Capt. Mark Manes, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter I wrote the bulk of this article before I made a fool out of myself at the Concours in 2025. That’s right, your education and safe boating rep almost had a collision in front of the entire world, right at the bridge at Obexers. I was using another…
By Gene Dangel, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Brothers Bob and Billy Campbell became commercial fisherman after WWII and settled on Catalina Island in 1948 living aboard their boat. Applying knowledge and experience gained in all types of boats navigating the blue waters off of the California coast, taught them valuable lessons about performance, seaworthiness, and functional…
By Mark Manes, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter As a child, I knew that I wanted a job that I would truly enjoy, and I think I found it. Many of you may have no idea what a San Francisco Bar Pilot even is…basically we drive ships for a living! A Marine Pilot is essentially a…
By Lew Dobbins, Northern California Lake Tahoe Chapter Warning: Once again you are entering “The Gear-Head Zone”. Not recommended for the faint of heart. Clean finger nails not guaranteed! Hot Tanking parts: A caustic hot bath that cleans and eats paint, grease sludge etc. This leaves the engine internal and external surfaces almost ready for machine work.…
By Lew Dobbins, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter This article is based on my opinion and experience of dealing with marine engines for way too many years! As we care about protecting our boats, I’m sure that you all made a good job of winterizing your engines and fuel systems. So, let’s take a look at…
By Mark Manes, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter I remember in my childhood driving my father’s 22’ boat from the launch ramp out to Cayuga Lake and having someone yelling at me that I was on the wrong side of the channel. They said something about Port to Port. I remember it, because it was the…
By Don Leutz, Northern California Lake Tahoe Chapter As a boat owner/operator, there are many responsibilities that need to be taken seriously in order to be a safe boater. Planning and preparation will go a long way to providing safe and enjoyable power boating. Responsibility for the safety of the boat and everyone on board,…
By Captain Don Leutz, Norther California Lake Tahoe Chapter Boating season is fully underway and there is nothing more sat- isfying than enjoying a day out on the lake. It’s even better when there are no problems that come up, but just in case it’s always good to try to be prepared. One way to…
By Rob and Maggi Cassell, SoCal Chapter Quite a number of years ago at an ACBS show, we overheard restorers comparing projects in their shops. These can be passionate conversations, and the description of one of the last Chris-Craft 19’ racing runabouts having the deck cut out so she could be turned into a utility/ski…
By Lew Dobbins, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter The Model K and M series are the most commonly used engines built. The number of variations are staggering. The Model K is built on the Hercules QXD and QXLD series of blocks. The Model K was introduced in 1937 as a 221.4 cubic inch six cylinder. It…
By Lew Dobbins, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Most of our club members are familiar with Chris-Craft, Century, Hacker Craft and GarWood boats, being the most common in our boating world. And a few are familiar with some of their engines. But even as common as these engines are, the varied model names, numbers and letters…
By Capt. Mark Manes, Northern California Lake Tahoe Chapter Let’s just say that you have just spent all winter getting your boat ready for the season. Countless hours of sanding, varnishing, cleaning, and painting – and your girl is now finally ready for the show. After easing her gently down the launch ramp into the…