Hello fellow members of OACBS:

I mentioned in my September

message that we were having a board

meeting on 7th of September. We

were excited to welcome Steve Leslie

to our board that evening and since

then, Steve has volunteered to do the

editing of the Dry Dock as well as to

communicate more regularly with our

members. Thank you Steve for

volunteering to join the board.

We Thank You for Supporting the Antique & Classic Boat Society by maintaining your Membership to the Okanagan Chapter!

To Join or Renew your Membership please go to

www.myacbs.org

P r e s i d e n t ’ s M e s s a g e

Dry Dock Message from the Wheelhouse

December 2017 Volume 38, Winter Issue

In this issue

● OACBS 2018 Boat show

● OACBS Survey Results

● Golf Cart Shenanigans

● Model Boats

● RV trips

● In the shop

● In Memory

● Upcoming Events

O K A N A G A N A N T I Q U E & C L A S S I C B O A T S O C I E T Y

Jim Cooper, our show Chairman is working very hard with the folks in

Penticton as the plans for our 2018 Boat Show move forward. The date

selected is September 29th, 2018 and will be held at the Penticton Lakeside

Resort and Conference Center. Mark your calendars and check out some of

the details in Jim’s article in this issue. It is a great time of year in the

Okanagan with the wine and apple harvest about to go into high gear!

Page 2 Dry Dock Message from the Wheelhouse

We have not been able to hold an AGM at this time so I will use this space to update you on the

board membership. An agenda for the AGM, to be held by email in January, will be sent out

soon.

The current board is:

PRES: Bruce Wilson Past Pres. & Treasurer: Bruce Middleton

Secretary: Glenda Middleton Public Relations: Bruce Middleton

Membership: Steve Leslie Events: Jim Cooper

Boat Show Chair: Jim Cooper Dry Dock Editor: Steve Leslie

Web Site: Tyson Konecny

I am sad to say that Chris Casparis has resigned from the board. He is fnding that his volunteer

commitments need to be reduced at this time. We will miss him on the board but he assures me

we will see him on the water. Thank you Chris for your service and your dedication to the club.

You will notice that this the frst time in a long time that the Harrison name does not appear on

the list of names on the board. Karen and Paul have been so active in, and such contributors to,

the positive direction of club. We will miss their input and ideas but I know we will see them on

the water and that we can always call for help when needed. On behalf of the club, thank you so

much you two.

I wish you all the best for 2018 and also wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Cheers.

Bruce

OACBS Penticton Boat show 2018Page 3

Be sure to mark your calenders for this year’s show! New date! New venue! Hope to see you there!

September 28-30, 2018

 Penticton Lakeside Resort

 Room prices:

$145(park view)

$155 (beach view)

$165 (lake view)

https://www.pentictonlakesideresort.com/

More Details to follow

Page 4

S U R V E Y R E S U L T S A R E I N . . .

In November we sent out a survey via Survey Monkey, an online survey tool that was emailed to

all active members. If you did not see the survey, it may have ended up in your junk mail? For

those who did respond, a big thanks goes out to you for your time. 

So we found that we all think our club is good but not excellent. Only 1/2 of us know other

members who live close by and 10% socialize on a regular basis. 95% of us would love smaller,

local day trips and everyone who have tried the boat shows and rendezvous love them. 90% of

us do at least a little work on our boats and we’re about 50/50 on attending a classic car show

and a winter work shop. 

What was really interesting was reading your comments on what the OACBS could do better.

The common comment was that there weren’t enough members and events that were close by.

One thing is for sure… we are a small chapter covering a large area with unique, geographical

challenges. Just log onto the ACBS site and click onto the Okanagan chapter. You will see a map

with our member names and locations. 5 in Alberta, 11 in Okanagan, 9 in the lower mainland,

and 3 on Vancouver Island.

This will be a topic that will be discussed at our next board meeting. Your additional comments

and ideas can be sent to me at leslieland@telus.net

Page 5

SO WHAT DID WE LEARN?

Tyson Konecny

How many of you play golf ? When playing golf, how many use a electric or gas cart? I know I do. And when

using that cart, how many people roll up to their next shot and stomp on the E brake and jump out to size up

their next shot., not giving the condition of how you left that cart any consideration at all?

Which brings me to my story.

 Imagine if you will, July long weekend. You are

sitting at your lakeside trailer with friends.

There are kids running around, bbq is going all

day, and the sun is hot, so people have been

splashing in the water all day long. During the

day, one of our friends was telling their 3 year

old boys, “stay out of the cart”, but you

know....boys and 4 wheel anything’s and they

want a piece of it.

 So people had been using our golf cart to let

people in at the gate, and to just cruise around

the park. All who came back basically left the

cart in the same position. Stomped on e brake,

key on, left in drive. One buddy would take the

key out if he noticed.

One time, nobody noticed. One time, nobody noticed the 3 year old climb onto the cart. And one time, the

kid stomped on the gas....................

 In closing, nobody was hurt. The wee lad ended up in the drink, but no lasting effects as he wanted to drive

it again right away........and this picture is proof enough, that you TAKE YOUR KEY OUT OF YOUR

GOLF CART.

Page 6

Model Boat Building Projects

By Leagh Gerlays

Now that the boating season is over, it's time for the model boat building projects to continue.

The 5 ft WW2 Elco  PT boat is nearly completed and the three 3 ft plank on frame Gloriana sailboats are

awaiting the fnal suits of sails.

It's easier to ft model boat projects into my shop than a couple more woody speedboats!

Spring will be here soon enough and the "Woody" , will get some varnish maintenance.

Trip to Port Townsend

By Bruce Wilson

Page 7

Reta and I are just back from

our 10 week RV trip which took us

through Port Townsend. While waiting

for the ferry I met a nice elderly guy

that said he had built his own fshing

boat to catch Tuna off the coast. He

did not mean the sport tuna but the

smaller ones. He showed me a photo

of his boat and said it was all built in

his driveway at the farm, including

pouring the keel. I found his boat as I

walked around the marina. Top-right

is a photo. Some home project??

If you have never visited the

marinas at Port Townsend, please do,

as there is every size and shape of boat

being restored, or built. You could

spend days.

If you have ready any books by

John Steinbeck, his most known is

“The Grapes of Wrath”, you should

check out this boat. It is called

“Western Flyer” and was chartered by

Steinbeck to do marine studies on the

Sea of Cortez in 1940. Check out the

web site to see the story behind this

boat. She has spent some time on the

bottom but keeps getting brought back

to life. Middle-right is a photo of her

appearance after the last re-foating.

westernfler.org

What’s In My Shop?

By Steve Leslie

Page 8

Louise and I had been looking for a while to fnd a bigger boat. We love Lulubelle, our 1942 17’

Chris Craft runabout, but after we pack all our coolers and beach stuff in the back seat theres not much

room left, nor is it much fun if the water is rough. It seems that the bigger boat bug bit me!

This summer we found a 1951 19’ Holiday on Craigslist. Another bad habit of mine. The boat was

located in Moses Lake Wa. After countless emails and texts, we arranged to go see it. Buying a wooden boat

is an emotional experience for me flled with anxiety, excitement, hope, and anticipation. Especially when

you have to travel some distance to see it. You do as much research and get as many photos as you can but

you never know what you have till you get home and go through it.

The seller had a limited knowledge of the boats history.

He purchased the boat around 2006 from a family in the Seattle

area. It had had a cosmetic restoration in the late 90’s? It has its

original engine and bottom and retains its 6v charm. It doesn’t

appear to have had many modifcations. After using it for four

seasons, the owner put the boat in his storage locker at Moses

Lake. The area has a very dry climate. Time and lac of humidity

left the planks to shrink on her planking.

Page 9

I have not been able to acquire the hull card as the Mariners Museum is still closed down, but I did

receive a small miracle last week. The granddaughter of the Seattle family that owned the boat contacted

me. She was helping her grandmother who doesn’t throw much away,  go through some stuff and found a

huge amount of paperwork and photos belonging to the Holiday. She told me that her late grandfather

purchased the in Lake Geneva, Wi. in 1956. It was the family boat and it had been enjoyed over the years.

I’m anxious to see what she sends me.

For me, working on these old boats as well as collecting and preserving their history is a huge part of our

hobby. Its also such a big thrill to drive and enjoy them the way they were meant to so many years ago!

After changing the oil and some minor work,

the 120 hp Hercules fred right up. Runs like

a top! I don’t think there are many hours on

the rebuild. The interior was redone during

the restoration and is still in good shape

although not the correct colour. The

marmoleum foor needs replacing. She still

sports the original bottom and is crying for

some paint. For some reason I’m always

attracted to projects rather than fnished

things.

After having the boat home on the coast I am fnding a lot of the gaps are closing up with our rainy

climate. I had one opportunity to put her in the water and go for a short test run. With a beam of almost 7’

wide this boat is so big and spacious, its like driving Grandpa’s big Oldsmobile!

This winter I’m going though

everything, especially the bottom and

hopefully I can tickle her up to use and and

enjoy for a season or two. After that, if this

is the right boat for us we will do the full

pull with a bottom job. Louise and I have

been spoiled having the 5200 bottom on

Lulubelle and it brings us a lot of

confdence not seeng water inside our boat.

Page 10

The Middleton family would like to thank members of the Okanagan Chapter #39 of the ACBS for the

kind words expressed with the recent passing of our younger brother, Peter. He fought a courageous battle

with Cancer over the last year and a half and died in the loving arms of his Wife, Sandra and his two

children. The feeling and gestures expressed within his precious family continues to provide us all with a

memorable example of unconditional love, commitment, strength and courage through life’s biggest

challenge.

Peter was never one to stand in the background and we could always count on his sage input on life and

business to guide us all along a path of honour. Those that knew him well were familiar with his humorous

dry wit and his ability to see creative solutions to seemingly impossible challenges. The past 11 years here at

Absolute Classics Marine were extra special as we 3 ‘Amigos’ worked together to build a business that was

centered on honesty, hard work, integrity, fairness and dedication to our clients wherever possible - refecting

on the core values instilled on us by our parents. Many questioned how it was that three very different

brothers seemed to get along so well in a business. The methodology was simple…we retained a mutual

respect for each others talent and contribution.

In Memorium – Peter Middleton

Page 11

factory and delivered to Ontario without a front windshield (the Bugatti style) and no ventilators on the aft

deck. When his boat arrived in Kelowna in the mid 1990’s, we were surprised to see 2 wood ventilators on

the aft deck and one on the foredeck, like what one would see on a Canadian made Greavette and what

appeared to be the original leather interior. With his help, we restored the boat together and today the boat

he called ‘Whiskey Barrel’ is still an important part of his family. While not an active member of the club - he

fgured with one brother fully involved and the other semi that was enough Middleton infuence – he

supported it wherever possible at our boat shows and events.

“Joy comes in abundance in one’s life...like when we succeed in tying up a boat after a rather rough crossing.

You are the happiest man in the world. In the evening...you see a billion stars and even if you do not a have

single Dollar in your pocket, you feel like a millionaire. As I refect on life, I believe we have trust in our

ability to defy the impossible. Follow your intuition and passion and through that you will overcome all the

obstacles that come your way. Over the years I have seen many sunsets and I remember them all. As I look

back I am grateful for the wonderful journey.”

Rest in peace, dear Brother, your Legacy lives on

Like all of us Peter loved the boating lifestyle and

did so in style. Over 20 years ago, we found a 1939

Chris-Craft 19’ Custom in Ontario that needed to

be restored. Peter jumped at the chance to acquire

what turned out to be one of the 1st fve Customs

(aka Barrelbacks) built, hull # 48505. Based on our

research it remains one of the earliest known to

exist. In 1938/39, it was ordered from the

Peter had no regrets and can now rest

peacefully knowing we will continue to

remember the infuence he had on us all.

Like the following words from the Italian

Master boat builder, Carlos Riva – joy,

humour, wonder and purpose were a big

part of his life.

Page 12

Upcoming shows and events from our neighboring chapters

Big Sky Mt. - Jun22-24/18 Whitefish Woody Weekend VII - Aug 3-5 /18 13th Annual Boat Show

Columbia Willamette Or.

- Aug 18-19 /18 Lake Oswego Boat Show

Inland Empire Id. - July 13-15 /18 16th Annual Show Sandpoint ID. - Aug 25-26 /18 Cour D’Alene Boat Show - Aug 31-Sept03 /18 Dry Rot Show Priest Lk.

Payette Lakes Id.

- July 27-29 /18 Payette Lakes Classic, McCall

PNW Wa. - July 12-15 /18 Chris Craft Rendezvous,

Port Orchard Wa.

- July 28 /18 Renton River Daze Boat Show

- Oct.6-7 /18 Mahogany and Merlot Lake Chelan

2350 Crestview Road West Kelowna BC Canada V1Z 1Z1

(250) 859-7378

President: Bruce Wilson BruceW@oacbs.ca Past President: Bruce Middleton BruceM@oacbs.ca Secretary: Glenda Middleton GlendaM@oacbs.ca Treasurer: Bruce Middleton BruceM@oacbs.ca

Public Relations: Bruce Middleton BruceM@oacbs.ca Membership: Bruce Wilson BruceW@oacbs.ca Events: Jim Cooper JimC@oacbs.ca Boat Show Chair: Jim Cooper JimC@oacbs.caDry Dock Editor: Steve Leslie SteveL@oacbs.ca Website: Tyson Konecny TysonK@oacbs.ca

WWW.OACBS.CA

What can you do for the OACBS

We’re on the web! Also “like” us on Facebook

Covering Western Canada

THANK YOU MEMBERS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!

GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THE EDITOR AND OUR READERS!

SEASONS GREETINGS AND HAPPY BOATING FOR 2018

Special thanks to my son Spencer… for all your help

We could all beneft with more members in our club. I’m sure that every time you take your classic/antique boat out, people stop you in your tracks, at the gas station or the boat ramp

or even on the water. They are full of compliments, comments and questions.

Do you take the time to talk to them?

Do you tell them that owning a classic boat is cheaper than they might think?

Do you tell them about the ACBS?

Do you tell them about the OACBS?

Do you tell them to look us up on the Internet?

YOU are our clubs greatest promotors!