By Tom Oncken
Our annual early-summer meet on Lake Houston went off without a hitch this year. Unusual weather during the days preceding the meet resulted in lower humidity and lower temperatures than normal for this time of year. There were beautiful blue skies with absolutely no rain. Even mosquitoes did not seem to be a problem. You could not have asked for a better day to swap and/or sell motors and run your boats.
We offer sincere thanks to John Platou who hosts this event each year and arranges for us to take over the grounds and related docks at the Indian Shores Community Center. For those of you who have not attended this meet before, the landscape is a well maintained area that resembles a park with many trees and nice manicured grass from the parking lot to the bulkheads and piers. The community center clubhouse is a spacious air-conditioned facility with a kitchen, a dining area with tables and chairs, and clean restrooms. John also provides one of his personal boats for members to use if needed, and a barbeque pit so we can prepare lunch. If members desire to take a dip, there is also a swimming pool in a fenced area next to the clubhouse available to members and their families. If you failed to attend this year, you really missed the boat! [pun intended]
Speaking of attendance, I am a little disappointed to report that our attendance was down a little as compared to prior years. We had twenty-eight individuals attend this year’s event including new prospects, Kent and Kim Peters. I believe that John Platou had mentioned the meet to Kent, and as a result, Kent and Kim came for a visit to see what we are all about. Apparently, Kent has a few old outboard motors and was not aware that there was a group of old outboard motor nuts nearby who could help him find parts for his motors and/or assist in advice for their restoration. We apparently made a good impression as Kent decided to join AOMCI and the Texas Chapter before leaving the meet. Kent and Kim are officially a part of our group now and I hope everyone will openly welcome them as they attend future events.
Two of our past members, who had been long-time members previously, decided to rejoin AOMCI and our Texas Chapter after a short absence. Please make an effort to welcome back Ed Slominski, who served as our Texas Chapter President in 2006 and 2007, as well as David Coffey, Jr. who has literally grown up in our Texas Chapter. It is fantastic to have these two gentlemen back in the fold. We missed you guys!
To assist Kent (and Kim), Ed, and David, I collected all of their dues while at Lake Houston and forwarded their payments to AOMCI Membership Chairman, Ed Elliott, via my personal PayPal account on that Saturday night. On the following Monday, I mailed their Texas Chapter dues to chapter secretary, Chip Rathbun. Accordingly, I am notifying everyone that these individuals are now paid members of our international organization as well as our local chapter for the next two years. Please consider making an effort to welcome these valuable additions into our local chapter. Recent reports from AOMCI have indicated a continuing membership decline over the past few years, and I would like to be sure that the Texas Chapter is doing everything possible to retain our members.
One of our newer members, David Reyna from the Tomball area, attended the Lake Houston meet for the first time. He brought three of his outboards from his collection which included a 1950-51 Evinrude Sportwin 3.3hp, a 1948 Johnson TD-20 5hp, and a 1953 Johnson JW-10 3hp. David is an ASE Certified Technician, so bringing these little motors back to life will not be much of a challenge for him. An invited guest, Jeff Kubosh of South Houston, was also attending the Lake Houston meet for the first time. If any of our members need welding help on one of their outboards, Jeff told me a story about his work on the San Jacinto Monument that required aluminum welding on top of the monument where he had to secure the base of the star that sits on top. If the State of Texas trusts Jeff to weld on a coveted piece of Texas history, I am sure he can handle anything that we can come up with. I am not sure about anyone else, but you could not get me on top of that monument in the first place, much less work on it while up there.
John and Cindy Slator made the trip from New Ulm again this year. As usual, John brought along a lot of neat items for sale. Two of the more notable motors he brought were a nice Mercury KG-7 Super Ten Hurricane and a rather rare copper gas tank Evinrude Sportsman. He had quite a few motor stands and other things in the bed of his truck. I did not get an opportunity to check with John to see if he sold the items he brought, but I would be surprised if someone did not snap up those particular two outboards. I really was personally interested in the Evinrude; however, my wife, Cyndi, came with me to this meet and I had promised to behave myself. So, I did not take anything new home with me on this weekend. My loss was probably another member’s gain.
Morten and Martha Lovstad brought their Keels and Wheels award winning flats skiff. I saw several people go out for a run in Morten’s homemade boat. Powered by a new 2016 Evinrude 60hp outboard, his flats skiff has been a star at several meets this year. It has attracted a lot of attention since being displayed at the Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show in January. Many people find it hard to believe that the boat is made completely of wood, and is painted rather than being made of reinforced plastic like most modern craft today.
Others bringing boats included Bob Macaluso and Sandra Simmons with Bob’s nicely restored 1957 Yellow Jacket outboard runabout powered by a beautiful 1959 Mercury Mark 55A. Ed Slominski brought his 1956 Lyman powered by its Mercury Mark 58 outboard with intent to sale his old friend. The last I heard was that David Coffey, Jr. is now the new owner of that boat. As mentioned earlier, John Platou brought his grandson’s Mini-most hydro powered by its 1984 Evinrude 6HP. It demonstrates what a grandson and grandfather can build together in their spare time.
As customary at this particular meet, Texas Chapter first lady, Susan Finn, and chapter president, Adam Finn, brought everything necessary to make a great noontime meal for all who attended. For a contribution of only $5.00, members were treated to Hebrew National hotdogs grilled on John Platou’s grill. Susan provided her homemade chili to add to the hotdogs, and if one desired to do so, a Frito-chili pie could be fashioned with little or no effort. Of course, all of the other usual hotdog fixings were available as well as watermelon and some cookies for dessert. Nobody left hungry and the only complaint I overheard was of several individuals being too full. While Adam was grilling the hotdogs and not watching too carefully, I tried to sneak his almost perfect 1960 Evinrude Ducktwin into the back of my Suburban. Unfortunately, Cyndi caught me and made me put it back. Oh well, maybe next time.
Others in attendance included the following members and/or guests: Jerry Ball, David and Sylvia Coffey, Sr., Gary Keeney, John Lowey, Erik Platou and his children Grant (3) and Nora (2), Louis Rothermel, Royce Strickland, and Robert Taylor. Our sincere thanks is given to all who took time to come see us at this year’s Lake Houston gathering and we hope to see you all back again next summer. Be sure to invite your family and friends to join in the fun. I do not think you will be disappointed.