Winter Activities

Waterskiing... The bigest problem we have here is it gets dark early.. Come to San Diego and we can get out any Thursday or Friday.

Glamis Sand Dunes, Sand rails, quads, adult beverages.

I play poker, I'm betting my star.

That's funny, that's exactly what happened to the previous owner. That's how I came into such a good deal.

Other than some deer hunting and duck hunting, I'm doing a make over of my '84 SN.
1. new upholstery
2. shine up the hull (including wet sanding if needed)
3. redo the graphics

It's been raining so much I haven't even started to get started.

Yeah, working on the boats is a winter habit whether they need it or not.I have been skiing in FL and I must admit, the gator thing was always on my mind.I did try to act cool like it didn't bother me but I think those FL boys knew I was a chickensh*t.

For years I have contemplated building a boat. I may get started this winter. It will be a long (many years, I am guessing) process as time and money are limited. I want to build a 40s-50s vintage california crackerbox racer out of plywood. Glen-L plans, If you have ever heard of that outfit. Should be fun.

75 Tique wrote: For years I have contemplated building a boat. I may get started this winter. It will be a long (many years, I am guessing) process as time and money are limited. I want to build a 40s-50s vintage california crackerbox racer out of plywood. Glen-L plans, If you have ever heard of that outfit. Should be fun.

75Tique - I have a friend who has been racing here in the west for over 40 years. He's former president of the Pacific Power Boat Racing Association, and continues as a race official. He goes to nearly every cracker box race on the west coast. I'm sure we could hook you up with some of the top cracker box builders and racers should you decide to build it.

BKH

Living in MA and being old and wimpy, the season is very short. Two years ago, we were exploring waterfront real estate in NC two days after Christmas. A guy was out on the lake skiing. Admittedly, it was chilly and he had a full suit on, but still, we bought the house the next day. Still live up north, but in a few more years....

Brian,

You would not believe how scarce crackerboxes are out here. None to be found. There is one that an antique boat shop in northern NY built several years ago that has been for sale for at least 6 years. Nice, but a surface drive (odd) and way over my budget (15000). I got wind of an old wreck of a hull that a guy tried to auction off at a show in NH. No takers so I called him. He ended up selling the hull to someone for $150, more along how I was thinking. He told me I didnt miss out on much, that it would probably be easier and cheaper starting from scratch rather than restoring his. But that's about it. People out east are more into Jersey speed skiffs, but I don't care for the lines of those at all. I'm suprised how little info is on the web about Crackerboxes, even from out your way. So off I go. I am guessing your friend is pretty hard core and if I told him I was looking to go the cheap route, (like an old recycled motor and tranny for 300 bucks kind of cheap) rather than a tricked out $10,000 engine, he would laugh at me, but I will keep the contact in mind. Thanks.

Found this one out in CA.

http://www.hares.net/scott/boat/boat.htm

Don't know if he still has it or not, or what the price is/was. Doesn't really matter since its so far away. Plus, even though it will take me forever, I think it will be a kick to build, plus satisfying, plus a good father son project.

When I was a kid, a teenager in town made a boat similar to a crackerbox, only real difference was a small cockpit ahead of the engine. The first few years, the thing screamed, as he had straight pipes coming up off the engine. The old folks hated it. The kids loved it. Fairly small lake, took about 10 seconds to get from one end to the other. He finally put thru-transom exhaust on it. Looked real nice too, stained wood with white trim around the transom, along the gunnels. I have a feeling that would be my color scheme. Legend had it that it saw the bottom of the lake a few times. Hit a can and sunk, trim plates out of wack, sunk. It was that old boat that got me interested in wood speed boats (I must have been 10-12 at the time). Never did anything about it...till now...maybe....

Brian, just curious. Do you ever see old ones advertised out your way? Just wondering what the prices are like. Plus I'm not looking for a racing calibre boat, just recreation.