Take a ride on a Cherup

Take a ride on Lake Dora with Matthew Wise at the helm of Cherup.

What happens at the boat show.......

With preparations underway all over the country, The Lake Dora Boat show grows ever closer. The last coats of varnish are going on, trailer hubs are being greased. Some of you are unfogging your motors. Others are adjusting the floats in the carb for just the right mixture. Check, double check.

As the days tick away, one can’t help but wonder…..why do we go to the show? Why do we put forth all this effort keeping these old boats afloat and take all of this time to make sure these classics look so nice? Why do we gather together on the north shore of Lake Dora, year after year? 

There is a different reason for each person, just like each one of these antique boats is different from the next. No two are the same. Each is beautifully unique in its own way. Just like the people. Every show brings new people and new stories. Swapping stories is a great way to launch new friendships. The next thing you know, you and your new friends are riding around in your old boat. Feeling the sun on your face, hearing the steady pulsing of that flathead under the hatches, cutting through the water. Smiling. Sharing.

So, that’s my reason. Mixing the old with new. Together, they make the best stuff on earth..or in this case, on water.

Here are some highlights from the 2014 show -

Cherup nestled at the docks.

Im going to be the captain of this boat someday. The quiet of Saturday morning. After the storm, Woodyboater doing what he does best!

"You want me to do what?"

Fueling up for the shoot. M-Fine along for the ride

The director.

Uno!

Gotta' love the hardware! Thanks to ACBS Sunnnyland Chapter and Woodyboater!

Your boat, sir.

Woodyboater Salutes Cherup With Best of Show at Sunnyland 2014

WHO KNEW?

I decided about 4 months ago that I wanted to go back to Lake Dora.

 Cherup had such a great time reception in 11'. She sat there on her trailer. In that golden triangle boat display, making up the third leg, along side the Thayer and a beautiful Riva.



We told the story of her, the boatworks and our family.

The Sunnyland Chapter rewarded her with an award, "ONE OF A KIND"!  show up with a boat and win an award. How do you top that?


Showing up with the same boat and same story was not going to do it.

What about putting her in the water?

I knew that if I was going to go, it was going to a water display not a land display. Been there done that. The docks or bust, or the bottom, of the lake that is.

I spent 3 years going over the boat. I knew what needed to be done. And not, as well. New wiring, motor work, fuel system, strut log and stuffing box, prop, bilge pump.......No varnish, no bilge paint, no upholstery.



Seems totally backwards for a boat show but that is the way it is was going to be.

I am going to the show in my 90 year old jalopy boat.

All of the hard work, the late nights, the trips to the store. The late nights, the trips to the store. Yes I repeated that one. More than 3 or 4 times. The long ride to New Jersey in a box the carbs took to VanNess Engineering with the tach cable and water pump. The multiple trips to the boat ramp to soak her and run the motor.

A boat that was put in a warehouse 38 years ago is going to float, right?  It should run, right?

I had faith.






I have got to say, This boat is sweet! She has great lines and rides like a cadallac! Eats chop for breakfast!!

Hey Woodyboater!! You want a ride?

Screen Shot From WoodyBoater!!! Hail to The Queen!!

Mechanical Progress

Did I mention that this boat is 90 years old? And it might need some work? Or a lot of my time? Well all of the above are true!!!

But I am equal to the task.

Here are a few of the things I have been working on.

The stern light needed rewiring and a new bulb socket. I added a quick disconnect to make the cover easier to put on.

Every classic wood runabout needs an Ensign.

Add a new wire to the switch up front and.....wa la!! Light!!!!

This hole in the transom is where the gas tank was vented, I will enlarge it from 5/8" to 3/4" to accommodate larger vent fitting. Although I hate to drill on this wood, I am using an existing whole.

The fitting installed.

I know this not a round gas tank, but it is 30+ years old and has never had gas in it. That counts, right?

Gas filler neck.

The shaft log was in need of some attention!

Dirty and greasy!!

 Check out this old gasket.

Someone hand me a scraper.

The old stuffing.

The new hose for the connection to the shaft log.

Ready for the water!!

Here is my brother, Joe, getting the old MN numbers off.

The Cherup's Rats Nest

Progress!!!

I have finally begun to make this wonderful time capsule ready for the water. 

I have studied. I have read. I have listened. I have thought about it......time and time again.

I have been over this boat, inside and out.

Where to begin? Well, this is a good as any system.

Under the dash, on the footboard is a hatch that leads to the bow. Crawling into the bow, a mess of wires.

I pulled out the old wiring harness. Not much of a harness. Just a lot of wires comprising a system that got the job done.

This was about 20 hours of work. Well worth it. Seeing the lights on was very satisfying.

Looking towards the stern. WOW! What a mess. So many wires!!

The Bilge.  An oily, wiry mess!!  Notice the flywheel on the Phantom 125 in background.

I sent this pictures to Tom Coen. He recalls these lights well, saying "That spot light guided us home on many occasions."

Bilge Rat!!

The spotlight shines again! New light socket and rewire. I utilized sections of the original wiring in visible locations.

Wires from the 20's. Can you say hazardous!!!!

Here is what I found in the bow, no navigation light fixture and loose wiring.

Re-dressed and ready to go.

Ready to go. Clean lens and bright 6 volt light.

New wires. Rerouted and stapled. 

Now all of the wires run outside of the hatch opening. Taking a cue from the original system, I used leather straps and nails for staples to secure the wiring in place.

Organized!!

Next will be the stern light and wire.