Webster 2006

by Correspondent Wesley Bend

Joe M hosted another fabulous meet at Memorial Park on Lake Chaubunagungamaug. The day started with blue skies and was the first time this year that many of us would wear shorts! I'm not sure as to the final count but probably 60 members showed up, almost everybody had a boat. This venue sports a beautiful launch ramp where 6 to 10 boats can be launched at once!

At most Yankee Chapter wet meets you have at least 1/2 the people running old iron, but this meet is different. There is something about the lake with its miles of shore line, the cottages, little islands and coves that somehow brings out the 1950's in almost everyone. Speeding along with the smooth quiet power of a 50's outboard motor of 10hp or more just feels right here. This year about 10 vintage Feathercrafts showed up and ran all over the lake. Rusty M brought his little Chris Craft kit boat he built new in the 50's along with his cool West Bend Shark. (see below)

That's not to say we didn't have some vintage stuff run too. Brook N had his ever trusty Evinrude RBM. Bill A. was keeping up with the Feathercrafts in his Old Town with a 1929 Johnson S-45. (What a great sight and sound that "S" made!) Frank P brought about 10 motors and ran most all of them! Tom M. stunned all of us by bringing a practically NEW motor, his Scott 22. Young Hurricane Harry S. ran his 1968 McCulloch made Ted Williams and later a 1962 Evinrude Fisherman. Jim M had an interesting display of two Clinton's that were near mint. Dan T also brought his trailer and a nice display of motors including a Johnson A, Lauson S-350 and Martin 40. The day was so perfect everyone wanted to be on the water!

At lunch our host served his popular Sloppy Joe sandwich and sides, always a treat! Joe puts in a lot of work to arrange this meet for us - his efforts are truly appreciated by all!

Some photos by the author, others courtesy of Frank P. and even more by Norm W.

The beach at 9:15...	....was lined with boats!	More beach
Lineup of Frank P's motors waiting to be run.	Some of the motors on display.	This sad, forlorn little Elgin followed me home!
Nice RBM	Two nicely restored late 20's Johnson A's	Some of Dan T's motors
Jim M's Clinton	Clinton #2	Almost mint!
And the spec's	Little Neptune saw some sea-time	Faithful Evinrude RBM, Brook puts a lot of hours on this motor each year. No planned obsolescence there!
Rick P and '55 Evinrude vs. Bill A and his Johnson "S"	Here is a close-up of Bill A's S-45 - what a nice motor!	Joe M serves up his signature dish - YUM!
An actual running McCulloch low-profile 7 1/2 - see the wake!	Had to get a picture of this - it may never happen again!	Styling says: "Take me to your leader...."
Frank says: "I like this 1960 Evinrude 10!"
Dan T and his Martin 40	Rusty's Chris Craft he built as a kid in the 1950's	Another view
He has restored this boat to look just great!	As does the West Bend Shark.	A really cool boat & motor.
Ken B, his son and Feathercraft with '58 Johnson RD	And his brother Dave B with his Feathercraft with '57 Johnson RD - two beautiful boats & motors	Here are the two side by side.
Late 50's Feathercraft, this one has a Merc hiding behind the wings	A better shot of the Feathercraft. 1957 Mark-55 - Marlin Blue over Gulf Blue	Ken H takes his nifty Feathercraft out for a spin
Ron M out enjoying the day with two trusty Johnson's - AT and CD	Pat & Bob Z with their '55 Johnson CD 5 1/2	What a great day for a spin on the lake!
Frank P and the "Ruff" Elgin	Go-fast Merc	Rare late Mark 55H (but not original)
This 1956 Johnson 15 appeared to be all original!	1956 Mark 25	1957 Mark 30 in Sunset Orange and Tan
We ran this '62 Evinrude Fisherman for about 2 hours, when we returned there was more fuel in the tank than when we left!	Tom M stunned all of us with this, his "new" motor. Personally I have never seen Tom with an outboard having a recoil starter, little less a gearshift!	Even more stunning is Bill A with his modern motor, a Martin 100. "Lookee, no hands - it runs itself!"

Yankee Chapter: Making Waves With Old Outboards