OACBS President’s Message – October, 2020



Greetings to all my loyal subjects…oh, sorry; I`m not the King, only the President!

Well, it`s been a tough summer for most of us. Here in the Okanagan Valley, not only have we been battling the pandemic (and, I think, doing quite well) we were also dealing with Wildfires. The one on the east side of Skaha Lake was uncomfortably close to us although we were spared from evacuation and the fire crews did a fantastic job of first directing the fire in a less dangerous direction and then getting it under control. Then the smoke arrived from the devastating fires in the western US; it was so thick we could not see the other side of our lake which is less than a kilometre distance. The smoke was with us for the first 2 weeks of September but we’ve had clear conditions since the winds have changed. We are very fortunate compared to those folks in Washington, Oregon, and California where people have lost their lives and entire towns have been burned out; we wish our friends down there speedy mental, physical, and spiritual healing.

Now, onto the summer of vintage boating. It` s been a bit of a bummer as well, although, we have made the best of a bad situation. Obviously all the in-person boat shows and most events have been cancelled for this year including the International show in Coeur D`Alene which many of our members were planning to attend. Fortunately this event has been re-scheduled for next year and with any luck and has spurred many chapters and members to run virtual boat shows which have been a great success and served to scratch the itch of antique and classic boaters.

Personally, I have had an off-season with my stable of boats. Vamanos, my 1924 Dodge Watercar has spent the summer laid up about 10 tantalizing feet from the water. I have been rebuilding an older boat lift for her bed but am still waiting for a few new parts to be fabricated; I am determined to get all this done over the winter and be in place by early Spring so as to enjoy my first retired summer on the lake. Then I will be able to turn my attention to the 1950 Lady Clipper outboard (blocked by Vamanos), the 1934 Greavette (hasn’t been wet since 2009), the `65 Glastron (needs work), the `59 Dorsett San Juan (could be hopeless), and, last but not least, the 1985 Wetbike (have any of you seen one of these? It`ll be in the water next Spring guaranteed!).

My sincere thanks go out to Steve Leslie and Kelly Williamson whose dedication to putting out our newsletter and producing our virtual boat show has really been the life blood of our chapter this year.
Have a safe and happy winter everyone and GOOD LUCK STAYING WARM!!!

Jim Cooper

 Well… Lets be honest. We have no idea whats ahead.

We have spoken with other Chapters and so far most events are TBA. And of course they are in the USA and borders are closed.

Do we start planning events for next summer?

Can we safely gather as a club and go boating? If so when?

The OACBS Board of Directors are watching the situation and will keep you informed.

The OACBS Virtual Boat Show earlier this year was an overwhelming success. We had no idea what to expect when we asked you to attend. It was an idea that worked out so well and gave our small Chapter huge exposure. Not only did we have good participation but we have had a huge attendance.

One of the challenges of posting anything on the internet is getting people to visit the site. We were so fortunate to have Matt Smith feature our show on his Woodyboater site for not one but two days! The ACBS also posted it on their weekly web watch and we still continue to have visitors. In fact, you might want to keep an eye open for the next Rudder issue.

Thank you again for all those that participated, visited, and helped. Special thanks to Matt Smith, and the ACBS.

You can see the show and Woodyboater stories here:

https://www.woodyboater.com/blog/2020/04/26/the-okanagan-okanagang-put-together-virtual-boat-show-today/

https://www.woodyboater.com/blog/2020/04/27/virtual-boat-shows-are-here-to-stay-ish/

https://www.oacbsdrydock.online/spring-2020

Submitted by Steve Leslie

Images courtesy of woodyboater.com

Joy Ride to Albas Falls

Note: Story and photos submitted by Kelly Williamson, a director of the Okanagan ACBS Chapter.

I think 2020 has been a very sad year for antique and classic boaters. All North American shows and events were cancelled. In place of real boating events, there have been a few virtual boat shows which have provided some interesting activities for us to participate in.  Steve Leslie’s OACBS Virtual Boat show was one of the first to come out and was very well received. I think it is really great to be trying to do what we can to stay engaged and hopefully next year there will be opportunities to get the boating community back together without fear.

For various reasons Jenni and I only took the 1954 Chis Craft Custom Sedan out on the water once this year.  We organized ourselves a little staycation and a day of boating adventure on our home lake.  On August 9th we hauled Joy Ride into Salmon Arm and stayed at a nice hotel.  The next day we took a trip up the lake to the Albas Falls site of the Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park. At the site we hiked the scenic 2.2 mile trail loop and got a few pictures of the spectacularly beautiful Albas Falls. We had good fun with our little staycation and got some nice photography that we wanted to share with you.

We have had a home near Salmon Arm for many years but I have never tried using the boating facilities there.   We got a room at Prestige Harbourfront Resort which is adjacent to the city operated boat launch and pier/dock system.  The hotel has been newly renovated and was a comfortable stay.  We checked in later that afternoon and had nice meal on the patio deck overlooking the water.

The next morning we launched Joy Ride at the adjacent boat launch.  There was a newly built trailer parking lot nearby that was very nice to use. We started pretty early in the morning, before there was much demand for the boat ramp. Before long we were headed out on the 40 mile trip up the lake to the Albas Falls site.  We expected the 80 mile round trip and a short scenic hike would be a full day of activity. On the way, we stopped at our home and picked up a picnic lunch from the house for later that day.  This year at the south end of the Shuswap Lake there was a non-toxic algae bloom.  You can clearly see the bright green hue of the water in the picture at our dock. North of our house the rest of the lake was crystal clear as it normally is. I used Google Earth to measure out the distance of our planned trip and included a screen cap showing the route on the map.

It was a gorgeous day to be out for a boat ride.  The sun was shining and it was nice and warm. 

The trip up the lake took about an hour and three quarters.  We averaged about twenty three miles per hour.  There was a light north wind on the way up that created some chop. The lake is long and narrow and when the wind blows in line with the lake the waves can get pretty big pretty quickly. The old sedan has a fairly flat bottom and if the waves are right it can be a pretty rough ride.  We had to slow down a little on the first half the route.  The water was nice and smooth on the Seymour Arm leg (north end) and we were able to cruise at top speed of nearly forty miles per hour.

At the Albas Falls sight there is a nice white sand beach.  There is no dock facility there and to park the boat it is necessary to beach it.  Luckily the beach is fine white sand with no rocks and it is fairly forgiving for the wood bottom.  I threw an anchor off the back to keep the boat from turning with the breeze.  We tied off the bow to a big log on the beach.

There were some people on the beach when we arrived and there was lots of interest in the Sedan.  We spent nearly an hour chatting with people and answering questions.  I think it is a really good idea to entertain questions and give those that are interested some time.  I think people appreciate it and remember a little kindness.

Albas Falls trail system was well marked and isn’t exceptionally difficult. The trail has 320 feet of elevation gain. Jenni and I did the 2.2 mile loop in our flip flops. I did it without stubbing my toe or getting any abrasions but Jenni wasn’t so fortunate.  There are a few rocky sections and some places with slippery gravel and a steep grade.  In hindsight, it probably would have been wiser to take the time to dry our feet and put shoes and socks on. 

The trail was a very scenic and enjoyable walk.

Albas Falls are located near the top of the loop.  There are many good spots to stop and take in the spectacular scenery. Celista Creek runs down from the mountains on the west side of Seymour Arm (Shuswap Lake).  It spill overs ledges and cliffs in several spots creating a breathtaking chain of five cascading waterfalls. I showed four photographs below but they don’t really do it justice.

In total it took about 2 hours to walk the loop.  It was a pretty warm day and we took a few rest stops and photo ops.

At this time of year (mid-August) the water volume flowing in Celista Creek is pretty low.  I would really like to see it in the spring when the steam flow volume is at its peak.  That would be even more stunning. 

By the time we got back to the beach it was mid-afternoon.  We were both tired and hungry from the activity.  It was still nice and sunny and the water was like glass.  We got our camera equipment all packed up and pulled in the anchor and ropes.  We pulled away from the beach and about a mile down the lake we found a quiet place to stop and have our picnic lunch on the boat.

We cruised back south down the Seymour Arm to the Cinnemousun Narrows in the middle of the Shuswap Lake.  This is where all four of the arms of the lake converge.  There are a couple of floating businesses that operate there, the Shark Shack and the Sea Store. 

The Shark Shack is a restaurant/bar that is always quite busy.  Normally we would have planned to stop there and have lunch and a beer or two.  We had been there earlier in the year and found that with Covid19 restrictions on seating capacity that the wait times were excessively long. This trip up the lake, we packed a picnic lunch instead.  Having a picnic lunch with Jenni on Joy Ride on a nice calm sunny afternoon was a very enjoyable alternative.

The Sedan only has a 100 litre fuel tank which is pretty small for a boat that weighs nearly five thousand pounds.  I was a little concerned about having enough fuel to make the last leg of the trip so we stopped at the Sea Store to fuel up.

We made the rest of the trip back to Salmon arm in about an hour and trailered Joy Ride right away.  I think we were lucky and the boat ramp facility was pretty quiet.  I think it can be pretty busy sometimes based on how many boat trailers I saw in the parking lot. We made if home for supper just before it got dark.

Going to Salmon Arm and making the Albas Falls trip was a really great staycation. We had a wonderful time and saw some amazing sights.  It was definitely a full day event. We did an 80 mile round trip and we got to see a lot of the Lake.  It was later in the evening before we got Joy Ride stored away .Things went smoothly with the boat and for the most part the weather was awesome.  Everywhere we stopped we were approached by curious people and had opportunities to chat.  I think this is one of my favorite things about getting out with the 1954 Chris Craft Custom Sedan

Sadly, this was the only Antique and Classic boat activity we will get in this year.  From chatting with a few of my boat friends this was a common theme.  I know some folks that didn’t take their boats out at all.  The Covid19 pandemic has turned out to be devastating problem for many.  For Jenni and I, one of the worst things about it was the cancellation of most normal social activities.  I really miss the boat shows and doing things with our Antique and Classic boat friends.

This Albas Falls tour would be really nice to do as a group.  I think it would be a grand adventure for Antique and Classic boaters that don’t normally boat in the Shuswap.  Perhaps if there is enough interest, I could organize a group trip next year or when we are passed the Covid19 scare?  I would love to get an email if you think you would be interested in this sort of a group activity.  Please do if you would like further information in the spring.  I would happily organize it.

kelvin.williamson@shaw.ca

A few weekends ago we spent a day Boating with fellow chapter members and good friends Marty Brown and Kylie Brundell. This was our second time exploring the Fraser river as some will remember last year when we put in at Maple Ridge and travelled as far as New Westminster.

This time we towed our boats to the north west point of Richmond adjacent to the airport, to launch from McDonald Park. Our plan was to explore the north arm of the Fraser. A long drive From Mission for sure, but the launch was nice, easy, and had plenty of parking. 

I will admit that I experience a lot of anxiety about going on a busy river with a 68 year old boat. I’m not what you would call a seasoned boater and you definitely have to be sharp when when it comes to the river. The changing tides make the river current very dynamic. Floating logs and debris are another hazard that you continually have to look for. And those tug boats have a wake like you wouldn’t believe!

We headed up the north arm taking us under the Arthur Lang and Oak St bridges, around Mitchell Island to Shelter Island marina where we had a bite at Tugboat Annie’s. A nice gentleman  named Wayne let us tie up in a vacant slip. Everyone likes old woodies so we do get lucky on moorage from time to time.

The food at Annie’s was great and it was nice to see them following all the Covid protocols. The marina has a couple of nice old wood cruisers that we looked at before we left. You think our little our little boats can take some work? These are a huge undertaking.

Although the river is lined with log booms and the spill overs  of industry, I was surprised to see a lot of houseboats tucked away in little sloughs. A very cool way of life! In fact I like the way industry and residential developments are combined on this ever changing river. 

We headed on toward New Westminster Quay and cruised in front of Pier Park, waving at the people enjoying the park. As I write this I realize that that was the last time I saw it before it was destroyed by fire. Another victim of 2020.

We the moved on to the south arm to the area around the River Rock casino. Lots to see around there and a beehive of boating activity. After checking the time and our fuel, we decided not to go any farther and head back toward McDonald Park.

We saw a nice little sandy point just past the park, where we decided to beach the boats and enjoy some sunshine and some food and beverages. Having lived in the lower mainland all my life this is such a beautiful way to explore our own back yard!

Thanks again for a great day Marty & Kylie! Can’t wait to explore some more!

Story submitted by Steve Leslie

 This summer has been a challenge like no other for all of us. We have all had to adjust the way we do things including how we enjoy our classic boats. Although we haven’t been able to enjoy the great shows and events that the ACBS provides we hope you have still managed to get out and go boating.

Please enjoy the photos that our fellow club members have sent in of their adventures this summer.

Dev and Wendy Fraser sent us these photos where they spent the night out on the "Shepherd" down by Rattlesnake Island for their 42nd Anniversary.  A neighbour’s boat had a drone and took these pictures, which turned out pretty well.

(Happy Anniversary Dev and Wendy! I love that Shepherd!)

Bruce and Reta Wilson were out getting the wrinkles out of their flag!

The Konecny ladies had a great summer cruising Hatzic lake in their fiberglassic!

Tyson, Marty, Davis, and myself got up to Stave lake for a great day on the beach.

Hope everyone enjoyed their summer and found time to get out there for a boat ride!

Stay Safe everyone!