Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Jeff on 08/12/08 - 6:49 PM

I bring my recently restored 1976 Newport to a classic car show at work?

I am not sure how many have ever heard of the Woodward Dream cruise (link / link) held here in SE Michigan but, it is over 1 million people over 10 miles with some 30,000+ classic cars, trucks, and bikes parked on show and driving along Woodward Ave. History is...Woodard is a the paved road in the world. It is also the main route that back in the day connected downtown Detroit with what was then the northern most parts of civilization. It was the road to cruise and drag race back in the day and that it is the Motorcity it is a natural for this classic car event. Every year people from around the US trailer, drive, or push their classic cars out for a day long (actually now a week but the big party is on Saturday) cruise and car show. The whole town gets in a frenzy and our Office puts on our own classic car show every year for people to show off their goods. I was planning on bringing my 1965 Honda CT200 trail bike however, as of this evening the electrical gremlins have won the long battle to have ti ready for this event.

So, being a boat guy I was thinking, how come we never get any love? So I am kicking around the idea of taking the boat and parking at the event and calling it a day. Something tells me most will enjoy seeing something different. Am I crazy?

I know I am asking a bunch of boat guys but feel free to tell me if I am crazy.

Edited by Jeff on 08/12/08 - 6:54 PM

Posted by Derwd24 on 08/12/08 - 7:08 PM

I vote to do it Jeff! First off, I think that any eye that appreciates a classic car, appreciates a classic to one degree or another. Second, and maybe more importantly, there will be little kids who see a (your) Whaler for the first time there, and like happened to each of us at some point, the magic happens. You could be the catalyst for that!

Let us know what you decide!

Posted by howard Werner on 08/12/08 - 7:10 PM

Jeff,

I've been to the cruise and you are crazy but I think it's a GREAT idea. Those car guys love quality and your work is certainly of the best quality. Now, if you could borrow a mint 1976 pick up you would really have something, but I say go for it either way. Maybe one of those account execs upstairs can help you get one from a client type....

Howard

Posted by Mike on 08/12/08 - 8:39 PM

I found this definition of Nerd:

Nerd - A nerd is very similar to a geek, but with more RAM and a faster modem. Nerds often find geeks dull because geeks don't spend enough time talking about computers.

With minor adjustment:

Wherd - A Wherd is very similar to a wheek, but with more WOOD and a faster motor. Wherds often find wheeks dull because wheeks don't spend enough time talking about WHALERS.

This could make you the worlds first Wherd!

Better Wherd than Wheek.

Go for it!

Posted by MW on 08/12/08 - 11:31 PM

Yes Jeff, you are crazy but, NOT because you want to bring a classic boat to a car show (then again, we're all crazy too, so this will be a "Slanted" opinion). I say "Bring It".
"Woodward Ave", If you love "Hot Rod's" (and we do), then you've heard of "Woodward ave", it's where most Detroit "MUSCLE" was "UNOFFICIALLY" tested at 2AM before the rest of the U.S. found what was actually "Quick". ;)
mw

Edited by MW on 08/12/08 - 11:32 PM

Posted by Binkie on 08/13/08 - 4:44 AM

#10

adrian
Antique Boat shows are not entirely non-existent. Check out the Mt. Dora Antique Boat Show held in Mt. Dora Fl. every March. It is the largest show of its type in the US., and yes there are a few cars there too.

http://woodyboats.blogspot.com/2007/1...-dora.html

rich

Posted by sraab928 on 08/13/08 - 5:35 AM

#11

Jeff, I go to a lot of classic car shows.... I have never seen a boat at one personally but if I did I would of course really enjoy it. I don't think there is any harm in trying it - I think you will find alot of people will really appreciate a well kept classic boat.

My vote is go for it! Now if my 57 Chevy Wagon were done you could use that to tow the boat - then it would be total no brainer.... Unfortunately she is far from ready.... and far from you...lol

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/sraab928/57%20Chevy/0701081505.jpg[/IMG]

Posted by flippa on 08/13/08 - 6:58 AM

#12

I think would be cool, but the boat needs to be pulled by a similar vintage family-truckster type vehicle; a late 60's or early 70's station wagon would be awesome. It definitely would be a hit.

I had a 1968 Buick Skylark convertible that I would use to pull my Montauk (but only to the fresh water lakes). I used to get all sorts of smiles & comments when trailering the boat up to NH. The Buick was a great tow vehicle. It had a 430 big block and was a fairly heavy car, so you wouldn't even know that there was a boat on the back. I miss them both.

And yes Jeff, you are a big time whaler nerd. But aren't we all.

Edited by flippa on 08/13/08 - 7:02 AM

Posted by Jeff on 08/13/08 - 7:22 AM

#13

Well I brought the boat however, it looks like the show will be put off till tomorrow as rain is in the forecast. Never understood why people with classic cars are afraid of rain. Well, I get it but, find it to be silly. If tomorrow I should have all the parts for the bike in today so it may be possible to ride that in. We will see.

Anyway I wish I had a vintage vehicle to tow it with however I do'nt. Poo poo it all you want as well but I do not even tow it with an American Car. My father used to have a 1974 White Coupe DeVille that would have been great to pull it with however it is recently sold. The car was 21'4" stem to stern.

Thanks all for confirming I am a nerd (Phil seems to be adamant about it).

On my way in this morning.

BTW Scott, a word of caution. Friends have learned to only ask me to drive their cars when they want to see what they can do. I have driven a friend BMW sideways, had a viper up to 155mph on a track, and done donuts with a Porsche 911 to name a few test drives. Put me behind the wheel of anything and I drive it like I drive my cars on the track. Here are some snow antics

Edited by Jeff on 08/13/08 - 7:32 AM

Posted by sraab928 on 08/13/08 - 1:42 PM

#15

No problem Jeff.... I have no problem driving it like ya stole it! I dont have or build stuff thats not supposed to get used. My 928S3 was a mint showroom car - but when I got behind the wheel - lets just say I had to clean the rubber off the panels when I got home....

The 57 only has a small block in it - One of the visions is dropping a big block in her and small tubs in the back.... but this car has been a long project and suspect it will get sold long before that.

As for the import.... no worries there. I really would like a Twin turbo Supra one of these days... They look like a blast to drive!

Posted by Jeff on 08/14/08 - 5:53 AM

#17

Well,

The show went on and I got a lot of joking about bringing it but that was usaully followed by lots of great comments and conversation. Glad I brought it. As it turned out as well I got the Motorcycle running last night after installing a new rectifier, a day late and a dollar short. Oh well.

Below is a picture of the new toy. 1965 Honda CT200 Trail 90. I got it through a barter and could not be happier.

Rich,
I was I had my in car videos of my SCCA autocross and road racing days. Unfortunately they are all on something called video tape (what ever that is). Those videos were all I had and is how we spend our lunch hours in the winter. The boat racing looks like blast. Reminds me of my teenage years running the 15 Supersport with the 4 cylinder Merc 75. Wide open, trimmed up, with a rooster tail.

Scott,
I hear you on the turbo supras. I perfer the single turbos not as fast of the line but huge power once you are up and going.

Edited by Jeff on 08/14/08 - 5:57 AM

Posted by Jeff on 08/14/08 - 6:20 AM

#19

Rich it is unrestored with about 3497 miles on it. Of course like Whaler photos online you can hide a lot of sins with low res photos. All in all it is in good condition and I have had 2 guys already offer to buy it since I brought it home. One was the mechanic who I bought all of my parts from the other was just a guy out for a walk in my neighborhood and saw me working on it. At first I thought I was going to do a full resto but, now I think I am going to just run it as is. The motor is a 4 stroke push rod 90cc Motor and it has a cool thumper sound to it.

Edited by Jeff on 08/14/08 - 6:22 AM