Mount Dora 2005

Mount Dora 2005 - what a weekend! It started Thursday for some, the locals and some not so locals started arriving and getting spots ready for the weekend. The weather was not co-operating; it was a cold 60 degrees and raining off and on. Didn't dampen our spirits though, since we knew it would clear up. The whole weekend started slo, just like this article.

There were 14 of us that gathered by late afternoon and we decided to take a break; since it was St. Patty's day. The group checked in to the various hotels and regrouped at Jeremiah's for dinner - corned beef and cabbage to honor the day. We partied till 11 when Tom Wenner and Trevor Kersch from Jersey arrived. It took 22 hours of driving time for them to get here since it was snowing in three states they drove thru. We said our hellos and would see them in the morning.

The skiffs that showed up for the event were:

Jersey Girl

River Rat

Whizzbang

Swamp Rat

X Brute Force

The Bad Banana

Puffin

Jo Carol Too

Cloud Nine

Sir Alter Ego

Hot Tub; Rock N Roll; Puppy Love; Sun Dog; Heartbeat; Hops A Lot; Soul Mates; Outrage; Pa Pas Bundle; Lowe Blow; Re Run; Glory Days; Wo-Jo; Bad Attitude; Breakin Water; Pure Adrenaline; senti-MENTAL-value     

Friday morning had me wondering about moving south to Florida. It was 42 degrees with a cool breeze blowing off the water. There were already 5 skiffs in the water, so in I go and many follow behind me. Had no intention to drive 10 mph or 80 mph, it was cold, period.

Around 11:45 we were grouping together to make way to Tom & Fran Wark's home for their annual picnic. Ever wonder, once in the skiff you forget about the cold? Well 8 skiffs were out staging and warming up engines before heading off to the party. We were circling, gathering and staging the boats when "Pure Adrenalin" lost a motor. Talk about tough luck, 22 hour drive all the way from Jersey and 15 minutes of ride time - bummer.  One of our own was wounded and I asked Tom if he wanted to pull the boat and we would fix the problem. We have quite a few resources at our disposal. Tom originally thought it was a bent valve. I quickly offered a set of world heads, but he had vortex heads. Someone offered a set of vortex heads he could use. While we were at lunch, Tom diagnosed the problem was a valve through the piston. Our final offer was to do a quick motor change at Tom Wark's garage, but silly Tom forgot to pack that other engine. No problem we found him a motor.  Not wanting to impose he declined the offer.

Back to lunch, A couple skiffers and wives decided to go by car. Fran & Tom outdid themselves again, food and beverages were everywhere. They rented a tent with tables and chairs for the guests. It looked more like a wedding reception not a gathering of skiffs. Flowers decorated the dock and everything was in its place. They sure know how to make a warm reception. Thank you again Fran and Tom.

Back at the show site the general public was gathering to admire all the boats at the show. Most were dressed for a fall day in New England rather than a typical spring afternoon in Florida. As more people arrived, we renewed old acquaintances and introduced future skiffers to our group. We did a little cruising throughout the afternoon as not to have a wash for the day. It really wasn't that cold, mid 60's but our blood is getting used to the local climate, some would call the locals wusses…. Yep I guess that's what we are now.

One person in the crowd came to the skiff tent, where we have a part of a wooden hull with #2 on it on display. The older gentleman said "I remember when that wreck - happened back when I started racing!" Yeah, he got us all to look his way. It was Marshall Van Winkle, the last survivor of the First / Fast Five. This group of group formed the first official APBA racing rules for the Jersey Skiffs back in 47.  Marshall is no longer running in skiffs but has quite the collection of beautifully restored old cars.  The last time Marshall was in a skiff was back in 1975.  This weekend Doug Apy took him for a ride and I asked him how it felt.  "Felt great - felt like the 'ol skiff beating my ass!"  It is honor to give our skiff forefathers an opportunity to relieve the exhilaration they once knew of a skiff ride after so many years of not being on one.  The pleasure for us is the ability to see the renewed happiness in them as they go for a ride.  We always seek out and encourage the guys from the past to come and relieve some of their earlier memories.  (Side note:  Claire had an opportunity to chat with Marshall and his story will be posted elsewhere…someday

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At 6 pm we headed over to the Captain's party hosted by the Sunnylands Chapter. The reception was held at the Lakeside Inn where the finger foods and courtesy beverages kept flowing. The party was scheduled to last till 8, but it went well into the evening. If you were thirsty or hungry, it's your own fault as there was plenty for all. We called it a day around 10 pm and knew Saturday morning would be here before we knew it.

Saturday came and the weather started to improve, it was a comfortable mid 50 degree morning. I met with some of the early risers, Dave and his brother Chris Yeager who were on launch detail were making their way to the coffee tent. We met Phil Jordan "Glory Days" as he was once again polishing his boat,

and started making plans for the day. Skip was arranging the Skiff tent with all his memorabilia of hydro and skiff history. There were 27 skiffs in the water this morning. By 9am you noticed a lot of activity starting to go on. Refueling, wiping morning dew and warming engines was the order of the day, Phil was still polishing his boat.

 A couple boats ventured out to appreciate the beautiful serene lake before the crowds came - both on land and water.

We scheduled a 10 am question and expectation seminar for all the drivers so there would be no confusion where the newly placed gill nets were. A ladies meeting was also scheduled, to have a power puff run starting at 11 am.  The ladies collectively decided a run around 2 pm would suit them better as it was still quite cool. We (the regular skippers) unanimously decided to go along with their request (although we really had no choice).

It was getting past noon now and most all the skiffs were moving in or out burning fuel. I personally went thru 25 gallons and that was with a light Sunday cruising schedule! Paul "Heartbeat" made sure anything moving on the water was slower than him, including the sea plane he raced and beat! From the stories we heard, Jean Hoffman's dual seat Lauderback was no match for Paul either.

Sir Alter Ego went out for some fun in the sun and Jimmy came back saying something happened. Skip took one of the valve covers off and sure enough a bent pushrod. Have no fear, in Skip's tool box was a handful of pushrods! Skip installed the rod and sent Jimmy back on his way.

Soul Mates was towed back to the beach and low and behold, a gill net was attached to his prop!

 Not soon after, Doug Apy in Jo Carol Too couldn't believe how long it took him & Roger from Breakin Water to get the gill net cut from around Rogers prop! Guess we know who missed the meeting!

Two o'clock was the time the ladies set to do their Power Puff Run. This is where the guys turned over the boats to their wives or lady friends so they have an opportunity to see for themselves what infatuates us (the men). We now get to have them show us what it's like not to have the wheel. (Be in control). In the lineup was:

   Taylor Harris "Little Miss Hollywood Florida" age 7 driving Breakin Water sitting on her daddy’s lap since reaching the throttle petal, while steering was out of the question. First thing Taylor noticed was Roger had forgotten to fuel the boat! (Roger you know the ladies aren’t responsible to fuel up anything!). After refueling, Taylor wanted to race to catch the group but was decisively overruled by her younger sister Meghan.

  Cathy Schuler "Miss Detroit" driving Whizzbang, was the most experienced skiff women driver present of the group; since she owns her own skiff and is driving it extremely well.

  Terry Branch "Miss Fruit Cove" driving Re-Run had stiff fingers for two hours after the run. Terry was told whatever she did, "Don't let go of the steering wheel".  Terry now wants Mike to install a soft sponge flower patterned wheel cover.

  Cathy Ennis "Miss Black Creek" was driving Sun Dog with a fractured nose caused by their dog Sunny. Cathy was having a problem staying out of the wake of the boats in front of her, once Cliff realized the problem he encouraged her to speed up and get out of the wake.

  Margaret Schoenleber "Miss Palm Coast" drove Lowe Blow quite impressively; she blew by me around 60 mph while catching up, and Bruce looked at me like he was hanging on for dear life.

  Linda Nagle / Warner "Miss Annapolis" (a licensed Coast Guard Captain) driving Hot Tub with Christy Hess as her crew. The ladies threw Chuck out of the boat for this event. Linda's handling of the skiff was also quite impressive - she looked like a seasoned pro.

  Jeannie Jordan "Miss Barberville" was driving Glory Days, requested a cushion to sit on so she could see over the bow.  Not that it would really help as Jean is legally blind. Jean mashed the gas petal to the floor and Phil said "Where the hell you going?" Jeans reply was she didn't want anyone to think she couldn't keep up! Phil responder, "They haven't left yet!". They did work as a team; Phil worked the petal and kept telling Jean, "a little left dear, a little left".

  Fran Wark "Miss Lake Beauclaire" driving Jersey Girl who really, really, really wants her own skiff even more now - I promised, I'll talk to Tom. 

   Claire Ferry "Miss Lake Eustis" driving Puppy Love made the comment "driving at 6000 rpm feels different when you have a wheel to hang onto"! Gee I could get used to this especially now after having the wheel! (Claire's note:  Marty couldn't wait to kick me out of the driver's seat!) 

The rest of the woman who didn't participate (were shopping in town and lost track of time) had good intentions, maybe next time. Linda Forum did tell me she drove Outrage later in the day. I have to tell you, I was quite impressed with all the new drivers and noticed quite a bit of enthusiasm amongst them. I hope this experience encourages the women to drive more often and demonstrated to others that it's not just a man's sport!

By Saturday afternoon, most of the skiffs had to be refueled. Doesn't surprise me, since most of our own events or joint ACBS (Antique and Classic Boating Society) events we have unlimited water time to demonstrate and show our boats. Some of us also participate in APBA Vintage events but water time is usually extremely limited so refueling is never an issue.

It was getting late in the afternoon and time to put the skiffs away for the day, one more quick polish for Phil and he was done. We were heading to the awards dinner that evening at Lake Receptions hosted by the Sunnylands Chapter.  At the buffet style dinner, we had beef, chicken, and fish with all the trimmings.  Music was supplied by a 5 piece band. Terry Fiest was the event organizer and Master of Ceremonies. Usually get mic time to distribute awards and make announcements, but because of the large program this year Terry handled our part. He gave recognition to the skiff gang, (28 boats registered w/3 additional show ups), commented on our abilities of outstanding cooperation with each other, ability to police our own, and our outstanding "informal" organization as a group. Once again we had no accidents or incidents.  Terry also did an outstanding job in recognizing and honoring Marshall Van Winkle.  We in turn thanked Terry and his staff.  Side bar: received a call Sunday night from Gerald Dakes (Chapter president) personally inviting the skiffs gratis to the poker run and party 4/16.

Billy Russell of Flyin Pony was awarded the best Chris-Craft from the Chris-Craft organization for his wooden boat Little Squirt. It is now documented that Billy has the best LITTLE woody in Mount Dora! (Billy built my skiff deck and totally restored the Little Squirt if you need quality work done, give Bill a ring.)

After the dinner we took the time to pass out a couple fun awards giving recognition for things accomplished.

W.O.F.P. Award: Way Out Front Paul award was given to Paul Nowack of Heartbeat. Paul received this award because he complains we never have enough pictures of him at any of the events. Paul received a disposable camera so he could share it with Tom Law & Sandy McGugan of Hops A Lot (another boat always out front). They can now use the camera, and send us the pictures and we'll publish them.

Checklist Award: This award was shared by two drivers, Cliff Ennis with Sun Dog and Skip Gillam with Sir Alter Ego. Cliff and Skip received this award for their part in attempting to power their skiffs off the trailer while still attached. Cliff almost pulled his truck in the water, Skip almost ruined a prop. Ironically both were done the same day! Timmy, Skip's grandson witnessed the whole display and gave them both a 10 for their effort. Both skippers were given a notepad listing Things to Do…

Power Puff Award: This was a very tough to pick just one since all the drivers deserved this for one reason or another. We decided to give it to Jeannie Jordan because all she had to overcome just to do drive the boat. Next year we will have a sponsor, maybe Lorea'l that way, all the women can get goodie bags!

Another long day comes to an end.  Stay tuned for Sunday

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