Blair
Paddle, Row, Sail(7boats)
I live in Corvallis Oregon. I bought a 74 Chestnut 17' prospector from a gentleman here in town that was in his 80's. He bought it new and could no longer care for it. I'm an active Scout leader (be prepared and do your best) and had a copy of Jerry Stelmok's great book. This fellow interviewed me to guage my worthiness to be the new owner. His asking price was only $500 and after the interview he dropped his price to $400, threw in two Sawyer featherlight beautiful paddles, an cute little Sears electric motor and a Raleigh 18 speed mountain bike. I am one lucky guy. Many months later it is completely rebuilt, recanvased and my wife says it is too pretty to sell.
Well, no good turn goes unpunished. A Scout leader friend saw the chestnut and approached me to help in surveying his grandfather's 1950 OT (S# 154105) 15' square stern. It was sitting upside down under a tarp, an a trailer, under a tree. Many layers of paint, a bit of rot in the top 4" of the transom, no cracked or broken ribs (actually really sound with many layers of varnish). Honest, I gave him my best thoughts since I had only done one before, and told him about the wonderful people I had contacted for advice on the Chestnut. I estimated a couple of grand to have it rebuilt professionally. Well, he looked at me and stated that that was not going happen on his watch, and that I could have the boat, the trailer, AND, the 1952-54 Johnson Sea Horse 3HP motor for $350. This was the amount he wanted to buy his wonderful wife a mandolin for Christmas. So, I know how lucky I am. And I know that there are a bunch of other great people that are members of WHCA and I figure it is time I join, share, and learn from all of you. So, if you have advice, I'm here to take it. I claim no special skills except to be able to talk a cat out of his skin, turn them into kitten britches and sell them to the highest bidder. And, one more thing...I bought this Old Town with $10 that I bet on a quarter machine at one of the Native American casino's. That $10 turned into $303 which it tucked into my wallet for my boating fund. My wife thinks I'm crazy as this is the 7th boat in my current fleet. Best Regards, Blair Pomeroy, Corvallis Oregon.
Well, no good turn goes unpunished. A Scout leader friend saw the chestnut and approached me to help in surveying his grandfather's 1950 OT (S# 154105) 15' square stern. It was sitting upside down under a tarp, an a trailer, under a tree. Many layers of paint, a bit of rot in the top 4" of the transom, no cracked or broken ribs (actually really sound with many layers of varnish). Honest, I gave him my best thoughts since I had only done one before, and told him about the wonderful people I had contacted for advice on the Chestnut. I estimated a couple of grand to have it rebuilt professionally. Well, he looked at me and stated that that was not going happen on his watch, and that I could have the boat, the trailer, AND, the 1952-54 Johnson Sea Horse 3HP motor for $350. This was the amount he wanted to buy his wonderful wife a mandolin for Christmas. So, I know how lucky I am. And I know that there are a bunch of other great people that are members of WHCA and I figure it is time I join, share, and learn from all of you. So, if you have advice, I'm here to take it. I claim no special skills except to be able to talk a cat out of his skin, turn them into kitten britches and sell them to the highest bidder. And, one more thing...I bought this Old Town with $10 that I bet on a quarter machine at one of the Native American casino's. That $10 turned into $303 which it tucked into my wallet for my boating fund. My wife thinks I'm crazy as this is the 7th boat in my current fleet. Best Regards, Blair Pomeroy, Corvallis Oregon.
