Bernie

I have some OFC"ers coming up this weekend for a fishing trip. Seems I can't message multiple people anymore so I thought I would post it here. The forecast is looking great with cloudy periods and highs in the mid twentys. I haven't fished at all this summer due to some ongoing renos around the place. May try tonite if time allows to see if I can still pull some out. See you guys soon.

Very good TJ! Wish my wife would celebrate anniversary's like that.

What is the 8th digit in your VIN? 3 different engines are possible in that car. Also verify the code # for me. Doesn't look right.

Well done Joey! Treasured memories for sure.

On Sunday my son and a young fellow who works with me entered their cars in a demolition derby at our local fall fair. It is a definite crowd pleasing event with probably a thousand or more people attending. Nick (my son) and Ash probably spend 40 hours each preparing their cars for a spectacle that destroys the buggy's in 10 minutes or less. They do it for fun as the prize money isn't near enough to cover the gas money alone. Ash was the first one in the ring for his entry in the 4 cylinder class. He got flagged out because an oil line took fire. Turned out it was residue oil from a line no longer needed. Nick's first heat he took a hit right away and it broke a tie rod end. But after a quick repair he re-entered the consolation event and won it. Great day and a lot of fun. After the race a gang showed up at the cottage for a time to celebrate. Hence the "Night at the Opera" Nick and his GF, Miranda Ash and his GF, Christine. Glad to have a tent to keep the sun off. A view of the track before a run.

Believe it or not Big Chev- the Chev spare tire setup is worse.

Joe, I borrowed a couple extra sanders and a handful of scrapers for next weekend. You may need to take the Monday off so we have time to fish.

Sad part is I probably read most of them. JK there Dawg. I read them cause they are usually fun to read.

AWESOME! Gotta try that deep sea stuff one time in my life. Had to wait until I got to work to take this one in Carole. Dial up doesn't do that report well.

Brian I am not sure who made that one. Several company's made cedar boats way back when and also lots of them were homemade. Looks to be in not too bad of shape although looks can be deceiving. A new one would be less than that $3500( minus the trailer).

Brian, the boats had a name plate on the dash board of the deck. The really old ones had a cast nameplate that I would love to find. I was hoping this one had one but unfortunately did not. Jocko, the boats are somewhat similar to the Peterboroughs in the fact they are both cedar strips. The Peterborough had rounded ribs and was a little more finely finished. But this also raised the price of them at the time and I believe with the arrival of aluminum boats it put them out of business. Our boats are more oriented towards camp use and are also built stronger because of that. They still remain very popular for use by the tourists at the camps. They are easier to handle in wind and waves and the wooden seats don't tend to get flaming hot in direct sun as aluminum can sometimes get.

Atta boy Gerritt. Great thoughtfulness.

Brian the boat was made by B Giesler & Sons in Powassan. Been building them since the 1920's and are still being built today. Jocko, thank you for the offer but I think there may be one kicking around at our shop. Just need to find one that runs.

Ha... Good way to make him feel better Glen. Hope you recover quickly Mike.

Thanks for the comments guys. Chris, the glass will stay, really tough to take it off if it was properly applied. Many of the boats back in that time had painted bottoms anyway so it isn't too much out of era. Besides that the soaking up period in the spring is a pain in the Billy, some of the old engines were bad polluters but not all were poorly engineered in that manner. A big part of the pollution and oil slicks was the type and amount of oil added at that time. Modern quality 2 stroke oils have much better lubrication properties and are designed to burn away with the combustion process. The little engine I put on it is being run on 50/1 mix. No smoke or oil slicks were evident as it was being run but still has a slight familiar 2 stroke smell. I have run older models for several summers in the past at 50/1 without any lubrication failures. The larger engines that OMC produced (33hp and up) through the 1950's and 60's were notorious gas hogs and lots of hydrocarbons went out the exhaust unburned. Not sure of the Mercurys back then as there were not a lot of them around here at that time. I may even start into sanding it down this fall if we ever get nice weather again.

I have been looking for an old cedar boat made by my family for a while. Opportunity knocked and a very old one came my way. It's a 16ft Powassan special. Really, that's what it's called . I talked to my uncle Pete yesterday who has a very good memory about most everything. I described the boat to him and he figures the boat is minimum 55 years old. The reason he knows this is that they stopped installing wood deck bands in 1955. The boat is in restorative condition and won't take a whole lot of repair, just lots of elbow grease. Next summer project. The bottom has been fiberglass coated at some time in it's life and doesn't allow a leak. The water in the boat is from sitting outside for a few weeks. I dug out a 5HP Viking I fixed up several years ago but never used it. It pushes it along but won't plane, so a larger HP will get put on next week. I would like to find a 1958 Johnson 10 or 15HP. I think it would suit the boat best. There may be one kicking around somewhere. Be a good one to troll out of and putt around with. The plastic seats will have to disappear.

Very sorry to hear the loss of your mother. My condolences to you and your family Wayne.

Seized gears in the lower unit? Only running on one cylinder?

Please! No more legislation! Enough out there now. Time for people to be responsible for themselves instead of passing the buck to somebody else too. I like your way of thinking TJ.

How much gas is in it? Is it 4WD? Keep in mind it is 9 years old.

That last picture makes you look short there Grandpa.

That was quite a trip Cliff. Glad to see you back safe and sound. Hope you get a chance to go out on that fishing experience in September.

That is very good advise Mike. Not all campgrounds are created equal.

+1 on Wades Landing. Easier to get to if you are coming from the south too. Only a mile away from Hunters Bay.

I hear you Wayne. I shortened my Shimano rod a couple inches in a ceiling fan while installing new line on the reel. Never did get to try it full length as it was brand new. Shimano replaced a broken V-rod for me without hassle a few years back. Several Shimano reels I have have been virtually flawless. I suppose it's possible things may have changed somewhat along with the poor economy.