Woody Boater And The Brass Bell Make Magic!
The latest issue of the Brass Bell just arrived in the old Woody boater HQ mail box and we could not be more thrilled. This is a very special issue for many reasons. One is that it’s the first issue out since the sad passing of Bill Baldwin, and for us here at Woody Boater is that we were asked to provide this issues big story on Fin & Tonic, the insane massive award winning 1961 Continetal owned by Derk Brill & Pat Boomer and restored by Don Hardy McCall Boat Works.
One of the largest stories in Brass Bell history.
We won’t do much talking about Fin & Tonic here today, it’s all in the latest issue of the Chris Craft Antique Boat Clubs Brass Bell. We have been huge fans of the Brass bell since its new design by Fellow Woody Boater Bill Basler and now with Catalyst Communications.
Texx and his magic lenses captured a perfect moment
There is something special about writing a story for a magazine, first, ya gotta spell everything right, and certainly get all the facts right. So Texx was the guy for that job. He also took some amazing photos that are in the Bell, and will make some stunning headers for a while.
Magic magic magic.
The photo shoot took place on Lake Tahoe with Texx and Don Ayers shooting away in the perfect light. To add some drama, Evangeline was also on the set and those photos were used during the Gull Lake International show.
Brian Robinson Evangeline doing her thing! – Phot Don Hardy
Don Ayers standing, Texx kneeling and shooting. Photo Brian Robinson
Texx can kneel all day long if he shoots stuff like this! WOW- Fin & Tonic boasts an all original interior. By the way, its real, and spectacular!
If you are not a member of the Chris Craft Antique Boat Club, you are missing out on a fantastic online community and Magazine. This club really goes all out to support your passion for Chris Crafts. You can join and find out more just with one click. HERE.
I always love a nice ’61 utility. I hope this is one of the issues the Post Office decides to deliver to me.
GREAT STORY!
I will be anxiously awaiting my copy in the mail box. Actually I don’t expect to receive it before I leave for DORA!
Matt & Reg, Thanks for your amazing story that is featured in the latest issue of The Brass Bell. The story of Fin & Tonic is truly brilliant in both words and images. I believe that your contribution sets a new level of excellence for the quarterly publication, The Brass Bell.
Very Well Done !!! Join now and the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club will send you a copy! Plus 4 more Issues.
This boat has a great story, from rags to rich’s. Matt you called it the day I sent you the ” Barn find pictures”. This Chris Craft surpassed all that was expected, for the owners and us here at McCall Boat Works. We are now doing two more Hardtops.
Thanks for sharing, and if you have not joined ACBS. Now is the time.
Can’t wait. Hope this is the start of a long time collaboration between these two Giants of Woodyboaterdom.
Wow. What a story! Quite a thrill for Pat and me, and McCall Boat Works. Sincere thanks to Texx and Matt, and to Don Ayres as well. Woody Boater was the place I first saw a photo of what would become Fin & Tonic (the one of her transom in the lower right in the pictured spread). I was just an enthusiast at that point, and had never owned a classic wooden boat. That’s what started the ball rolling for me, thanks to you (Pat would express the sentiment differently). It’s been a long journey from there to Tahoe, and then Gull Lakes, but you guys and Woody Boater supported us the entire way, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. As Hardy said, it was a rags to riches story.
What a beauty!! Congrats on the restoration, Don. Although I missed her at Tahoe, I did have the good fortune of seeing her in MN. Texx and Don Ayers – the photos you captured are breathtaking!! Hope to see Derk and Pat this summer at a show or two.
On a road trip to the (sunny?) south and just checked in to WB. Can’t wait to get back (ok a little wait) to Harsens Island and the varnish can waiting for me. Well done and congrats to Texx and the Chris Craft crew.
That is just such a beautiful boat. Derk & Pat, hope that we can get together sometime when mine is finished. I will definitely be at Tahoe.
I was going to hold off on joining the club until it was finished, but now with the one of it’s sisters in there I suppose that is a sign that I should join now.
Rick, I can’t wait to see yours. There is no time like the present, so don’t hold off. Join up! You’re in So Cal, right? Drop me a line at derkbrill@aol.com.
Hey Derk,
Yes, I’m in So Cal for a little while longer.
I did join up. Took the five year option. Can’t wait to read that write up on your boat. Currently I’m in Reno on business. I’ll drop you a line once I get back home.