Even the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go astray ! While watching the weather this past week, we felt fairly confident we would have  good boating day today. Altho the morning was a bit cool considering the previous two days of 75 – 80*, the morning temps of 65 – 68* were tolerable ! As we pulled into the Iron Horse Restaurant I thought I would be one of the first to get there, “nope” ! We first saw John Hagerman’s GMC with his SeaNymph in tow, Paul Wood was also in line with the Feather Craft Penguin, Scott Wimbush was also in line followed by Our treasurer Bob Joynt. My Arkansas Traveler made up the third of the water flotilla. It seemed like they were all waiting to get into the launch area ? 

       So we drove around all of them to the gate which I noticed was unlocked and had a wheel on the bottom so you could roll it open ! Once the gate was pushed aside the parade of gate crashers was in and ready to launch !  Getting to the area we were told we could park in, was enough of a challenge in itself as the road was littered withe various mobile equipment ranging from homemade trikes, ATV’s, motorcycles, various trailers empty and full of Kayaks and dirt clumps as big as your head ! 

      Finally arriving at the waters edge we had to move 1/2 dozen kayaks in front of the dirt / mud launch ramp ! Paul and I dragged them out of the way so we had a semi clear a path to back the trailers down. We got the boats ready to go while the rest of the gang were checking out parts and pieces to trade and swap ! Scott Wimbush had picked up Al Gammon to come along as Al had a special project to show everyone, more on that later. Several more of our attendees arrived, Bob Peters and Tommy Kenepp rolled in followed by Bill Jatzak, Bill Mohat & Lilly and Bob Davidson, with Marty Belfi behind him.  Mark & Jackie Smith arrived along with Ryan & Kelly Hollingsworth.  A nice surprise was greeting Tony Torgerson as in had just got back from his winter refuge in Fla.

       Paul was the first to get the boat wet and had his 12 SeaKing running in short order, followed by John H. I was third in line with my recently (I Thought) ready to run Martin 75 / twist grip throttle. I had briefly started it in the garage just to make sure it would run ! It didn’t disappoint me completely as it started on the third pull, but being a non shifting (No neutral) engine I was moving while facing the transom and immediately hit a log and sheared the pin ! Thinking to myself, Ahhh this is a good test for the swing around feature to make it easier to change the shear pin !  But the gas tank was full and upon lifting the engine,  gas was pouring out of the fill ! Guess those 60+ year old stoppers dry out and leak ! Pin changed I got it running only to see more gas started dripping from the carburetor and it wasn’t responding to adjustments ! Finely frustrated I rowed back to change to by back up, the Elgin 12 !  Tommy K. to the rescue pulling the Martin and dropping the Elgin on the transom. Thank you Tommy ! You saved me again !

       Once the Elgin was running I was off to catch up with John and Paul ! They had headed down river to enjoy some of the scenery, we went a couple miles then finally turned around and headed back !  I had to open the Elgin up at least once to see what it would do. 20 mph on the old Ark not too bad !         Back at the launch area I saw Mark Menary and chatted a bit. Al Gammon said he had a question and wanted to pick my depleted brain. Al had brought an exhaust manifold from his Chrysler racing engine and wanted to know if Cometic could make some gaskets from the casting ? I told him I was pretty sure they could,  but it would be best if he could sand blast it first.   

 
       I then saw that Dave Nau had pulled in chauffeured by none other than his loving wife Connie, Dave isn’t allowed to drive till after Halloween due to his heart problem! Connie you are a Saint !       So all told we had 21 members and wives attend !  Oops I almost forgot Dave Weidner who arrived as the rain started and everyone was packing up to leave, Sorry Dave hopefully next time we’ll get you out for a boat ride ! 

      Thanks to all that braved the ever changing Ohio weather and attended the meet today ! Till next time remember, Keep the Blue Smoke Flowing !

Gary

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