Member Spotlight, Donor Aug 03)

It was in Winona, MN, my hometown, just 60 miles south of Red Wing. It was 1957 and I was in high school. A number of my friends and I, on occasion, drove over to the Wisconsin side of the river and north a few miles to Merrick State Park, a rustic setting along a backwater just off the main channel. Russ and May had operated the boat livery for years and were not adverse to selling us lads a beer or two on a summer evening. My friend Ron learned that Russ was going to sell a few of the older wooden rowboats and wanted to know if I wanted to go in on one with him. My half interest would be $10. As we were showing the boat to a few buddies, I leaned against the side of the hull and a good sized piece broke away. Not a happy start to my first wood boat experience, but I had learned what dry rot was!

Finished with college, I made the move to Minneapolis in 1963. There was to be a succession of fiberglass boats; the first a nice blue and white Glaspar, and then a black and gold Horizon. For a few years two other friends and I had a 34’ Whitcraft houseboat moored in the Lake City Marina. We were single, had steady incomes and had our houseboat on Lake Pepin. Times were good!

In 1969 Chris and I married and were busy raising Brian and Jason and getting on with our careers. We had boats of one type or another but things were about to change! It was a summer day in 1980 and I was with a client who wanted me to survey an old warehouse in St. Paul. As we were about to leave the building I spotted a dusty old hulk of a boat in a dimly lit corner. I inquired as to what the boat was all about and learned that it was a 1954 Chris Craft, some sort of old one that belonged to the boss. At some point, the kids had ruined the engine and the boat was hauled to the warehouse from White Bear Lake. My interest in the boat was noticed and an offer to sell was made. I took the bait and was now the owner of what I would like to remember as my second wood hull boat -- but definitely a step up from the first. All I knew at this point was that it was a Chris Craft but placed no value in that particular fact.

I had little idea where to begin to get this boat ready for the water, but thought the first thing to do would be to get the engine repaired. Since the block was cracked, I was told to find a gasket set before it could be repaired. Minnetonka Boat Works had what I needed but asked if I had any interest in purchasing a short block which had been stored in the boiler room for years. I thought this over, decided to spend the $700 and, after a great deal of sweat and effort, I removed the old engine and prepared the new one for installation back into the hull.

With the new engine in place, I made my way over to Watergate Marina. This was to be the big day, my inaugural cruise! With the help of a “mechanic”, we tried to get the engine fired up but to no avail. All the engine would do is backfire up through the carburetor. No one had any idea of what to do but it was suggested I get in touch with the Chris Craft factory for some assistance. I talked to an elderly gentleman in Algonac and he said it sounded like I had an opposite rotation engine. By golly, it turned out that I did! The Boat Works agreed to help me out by pulling the engine and making the necessary conversions so that I would have an engine which would run. I got a call that the boat was ready to go and headed out to Lake Minnetonka for my maiden voyage! I was nervous but slowly ventured out into Wayzata Bay and then on to Big Island. I was actually on the water in my 1954 20’ Chris Craft utility for the first time, convinced there were no others on the lake anything like it.

OK, the boat runs, but now what? Even though the varnish looked fair, it might be a good idea to have someone touch things up. I had gotten to know Hugo and Janet Gross at Hugo’s Boat Works in Onamia and new they also restored wooden boats. I eagerly accepted their quote to strip, stain, and varnish the boat and made periodic stops to see how the project was coming. I got a call from Janet and she said it was time to stain the boat and asked what color I wanted to use. I said whatever they typically use; something that would look nice. Janet said they were partial to the maple stain sold at the Ace Hardware store up in Garrison so I gave her the go ahead. I and asked how many coats of varnish they usually put on. She said two and I said fine.

Little did I know that there were others around who also had an interest in wood boats and who could have given me some direction through all of this. It mattered little really as we were having a great time using the boat at our lake cabin as well as out on Lake Mille Lacs. As I look back I am kind of happy things started out this way. I made mistakes along the way but learned from them.

I eventually heard of the ACBS Land-O-Lakes Chapter and was now aware that there were those who had a good grasp of what wood boats were all about. I went to a few meetings when they were held at the Surfside in Mound and was at last getting to know people who were enthusiastic and knowledgeable regarding wood boats. I entered a show or two in Excelsior but then drifted away from the group for a few years. My interest was renewed when I decided to buy a 23’ Continental from Todd Warner. Chris and I were impressed with the fine selection of boats Todd had in his storage building and the enthusiasm he displayed that day as he showed us a unique variety of boats.

As my understanding of wood boats started to broaden, I became more comfortable and it was apparent to me that this was a hobby I would like to pursue and become more involved in. Chris enjoyed this kind of boating as did the boys which meant that it could be a family affair. While I was the one spending the time in the shop we knew that all of us could enjoy the rewards of my efforts. I heard about an old Chris in a small central Illinois town and a Century up in Onamia that Hugo had. I decided to purchase both of them for $300 each, including trailers. At the time I probably thought I was going to restore them on my own.

As I continued to become more involved I also became wiser. I realized that I did not have sufficient knowledge, ability, time, tools, nor workspace to dedicate to a full scale restoration spanning several years. There were things I could do reasonably well but knew where to draw the line. I decided that it was time to part with my project boats. The 19’ 1938 Chris Craft Sportsman went to Sherwood Heggen who won the Best Professional Restoration award at the 2000 Rendezvous. The 1950 18’ Sea Maid went to Jerry Klopp. The Klopp family was honored with the Angie Speltz and Judges Choice awards in 2002. I have a good deal of satisfaction knowing that I did the right thing in rescuing these boats and getting them into the hands of those who had the ability to restore them for others to enjoy.

Retiring in the fall of 1997 I felt I needed a project to occupy some of my time during the upcoming first winter. I located an 18’ 1954 Lyman Islander in St. Paul and lined up some heated space in which to work. I began on December 9th, 1997 and finished the project just in time for the 1998 Rendezvous. This was my first attempt at restoration and I was happy with the results.

Sidewinder is in the show again this year.

Over the past few years I have been involved with rendezvous committees as well as being asked to serve on the BSLOL board of directors. I would have to say that there is not a day that goes by that I am not somehow involved in something having to do with boats. Along the way I have met some folks who I have learned from and others to whom I have been able to pass on a tip or two. I should mention that boats include vessels of wood, fiberglass, aluminum, concrete, steel, and other materials. All should be included and put under the umbrella of what constitutes something worth saving for others to enjoy into the future.

Someone like Lee Wangstad will set you straight real fast if you don’t think fiberglass or aluminum boats are worth the effort!
I no longer feel compelled to get my hands on any boat that comes along. I will however, continue to look for them and hopefully get them into the hands of someone who is looking for a project to get their hobby off the ground or someone else who is ready for something a bit more advanced. Whatever the chain of custody happens to be, the bottom line is that the life of a unique piece of history might just be preserved because one of us took the time to take the chance that something good will come of our efforts to save a boat. As Sherwood Heggen always reminds...”Don’t destroy it, restore it!”

At the onset I described the trials, tribulations and frustrations I went through to get my hobby off the ground. I had nothing more than very casual direction until I got caught up with those in the Land-O-Lakes Chapter, now the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. I have met great people as a result, and feel that I have an interest that will continue to provide me with many more years of enjoyment.

Jason will be at the rendezvous this year along with his friend Sarah. Brian and his wife Erica might be paying a visit from Pennsylvania with five year old Ryan and baby Reese in tow. To me, this is what it is all about; having fun doing something which is substantial, enjoyable, stimulating and rewarding, and doing it around water with friends and family. Chris is going to be happy.