By Lee Chase, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Over the years, I have heard old boat and car enthusiasts lament the banning of lead compounds in automotive fuel. The lead compounds increased the fuel octane rating and was credited with lubricating properties which helped to preserve valves. While automobile fuel is lead free, aviation fuel (avgas)…
By Captain Don Leutz, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Technically, the term “Flotsam” has a specific meaning under maritime law. “Flotsam” is defined as debris in the water that was not deliberately thrown overboard, often as a result of a shipwreck or accident. For the purposes of this article, and for the lack of a better term, I am going…
By Joe Roberts, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Millie or as she was known as for the first 55 plus years of her life, as just the unnamed family Chris-Craft boat. My father-in-law Ray bought her new in 1958, so the family could have a boat when they were at their lake cabin in Clearlake, California.…
By Ted Lyman, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Green Hornet is our second Philbrick; the first, Born Again, was restored by my father and me in 1980 — the year we joined ACBS. It was during the follow-up restoration of Born Again in Don Philbrick’s Oakland shop in 1990 that Green Hornet fell into our ownership.…
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…