Smith Mountain Lake Chapter Fall Workshop

By John Seal, SML Chapter
Unless otherwise noted, photo credits: John Seal

The Smith Mountain Lake Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society recently held their annual fall workshop at the home of Alan and Jean Frederick.  The 50 members and guests in attendance learned from subject matter experts about 3 topics that are interesting to antique boat owners and enthusiasts. 

Our first presenter was Gary Lowell, owner of Lowell Boats in Greensboro, NC, one of the largest wooden boat building and restoration shops in the country.  Gary also has extensive experience as an Accredited Marine Surveyor and he explained the process of surveying both antique and newer boats and why it is money well spent.   

Bill Caillet, our retiring chapter President, gave us a hands-on demonstration of rebuilding AC Delco fuel pumps that were used on almost all Hercules engines, the most popular powerplants in wooden Chris-Craft boats. 

 

By far the most exciting event of our day, was “rolling over” a rather large wooden boat being scratch built by our host, Alan Frederick.  Double Dare Ya is a one-of-a-kind, 36-foot long, double cockpit, torpedo stern, mahogany runabout.  This milestone event culminates his multi-year construction of the hull, which we also celebrated with the traditional whiskey plank toast.  

Several SML ACBS members and guests, plus professionals Gary Lowell and his shop foreman Jack, managed the process of “flipping” the boat, carefully hoisting each side to turn the boat 180 degrees to the upright position, to allow Alan to continue his dream build. A video of the roll process video is below, with video credit to John and Beth Coffman.

https://youtu.be/PbdKneP3REw?si=wEc4AF3tjSb2qWu2

Some of the major tasks ahead of Alan include installing the engine, deck beams, deck boards, wiring, seats, engine and steering controls and countless other “stuff” to complete the project.  There will, of course, be lots of sanding to get the surface perfect and then many coats of varnish to finish it all off.  

Speaking of engines, Double Dare Ya will be powered by a circa 1943 Hall Scott gasoline engine, as used to power landing craft during WWII. The engine weighs over a ton and boasts displacement of 998 cubic inches (16.3L), 275 horsepower and a huge 800-foot pounds of torque. To boost production during WWII, Hall Scott engines were built in Detroit by the Hudson car company and branded Hudson Invader. As a special treat, Alan ran this brute of an engine for a few minutes on the test stand in his shop to make sure our hearts were pounding and to test the hearing of his neighbors.  

Hall Scott Engine Test Video:  Hudson Invader