Webster MA Wet Meet, Sunday May 4th 2008

Rain, Rain, Went Away!

By P. Putt

Joe M. hosted another fantastic meet on Lake Chaubunagungamaug in Webster Massachusetts. Due to scheduling issues with the town this year the meet was held on a Sunday and about a week earlier in May than is typical. The new date, high fuel prices and doom & gloom weather reports did keep a lot of people home, the turn-out was down from previous years. However the drizzle stopped by 10:15AM and it was warm enough for several people to wear shorts – by 3:00 the sun was out and it was beautiful!

Lots of older 1920’s motors and plenty of fifties classics were present. The oldest motor I spied was Brook N’s 1920 Evinrude Commercial 3½hp Row Boat Motor, followed by Dan T’s Evinrude Model N. There was a nice Caille Liberty drive in the parking lot but I don’t think it made it out on the water. Several Model A Johnsons from various different years, a Ruddertwin and other Eltos were out & about.

Of the classic era the 1958 Evinrudes were out in force, at least 7 of them ranging from 5½, 7½, 10, 18 and 35hp were seen running or waiting to run. Walt L. and Frank P. had the Mercury brand well represented with Mark 15, Mark 20, Merc 200 and his super secret Wizard Super 10 project motor! An unusual 1950’s outboard worthy of note was Rick P’s Atco Boatimpeller, and English made air-cooled Liberty Drive outboard. The Atco saw lots of lake-time after the weather dried out enough for its Villiers Magneto to function. Also fun & unusual was Ray S’s display of the awe inspiring power & sound of twin Neptune Mighty Mites.

Smaller motors were very popular this year probably due to the ease of portability, (many of us are not getting any younger), and their smaller fuel requirements. I know Ken B. put at least 20 miles on his 1956 Johnson 5 ½ and commented at the end of the day he came back with more fuel than when he left!

Joe served up his excellent namesake lunch! Thanks to Glenn W for providing the canopy – though it had pretty much dried out by lunchtime. Everybody had a great time, this is always one of the Yankee Chapter’s best meets!

Lake Webster Fun Fact:

In checking the spelling of the name of the lake, I ran across the following interesting tidbit in Wikipedia and thought I would share it: “Lake Webster, is a lake in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, United States. It is located near the Connecticut border and has a surface area of 1,442 acres (5.83 km²). Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, a 45-letter alternative name for this body of water, is often cited as the longest place name in the United States and one of the longest in the world. Today, "Webster Lake" may be the name most used, but some (including many residents of Webster), take pride in reeling off the longer versions.”

The photos below tell the story of what people brought to the meet. Thanks to Norm W., Matt M., and Hurricane Harry for the photos.

Bob P. fueling up - don't spill any of that liquid gold!	Super nice Caille Liberty Drive
Norm D. & Bob Z. inspecting the 1958 Johnson 7½ hp
Wonder if Norm took it home?	Beautiful 1958 Evinrude Fisherman 5½ hp
Dan T's Evinrude Model N	Dan's Johnson A-35 and Waterwich
Nice little JW-11 3hp and 1961 5½ hp	The '61 5½ was offered for sale and found a new home this day
Ken B's super clean original 1956 Johnson 5½ - see it in action later!
Motors to be run	Cute little Elto. Note bronze lower unit for salt water
1926 Evinrude Model N, 1929 Johnson A-45 and 1926 Elto Model G Ruddertwin. The Ruddertwin ran well until the 6v battery died, the Model N refused to run but the A-45 ran like a champ - love those dependable Johnson outboards!
Some of the motors waiting to run	Walt L's Merc 200 and "super" Wizard 10 with special modifications!
Rick P's 1951-52 Atco Boat Impeller Model 804, British made Liberty drive motor. She was reluctant to start with the damp weather	Caille SIG Leader Jack C. checks out Rick's Atco
The Atco is a hefty 3/4hp and Air Cooled. Retail price was $125 when new	Garry M. caught in the act making off with someone's starter rope!
Boats on the beach	Ray S's twin Mighty Mite power!
Nice 1960 Evinrude Fisherman	Tony C's 12 foot Telcraft - now Mercury powered
Dave B surveys the boats on the beach	Doug P. zips up his life-jacket to ready himself for the power of the 3/4hp Waterwich
Gary M. and Jack C. keep an eye on Doug & the Waterwich	Danny O. with a minimalist approach - Sportyak and 3/4hp Elgin
Wizard getting ready to go!	Dan T's Evinrude Model N ran great!
Brook N. ran his Evinrude Commercial RBM for a long time!	Ken H's fine Feathercraft & Johnson Javelin
Frank P. running his Mark 15	Walt L. & Frank P. running the Mark 15
Ken B. loves his 1956 Johnson 5 ½
2005	2008
Boy, for Hurricane Harry three years can really make a difference - from 2hp to 10hp!

 

Yankee Chapter: Making Waves With Old Outboards