New England Reunion Update

   Well guys,just got back from the milton reunion,had a great time,met alot of nice people,saw some awesome boats and even had a few frosty ones.Just wanted to be the first to say "thank you"to everyone involved in making this happen.It's cool to be able to put the names with the faces finally.I'm sure you'll see a new thread with pictures and highlights shortly,I'll leave it to Keith to get that going,& what can you say about him,he's just a damn nice guy.Thanks again!

      Mike     

   

Just a quick thanks to Jeff and others for helping me "free" and load Ken's boat on Saturday. After I was done with Mr. NH Marine Patrol, you guys had moved on and I never had a chance to say Thanks. I am sure Ken will be posting, but Patrcia and himself are fine. And from the look of the boat, it faired way better then it should have. I really enjoyed myself and look forward to perhaps meeting up with some of you at a latter time. If anyone needs someone to ski/board with- let me know, I am in the Dover NH area!

What a great weekend. We couldn't have asked for better weather. And a very special thanks to New England Correct Craft. Gina Warner and her staff really came through for us.

We spent Saturday at NECC with all the boats lined up. They all looked great. Congratulations to Steve Nichols (Creamsicle) for winning Best of Show with his sweet red 1966 Mustang. NECC provided trophies for all participants and Correct Craft provide prizes for the category winners.

Saturday afternoon we hit the lake and had a few problems. The most significant was Ken (Nautique2001) ran ground while pulling his cousin skiing. He had beaten the rest of us to the lake and was enjoy the calm water close to shore on the other end of the lake when he ran up on a rock pile that was just six inches below the water surface. 30 mph to dead stop. I didn’t see it but I hear the entire boat was out of the water, sitting on the skegs and rudder. Unfortunately, Ken slammed into the dash and windshield. He spent about 5 hrs. in the hospital with a concussion and lacerated knees. His wife, sitting in the observer's bench facing backwards, suffered whiplash. I spoke to him on Sunday morning his sprits where very high. “We'll be fine”, he said. “Tell everyone to have a great time".

It took ten guys from the Milton Fire Department to get the boat off the rocks. Surprising, the boat is in very good shape. The skegs are bent, not broken, the prop is done, but the shaft and rudder seemed okay upon first inspection. Of course, there are plenty of scratches in the hull but nothing major. They towed the boat back accross the lake and up the river and it didn’t take on any water.

Sunday was another perfect weather day. And after I got the call from Ken and let everyone know he was alright, we relaxed and had a great time. The sand bar was a perfect spot and, like Green Lake, we spent the day anchored in about 3 feet of water, checking out everyone’s boats, swimming and enjoying the sun.

In the afternoon Dale (Duck soup) pulled out, what appeared to be, a home made ski cira 1960. It was a flat bottomed, wooden slalom ski that had about a seven inch keel on the bottom! Jeff (Kostis) was the first to try it out, followed by myself and Brad (Barracuda). It was a blast. We finally wrapped things up about 6:00 pm.

Ken did such a great job setting this up, it was a shame he wasn't able to join us on Sunday. We all look forward to next year.

I will be posting all 200+ photos later tonght (including shots of Ken's boat).


The boat lined up at NECC


A row of 2001's


The group!


In the water on Sunday


In the water on Sunday


Owning the sand bar on Milton Three Ponds

Thanks Keith. How can we say thanks anymore to you than we already have? You started ALL of this for us. JBEAR'S biggest regret in all this? Not being able to meet you in person and shack your hand!

I just got off the phone with Ken (Nautique2001) and he seems to be doing well inspite of it all. I am sure he would enjoy some e-mail from all of us.

JEFF KOSTIS; if you are reading this, you better call me tonite!


john

I agree with Mojo. What a nightmare. Pics look great (especially that hot red boat)- I'm looking forward to more! I think it's amazing how successful both of these events were. Can't wait till next year.

Unbelievable about Ken!
Best wishes to him and all his crew.
Hope this tragedy can turn into a comedy as soon as possible (as Jimmy Buffet says) and his story lives on as a legend at reunions for years to come.
Sounds like you need to be careful on these ponds? I'm hoping to get a water-front camp site on the pond for next year's vacation and spend a week out there.
Hey Keith - Post next years date asap and I'll try to book accordingly (or just have to make the trip a couple of times!
)

Again, thanks for your thoughts. I had a great time with all of you at NECC. Excellent group of friends. I hope to gather again informally by the end of this season. Even if we gather over lunch or dinner, that's fine too.

My wife, Patricia and cousin Eric were very thrilled to meet all of you. It wasn't just about boats, it was about meeting new friends. Thanks again for the fun time. Next year, it will only get better.

Ken

Dave,

The marker was mostly black with a little white on the bottom. About twenty seconds prior, a boat went through the same area but zipped through were there's 10' of water. I was basically following his pattern. We just happen to hit the wrong spot of that opening. Can you believe black indicates rocks? Bright red or orange usually gets my attention. It's going to take a fatality for somebody to spend $50-$100 to mark the area better. I'm ready to donate them money myself to prevent this.

Ken

Here's a shot of Keith skiing on that old wooden ski behind Jeff's Mustang:

Nautique2001 wrote: Dave, Can you believe black indicates rocks? Bright red or orange usually gets my attention. It's going to take a fatality for somebody to spend $50-$100 to mark the area better. I'm ready to donate them money myself to prevent this. Ken

NECC won't bring their demo boats into that part of the lake because of all the rocks. They don't want people unfamiliar with the lake to rely on the markings - too dangerous.

Because of this, we didn't use the demo boat as much as I would have liked. Something we need to figure out next year.

Keith, dont mention it- glad you enjoyed the pull    I was going to see if you wanted to drive it on sunday, but unfortunately we ran out of time.

Brad, I tried to return your email but it came back as undeliverable. Shoot me another one with your current address: TRBenj at gmail.com

Mojoman wrote: Sorry to hear that Keith...The demo's were a big part of the Green Lake success.. I'm sure you'll work through that for next year... Moj'

It was too bad. Especially since Richard (demo boat driver) went out of his way to be there for us.

Unlike Green Lake where the demo boat was at the sand bar and people when out and came back to the 'party', at Milton the demo boat was about 15 mins. away from the sand bar. No one wanted to leave.

Next year, we have to either talk them into bring the demo boat to the sand bar or schedule something late on Sat. or first thing on Sun. (like 6:00 am).

Thanks, Alan. I understand Keith has a better lake in mind next year. I'll just look forward to a brighter 2007 Reunion. Saturday at NECC was really fun. Great people.

Ken

     Hello guys, I have to leave a quick post here before I retire tonight. Ken, everyone owes you 100% credit as well as Keith for a great time. Glad to hear youre doing well, as we were all worried. I agree about the buoys being not visible.
     Its hard to name all the great people I met. Time sure flew by!! My mind is still trying to remember everyone face, name and boat as I am a bit slow in that department!!! It would be cool to have a Photo of the boat with the name as well as a face so I can go "oh yeah" I remember now.
     Mike, sorry bout the rough road. I wanrned you it may be bumpy. Center road is fine, just a mile or so of TM Wentworth. I flew down and back in less than 20 minutes going that way! I had no trouble with the old Mustang needing restraping, and 10 mph??? I cant drive that slow!! Sure was a great time though!!

                                  Jeff....

jbear, 05 210, and everyone,
Thank you for the kind words. I couldn't be happier with both reunions. They went very well and considering they where the 1st, very well attended.

With out Ken, Alan and Dave, they wouldn't have happened however. I've said it before but they deserve the credit for the reunions.

What will be great is making each reunion better year after year. There was a lot learned by this first time out. I really look forward to next year.

... and finally meeting jbear

-Keith