John Platou, Jeff Workman and Adam Finn prepared a fine wet meet event for us all. The sunny weather was welcome and not too hot. There were several shady areas to rest under. The Indian Shores Community Center building provided shelter as well as clean indoor restrooms. Extra tables and chairs were made available to eat without holding your plate in your lap. This is a great venue location for our club and we could easily accommodate a much larger group. There is plenty of space for families to assemble.
Dock space was more than adequate and every boat could tie up to the dock or bulkhead. We had a smaller turnout than last year with 24+ people including 14 members, family and guests along with 6 member boats. Last year, we held this meet the weekend before Fathers Day weekend and attracted more folks – a consideration for next year.
Folks made morning runs at will offering rides to landlubbers.
Adam and Suzie Finn assisted by Clinton Russell served up a tasty lunch of grilled jumbo hotdogs (FYI-Hebrew National) and Suzie Finn’s Excellent Chili. Other fixin’s included tater salad, watermelon, cookies and drinks.
Members I was able to recall included:
David Coffey Jr and Sr arrived in style pulling David Jr’s Arkansas Traveler/Mk30 behind David Sr’s 1953 Ford Convertible Sunliner. This red-on-red combo is powerfully eye-catching to say the least. David Jr spent the most time out on the Lake running his Traveler and giving rides.
New members John and Karen McRae from Lufkin brought their 1962 Pacific Mariner powered by a ’78 Johnson 85hp. This red and white beauty is a clean machine and John says it rides and handles great.
Edward and Sheila Bachman ran their awesome Javelin powered Yellow Jacket – a true Texas classic beauty. 
John Platou launched his Cruisers Inc w/ ’60 Evinrude 40hp and gave rides to many folks and kids.
Jeff Workman brought the 1963 Thompson with the ’80 Johnson 40hp that he recently bought from Bruce Miller. Jeff also ran that boat throughout the day and giving rides to all that wanted.
Affiliated ‘guest inboarder’ member Mike Freisel ran his impeccable 1946 Chris Craft 16′ Special Runabout. This completely restored beauty was all done completely by Mike and his brother Dennis. The boat was displayed recently at the 2014 Houston Boat Show as well as frequently at Keels and Wheels.
John and Cindy Slator brought a few OMCs to sell as well as parts, tanks and motor stands. Seems I almost always need something in John’s parts pile.
Other members were present but boatless and/or motorless – Adam’s new project boat needs some more time, Di Johnson took his Feathercraft/Mk-58 up North for the summer, Bob Macaluso’s Crosby is in the shop getting a fresh hull paint job. Louis Rothermel stopped by for a nice visit. Tom Oncken was also in attendance and many reminisces were reminisced. Alan Bischoff, our senior Kids Build a Boat coach was on hand to enjoy the festivities.
For the boatless, there was plenty of friendly gabbing and visiting. Spouses Suzie Johnson, Cindy Slator and Suzie Finn caught up and shared about the recent Lake Catherine meet. It was just a nice day to just sit and relax under the trees.
Brenden Macaluso brought along guests William Hesser and Rebecca Verm, friends from his motorcycle shop business to show them a taste of classic outboarding.
After lunch the boats shoved off to do a boat parade led by John Platou and Jeff Workman. and the land lubbers began to drift on home in mid-afternoon.
Well done and thanks again to John Platou, Jeff Workman, Clinton Russell and Adam and Suzie Finn!!
