2014 - Volume VI, Issue 1

The Bilge Pump
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CLASSICS,
41ST CHAPTER OF THE
ANTIQUE & CLASSIC
BOAT SOCIETY
V O L U M E
V I
I S S U E
I
N O V 2 0 1 3 - M A R 2 0 1 4
It can seem like a long, long time between our RMC Annual Meeting in October
and the Loveland Regatta in June. Thank goodness we live in a place where winter is fun
and beautiful, but – it’s still winter, and it’s NOT boating season.
INSIDE
THIS
EDITION
Fortunately, our club members create opportunities to keep in touch, and several
members make the effort to keep classic boating in the public eye.
...

MEET SOME
OUR NEW
MEMBERS!

NEW FEATURE
OF
MY FIRST BOAT

SURVEY—WHAT
DO WOMEN
WANT? (FROM
THE CLUB
THAT IS)
BOARD MEMBERS

Bob Phillips, President

John Stiller, Vice
President

Charlie Simons,
Treasurer

Vickie Rutkowski,
Secretary

Directors:

Steve Frasier

Michael Vannier

Doug Brown

Thad Bergh

Chip Taft, Director-atLarge
Last December, Michael and Diane Vannier hosted the first annual Wood, Wine,
and Wassail RMC Holiday Celebration Event at their beautiful home in Mead. Guests
were treated to great food and refreshments in a home beautifully decorated for Christmas. It was fun to see Diane’s extensive collection of Santa’s – every kind, every shape,
every size. And of course we got to see Michael’s progress on “Mike’s Mess”, which is
coming along nicely and will be ready for boating season this year.
Mike and Diane have already decided to host the 2nd annual Wood, Wine, and
Wassail next December so this could be one of our new favorite holiday traditions!
In January, February and March, the RMC had a display of classic boats at various
Denver/Colorado Springs boating and outdoor shows. The RMC participates in these
shows to get the word out about our club and to attract new members, and this year the
shows were very successful in both regards.
At the next event, take a moment to recognize the people who – year after year
– work so hard to make these shows a success. In many ways, the winter static shows
are harder to coordinate than the
summer in-the-water shows. The
challenge of lining up boats for
the display, the logistics of getting
in and out of the venues, the
weather “wild-card” – our show
coordinators, Jeff and Diane Waco
and John Stiller deal with it all.
The January show was the
club’s first opportunity to use the
new banner ordered by Diane
Vannier, and the new display asRMC at the Denver Boat Show,
sembled by Diane and Jeff Waco.
January 2014
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2
From the Helm
I am composing this column on St. Patrick’s Day. So as you read
this, read responsibly (with or without a pint of Guinness or a dram of
Jameson).
I could launch into the usual verbiage regarding the upcoming
calendar and about all the successful events (3) the club has participated
in so far this year. But I won’t. Other parts of Vickie’s publication will
cover it adequately. We do have an eventful year and it will all go well.
We have a good board and experienced event planners.
This is my 3rd and final full term as president. I was catapulted into the
rarified air of the Club Admiralty 3 years ago by the surprise move to the east
coast of Maggie and Pete. With the unabashed help of Mike Novick and many
others I got my bearings, loaded the bunkers, got steam up, and set a course
for what I hoped would be a suitable performance in office.
I am heartened by the acquisition of new members. They are the future pulse of the club. New members, on behalf of RMC please accept my
hand of welcoming and my excitement for each of you.
Ok, back to the Theme of the day. Possibly the most famous of the
ships built in Ireland was the RMS Titanic. Short lived, yes, but a milestone of
ship building in many ways. Approximately 3 million rivets! 3 years to build.
Port of Belfast.
Other busy ship-building ports include Derry, Cork, and Dublin. Early
commercial craft of all sorts. The National Maritime Museum of Ireland was
established in 1978 in Dun Laoghaire, SE of Dublin. It is housed in the former
Marnier’s Church.
The Irish sailing rig called the Galway Hooker was a common cargo craft
and is coming back into re-recognition in Ireland. Irish immigrants in the States
built their own in the likeness of those in the old country. They were given several nicknames such as Boston Hookers, Irish Cutters, and Paddy Boats.
So there it is on this fun day. I am half Irish and you now know I own a
large green sweater.
Keep Wayne in front of you and your hand on the tiller,
Bobby O’ Phillips
President
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Norm Hammar greets me with a hearty handshake and a broad grin. We’re at
the 57th Annual Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel show where Norm has a booth right
across from the RMC Classic Boat Display.
Norm’s a new member of our group so I’m eager to meet him and find out
something about him. I already know he has good taste – he recently bought the Loon
from Tom and Kathy Lange. Now I want to get the story on his boat business.
“I’ve had 10 careers,” he tells me, and as we talk, I understand he’s not kidding.
His winding life path has taken him from pilot in Vietnam to family lumber business to
the seminary and several other places in between. His current venture, though, has to
be one of the coolest.
Norm owns Retro Boats, and here – in his own words— is his story.
Retro Boats LLC
Last year I purchased the company from a Canadian who developed the fiberglass molds
patterned off of a 1958 “Shark” made by the Red Fish Boat Company ( the design was
stolen from Glastron, http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Red_Fish ). The previous
owner is a structural engineer, so the boat has 19 modifications from the original boat in
order to meet current US Coast Guard standards for hull strength, flotation, material
composition, etc. So far I have sold four of the Retro Boats, and hope to sell four more
in 2014.
This is the original logo of the Red Fish Boat Company of the 1950s.
My shop is in Grand Junction, CO,
where I live with my wonderful
wife Marilyn, four
Pomeranians, and one cat.
This is a photo of part of my shop
and of my “show-room” Retro
Boat. Imagine the 1950s and
1960s rock music playing over the
1960s Pioneer
speakers.
Check out my website at www.RetroBoatsUSA.com
Continued on Page 5
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1. Did you know that when following
another vessel in a river, narrow canal,
or marked channel, you're the GiveWay vessel, meaning you have the greater burden of
responsibility should anything go wrong when you try to
pass? Your vessel, in this case, is also called the burdened vessel.
2. Did you know that the vessel you want to pass is the
Stand-On vessel? It's privileged and the skipper can
deny you passage if she thinks it's unsafe.
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5. Did you know that if you are on a crossing course
with another vessel that could result in a collision if neither boat changes course or speed, the other vessel on
the right is considered the privileged or Stand-On vessel
and you must let it pass in front of you.
6. Did you know that when the other vessel is on the
left, you are the privileged or Stand-On vessel and you
must pass in front of the other vessel.
7. Did you know that when you are meeting another
vessel head-on you should both steer to the right to
3. Did you know that you should sound two short blasts such a degree that each can see the other's intention to
from your horn or sound producing device, signifying
pass safely port side to port side (left to left).
you would like to pass the skipper on his port (left) side?
8. Did you know vessels restricted by their draft or fish4. Did you know that permission is denied when he
ing gear such as nets or trawls (commercial vessels),
blasts the horn five times, signifying there is danger in- hold privilege over all recreational vessels, including
volved in such a maneuver. If he doesn't respond at all, sailboats.
consider it five short blasts and don't attempt to pass.
George is the archivist of the State of Colorado, and as such, he’s responsible for all of the permanent
government records for the state that are deemed worthy of preservation. He, and his significant other Tracey,
are also new members of the Rocky Mountain Classics.
Here, George introduces himself and his family to our group.
Orlowski’s 1959 Fleetform Commodore
I've been an archivist for almost
nineteen years, and two years ago I was
appointed as the state archivist. I'm
responsible for all of the permanent
government records for the State of
Colorado.
Tracey is the owner and founder of Best Life Therapy, she's a psychotherapist. Tracey also restores vintage
campers, and is an artist.
My son Noah is a freshman at
Berthoud High School. He's in Boy
Scouts, and makes short films, and
loves drawing.
Life is pretty good.
Continued on Page 10
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continued from page 3
When I participate in parades and car
shows, I look like this. I love my 1957 Chevy
with matching exterior color and upholstery!
Last summer, I purchased “Loon” from Tom
and Kathy Lange, and they suggested I join the club. I
am so glad to hear Tom is getting better!
If you are ever in Grand Junction, please
stop by and say “hello” because I would love to
talk with you about vintage boats and cars.
In an earlier life I flew for the Air Force in Vietnam.
Norm and Marilyn Hammar
[email protected]
970-314-0372
Here is some information you need for the upcoming boating season, compliments of Jeff Waco.
You can go to http://SafetySeal.net to access a checklist to see whether your boat would pass a vessel
safety check.
YOU MUST comply with Colorado requirements which are a little different from the federal requirements. You do not need incendiary flares in the state—too much of a fire hazard if you make a mistake. Signaling devices such as whistles, signaling lights, flags etc. are acceptable.
PFD's are very important and must be coast guard approved and be very accessible, not in plastic bags.
Lights must be operational and numbering must be of the acceptable size with correct spacing.
Jeff is putting together a safety class for April. Email him at [email protected] if you are interested.
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Flying “Come within
hail” and
“Postponement” flags
on Lake Dillon
Tim Pleune introduces us to
his classic wooden boat,
BOSS. Here is Tim’s story.
BOSS is a 1955 Richardson Express Cruiser, built in Tonawanda New York by the Richardson Boat. Started
in 1909, the Richardson Boat Company was a very successful enterprise competing with Chris Craft and making
“quality boats at a fair price”.
This boat sports a cedar top side with mahogany and teak bright work over oak frames. The boat was
brought to Colorado from Michigan on a custom-built trailer by the former owner of Rocky Mountain Boat Works.
BOSS has a colorful past. She’s gone through multiple restorations as “Club Car”, followed by an unfortunate sinking at the Cherry Creek Marina. In 2007 Tim and a partner bought her out of the insurance claim and went
to work on her.
Through their involvement with the Dillon Yacht Club, BOSS then went to work as the signal boat starting
and finishing fleet racing on Dillon. Hence the name BOSS. Tim calls her a “working boat” that got fired when the
club decided to buy their own committee boat two years ago. But she also knows how to have fun on the water,
something that’s been proven many times.
Twin Gray Marine 115s on V-Drives supply the power. BOSS can sleep six – if they’re good friends. She has
a manual head, sink and icebox below. Carvel Bottom Planking still uses the original cotton packing and seam
coating so both top side and bottom side maintenance is always ongoing.
If the Gods of Old Boats are willing, Tim will be launching on Cherry Creek this summer to continue the current restoration process which is in the “OK, now which part of the process should we do again or should we finally
replace those crushed motor mounts this year?” phase.
Tim says, “I have learned a lot from this boat, and I believe, as one of my mentors from the wooden boat
forum says, that one of the truly great things about owning an old boat is the smell it imparts to your clothing.”
Because of the traditional bottom seams and difficulty of trailering the 12,000 pound load, you won’t be
seeing BOSS at the summer events. If any of you are interested in more conversation about the boat, Tim has lots
of restoration photos and would be happy to welcome you aboard this summer.
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Everyone has a First Boat Story. Tell yours in The Bilge Pump soon!
My first boat, or I should say OUR first boat – since it belonged to my brother Tom and me - was a
1954, 12’ Wagemaker Wolverine with a 12hp Evinrude and
trailer. We purchased her for $125 in 1964.
Tom named our boat the WILD CHILD and painted the
name on her side.
Our Wolverine had a white painted hull, the deck and
interior had a dark stain. It was not a perfect boat, but she was
good enough. The Evenrude was a piece of junk that even our
best efforts couldn’t get running. A neighbor had a 1959, Metallic
Red and Cream 18hp Johnson that was like new. We bought it for
$100.
We Lived in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, north of Detroit.
We were only a mile from the city park that had a free boat ramp
for residents. The summers of 1964 and 1965 were boating summers for us. If I we weren’t working or sleeping, we were on the
lake in the Wild Child.
We hung out at Ford’s Cove which is a large body of water
that extends into the Edsel Ford Estate. Edsel owned the land but
Wild Child, St. Clair Shores, MI, circa
the lake was public, and it was a great place to swim or ski. The
1964
one thing I always remember about Lake St. Clair is trying to water ski. The 18hp could pull a skier if the water was calm and the
skier could get up quick. Otherwise you were guaranteed to take a nice gulp of lake water.
In 1965 I graduated from East Detroit High. In October got my letter from Uncle Sam. Brother Tom
used the Wild Child through the summer of 1966 but then joined the real Navy. Neither of us remembers
what happened to our Child after that. We think Dad either passed her on to another family or held a Viking
Funeral for her.
Wagemaker Industries was a furniture manufacturer in Grand Rapids Michigan. In 1931 the family branched
out into boat building to keep their employees busy when
the furniture demand slowed. They developed a way to
mold plywood for boat hulls. Their woodworking skills and
expertise came from their furniture manufacturing background. They built the Wolverine in 12’ and 14’ models.
They also took on a line of aluminum boats. They went out
of business in 1960. Although they did start to build in
fiberglass, they just were not able to compete in the boat
market. More information about Wagemaker boats can be
found at www.wagemakerwolverineboats.com.
Mike with his Corvair and the Wild Child, circa 1965
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Tony Gilbert has a family tie to the Chris Craft tradition. He and his wife, Nita, recently joined our club and
shared this story of how they came to own a beautiful 1958 Chris Craft Sportsman. Please join me in welcoming
Tony and Nita to the RMC!
My boat is a 1958 Chris Craft Sportsman, "St. Claire". The boat was purchased by my father in 1998 and restored at that time by Mayea´s Boat works in Fair Haven, MI.
My father, grand-father, and great grandfather all were associated at sometime in their lives
with the Chris Craft Corporation, headquartered in
their home town of Algonac, MI.
I have my grandfather’s Chris Craft plant
badge, a great, one of a kind memento! I inherited
the boat in 2003 from my father, rescued it from outside storage and hauled it to Colorado from Michigan. I found the Rocky Mountain Classics chapter
when hunting around for some advice on some restoration updates. Glad to be part of the group and we
are looking forward to participating!
Continued from page 1
This year our boats were right inside the main entrance – a set-up that made this one of the best shows ever.
Lots of good attention and four new members!
This was the first year we participated in the February outdoor show in Colorado Springs. The focus of that
show was more hunting and fishing than boating and our
display location was not the best, but still a good experience.
Just Lovely and Sea Grape,
Denver Boat Show, 2014
The March show at the National Western Complex
featured a couple of different boats this year, including a
“project boat” owned by Thad Bergh and Mike Rutkowski’s
“almost classic glass”, a 1977 Sea Ray. The 1954 Chris Craft land
cruiser, a perennial crowd pleaser, owned by Jim McGaughy, was
also on display.
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Rutkowski’s #10 Boat
Thad’s Project
Boat
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Continued from Page 4
I plan to tow the boat with our 1967
Dodge Campwagon. My dad bought the van on
March 15th, 1975, so we just celebrated our
thirty-nine year anniversary! This is the vehicle I
had when learning to drive! My family took a lot
of trips in this van, and it holds a million memories. After sitting in one garage or another for
twenty-four years and having many parts and
systems rebuilt, the old girl finally got back on
the road last Thursday! Next will be restoration
of the body and interior. All very exciting.
The Fleetform....over twenty five years
ago, a friend and I bought a black and white
Fleetform from a boat graveyard near the Chain
of Lakes in Wisconsin. $200. No trailer or motor. We spent almost all summer repairing and
replacing, but when Fleetform #1 finally looked
her best, we couldn't afford a motor. Luckily, my dad gave us an old trailer, and we finally bought my neighbor’s old "duck hunting" 1958 Johnson 30 horse and got to work.
Long story longer...we threw a big party called "GrooveFest" up at Lake Shangri-La, Wisconsin, where
the Johnson died and despite the efforts of many a mind, could not be resuscitated. After that, I moved out to
Colorado. My co-owner friend moved to California. My dad gave the boat to a friend of my cousin. He put a
lot of time and money into it to make it perfect and then sold it to a collector.
For over twenty-five years, I've been searching for another Fleetform Commodore.
One day last autumn I was talking sailboats with a neighbor who is sailboat guy. When I got home, for
giggles I got on Craig's List and found not one but TWO Fleetform Commodores for sale!!! I picked up the one
we own now for a mere $500, including the original 35hp Evinrude Lark and the original Holsclaw trailer. I've
repacked the bearings and replaced the wheel assembly on the trailer. I’ve worked about ten-plus coats of
fiberglass polish into the finish. I left all of the stress cracks and the patina from age. I need to have the motor
worked on - the once-over, tune-up, repair of one cable end piece, before she will go.
My friend from California is coming out this summer and we are going to have a "time-warp" weekend,
taking out the van and pulling Fleetform #2.
Our whole family is going to take a safe boating course, and my son - Noah, is very excited about captaining.
I had another boat that was crushed in a fire, when the factory building where I lived in Chicago burned
to the ground. It was a 1971 Aqua-Loop. I also have an early 1940's Lauson 4 stroke 2-1/2 hp, two 1947 Elgin
two-stroke 2-1/2 hp, and a 1938 Johnson twin outboard.
We also have a 1973 Triumph Spitfire and belong to the British Motoring Club of Colorado.
And...a 1940s ten foot sailboat made out of "Gelucell," which, I am told, is the predecessor of Styrofoam.
And two vintage motorcycles - my dad's 1944 Harley WLA. The same model from WWII that he rode in Italy
and France liberating concentration camps. And a 1971 Harley Sprint 350SX that is a "retirement" project.
So lots of stuff in the "Toy Barn."
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Dates
Event
January 10-12
Denver Boat Show/Colorado Convention Center Coordinator Jeff Waco at
[email protected] or 303/421-3141. If you’d like to show your boat or work
the show , contact Jeff today!
February 21-23
2014 Colorado Springs RV, Sport, and Outdoor Show / Phil Long Expo
Center. Jeff Waco at [email protected] or 303/421-3141. If you’d like to
show your boat or work the show , contact Jeff today!
February 27-March 2
57th Annual Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show National Western Complex, Denver, CO;
Coordinator: John Stiller at [email protected] or 303-670-6837. If you’d
like to show your boat or work the show, contact John today!
June 7
2014 12th Annual Lake Loveland Regatta / Lake Loveland, CO
Coordinator: Rich Ball at [email protected] or 970-667-3965
MEMBERS ONLY. RSVP required.
July 12
Grand Lake Antique Boat Show /Grand Lake, Co Coordinator: Chris and Bob
Braaf at [email protected] or 970-887-2210.
July 26
Frisco Boat Show/Frisco, CO
Coordinator: Bill Tordoff at [email protected] or
970-409-9224
Watch your email
August 9
Alcova Boat Show, Alcova Reservoir, Alcova, WY
Coordinator: Charlie Peak at 307-234-0382
about a club
September 18-21
ACBS, Annual Meeting
Skaneateles, NY
Watch ACBS.ORG for meeting details!
Doug and Laurie
TBD
for a message
event in May at
Brown’s!
Sloan’s Lake Rendezvous/Denver, CO
Coordinator: Mike Novick at
[email protected] or 720-244-3376
When asked what women want, Sigmund Freud replied that after 52 years all he could
say is women want men to stop asking dumb questions like that. But that didn’t keep us from
asking, “What DO women want from our boat club?” It’s an important question because we
want our club to be a fun, interesting organization.
Perhaps as telling as the actual responses was the SOURCE of the responses.
Except for one—all of the responses came from men! In fairness, I probably have the men’s
email addresses from ACBS, so we won’t jump to any conclusion there.
Chris Ross is the one woman who responded, and her response—MORE BOATING! Other ideas include a basic
knot-tying and boating terminology class for women and more social events.
Sponsoring a charity got the most votes. The board discussed that at the March meeting, but no decision was
made. If you’re interested in helping organize our support of a charity, contact any Board Member. We’d love to move
this idea forward. Also if there is something that would make the club more meaningful for YOU, let us know.
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The Bilge Pump
Newsletter for the Rocky
Mountain Classics Chapter
Antique and Classic Boat Society
RMC Has Fun During Non-Boating Season Too!
From left to right: George Orlowski,
Michael Vannier, Diane Waco, Jeff Waco,
and John Stiller at the March Sport Show.
Continued from page 9
Mike Novick’s One of My Girls and
Jerry and Chris Ross’s Christy Ann
You can find the RMCC Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocky-Mountain-Classics/127798033976751