Two Chapters, One Great Day on the C&D Canal

By Carmen DeLeo, Mid-Atlantic Chapter Another enjoyable outing is in the books for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, this time shared with the fine members and friends of our neighboring Chesapeake Bay Chapter. For some of our members, the day began around 7:00 AM on July 11, with a little more than an hour’s drive to Chesapeake…

Details

Dan Arena, the Dusenberg W-24 and Notre Dame

By Dan Arena, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Dan Arena was born in 1916 in Oakland, California near Lake Merritt. Dan and his younger brother, Gene, made the Lake as well as their father’s nearby Golden Gate Winery their personal playground during their adolescence. They had constant access to water and the woodshop within the winery.…

Details

The History and Evolution of Metal Fasteners in Boatbuilding

By Bill Calliet, Smith Mountain Lake Chapter Metal fasteners have played a critical role in boatbuilding for centuries, evolving alongside advances in metallurgy, woodworking, and marine  engineering. From hand-forged iron nails used in ancient vessels to today’s precision-manufactured stainless steel screws and silicon bronze bolts, the choice of fastener has always been influenced by strength,…

Details

What Happens When Avgas is Used in Boats?

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)…

Details

Safety First! “Flotsam”

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…

Details