Thanks to Bob Kays Who sent this photo of fellow Woody Boater Bob Rice in the last few moments of his last Gasp ride in Lieutenant, a 1949 22’ Chris Craft Sportsman. Bob is about to enter his covered slip at Katz’s Marina, Lake Hopatcong, NJ for the final time of 2011. While this may appear to be a tranquil setting, Bob’s ride was anything but. Winds were steady between 25-30 mph with gusts over 40, and temps in the low 50’s. But was not to be denied his last ride, with a beefy U-22 and a warm coat, Bob made his usual circuit around the lake without trouble, just pure fun!
Thanks to all the readers for sending in your stories and images. We had close to 4,000 visitors yesterday. And more to come. Fun videos, a 105 mph last gasp…and family outings.. Keep’m coming
"In total disbelief that the last boat ride had come.. My boat trailer snapped this picture just before we put her back on the trailer. Even a boat trailer gets sad when the last ride of the season is over." Dave Jane 1959 Switzercraft Day Cruiser
And these from Dan Kimball
Gotta Love Those Colors Up there. DANG!
Here are a few photos from our last gasp ride aboard our 1956 18ft Chris Craft Sea Skiff “Spuds” this past Saturday on Little Traverse Bay in Harbor Springs, MI. This was our first summer with the boat, and I wish we could keep her in the water for a few more weeks. That being said, we’ve put a lot of hours on her and have discovered that our 11 year old, 95 lb black lab Bay enjoys being on the boat as much as I do.
We still have a little foliage left, although all it will take is a stiff breeze and the leaves will be gone. Pictured on the aft seat in front of the Harbor Point Light House are my wife, Stephanie (left), my mom Dyan (right), and Bay the dog (middle), and yes that is a bag of dog treats on the far right of the seat. The shot through the windshield was taken in front of the Wequetonsing cottage association. Photos were taken by my father, John.
Spuds should be coming out of the water today or tomorrow, and my father and I are champing at the bit to start our project list….including refinishing the transom, deck, and interior. We also plan to repaint the bottom and the floorboards. It’s going to be a busy winter!
And one more from our last months Woody Boat of the month.. Thanks Mark Edmonson.. Thanks for the cold un romantic reality of the moment. Says it all..
Thanks to Dan Kimball for those great late-fall Sea Skiff cruise pictures! I’m so jealous…I own a sistership to Dan’s “SPUDS”; SK-18-074 “BETSY” -built in 1954 as an early ’55 model. I love the simple charms of the 1st-gen. Sea Skiffs and will begin my restoration of “BETSY” here in Green Lake, WI next spring. Until then, I’ll have to live vicariously through these “last gasp” pictures on WoodyBoater…send us all some more, OK? You can check out my Sea Skiff in the Hull Registry on the Chris*Craft Antique Boat Club website here:
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/viewboat.php?boat_id=1661#
…waiting for the 105 mph last gasp…..come on, cough it up!!
I want one of those lifts that can go on the highway. Just load all the gear on the boat and go. Launch at the ramp and you are on your way. A seamless transition.