overcome!
Sweet ride! I still have an Opel GT from my sports car phase. Still love it.
Oh wow. My absolute fav… that ranked windshield is the best!!
I have always veiwed ADHD as a gift. The term / Label Disorder is a Dis service to the condition
Between my ADHD and OCD, I have trouble getting things done!
Dang, we are all so much alike!
Got home today for a few months.
As I’ve said for years: Boats, cars, planes, motorcycles-whatever- it’s all the same sickness… A particular enthusiasm comes and goes, only to be followed by another. It’s all linked. 😊
All men have some form of ADD/HD/OCD bred into our DNA.
We can multi-task with the best of them and at different levels of engagement too.
Some of the most successful business people I know are in overdrive and that’s what it takes to stay in front of worldwide competition, ten days a week, thirty-six hours a day.
When it comes to diversions, I keep a running legal pad with as much detail as possible (which storage location, where the titles are, insurance papers, best mechanic for the brand, etc, etc) because I’ve called first to die.
That way, Patti will have it all laid out for the big auction!