Wolfeboro 2005

By Paul Nowack

Boats started to arrive Thursday afternoon. No one wanted to miss the welcome party at the Wolftrap. As usual we all had a great time. Some probably drank two much, but we were within walking distance to our motel. Three Skiffs (River Rat, Hops A Lot and Heartbeat) made it into the water in enough time to spend a hour testing on Wolfeboro Bay. It was a good thing we did.

Friday morning came very early. There was a 8:00 am drivers meeting. The show opened with about 8 Vintage Triple Cockpits on the race course. They stayed in a tight group and they were awesome. Then it was the Hydro's. They ranged from small outboards to the 7 liters. Then our turn. There were 6 Skiffs. Double Trouble, Domino, Miss Align, Hops A Lot, River Rat and Heartbeat.

We had agreed to take one parade lap, then try and stay grouped.  One lap wasn't enough. By the time I left the Dock area, a few of the Skiffs were half way around the 1 mile course. We did finally form a group and things went well. The second time out Bill Mehan in Miss Align and myself agreed to run side by side, Bill taking the inside. What's interesting is how much faster I had to run around the turns. I was keeping a distance of about 50 feet and I had to gain about 10 mph in the turn to stay even with Bill. In the next heat we changed positions and he stayed about 50 plus feet from me. I had to slow down about 10 mph so we would come out of the turn side by side.  It was almost boring, but from the comments we received, we looked good.

Early Friday afternoon I was in Heatbeat at the docks prior to our 2nd heat, when a women named Linda, ask me if she could ask me some questions. I said sure. It turned out that in a round about way she was asking which of the Skiffs were the fastest. I said they all ran about the same, WHY? She informed me that she had just joined the museum for a ride, and she wanted a "good one". I promised her I would give her one. Sandy and I were on the course together for a 3rd time that day, but this time with new Museum members. We gave them both a great ride. I understand Linda was heard telling her husband, that a Skiff was their next boat.

Friday night was the Cruise on the Winni Bell. Another great time. I was sent for drinks and while I was standing in line, I heard something familiar. I turned around and there was Heartbeat streaking across the room. It turned out the Museum had hired a photographer to take videos that day and they were showing a sample on a wide screen TV. From that point on all the men were watching the video, over and over again.

Saturday, Bill Mehan suggested we take two parade laps, that worked much better. It gave all of us a chance to group up. Again, time was allotted after the show for two heats to take new museum members for rides in the boats of their choice.  In those heats were 4 Skiffs and 2 Gold Cup Boats.   One lesson you learn real quick is, either stay ahead of the Gold Cups or way behind. It's surprising how big of a hole they leave.

Saturday night the Vintage Boat Museum threw their party. During that party there was a Auction. One of the items auctioned  was the sample Video and Video containing all the raw footage. My wife Donna was the high bidder, what a gal. All in all we had a great time.

As much as I love driving a Skiff, especially in with a group of Skiffs, Donna and I love the people we have met at these vintage events. Besides being interesting, they are fun, and into life.

Oh, I almost forgot, Bill and Donnie  in Obsession, were the winners of the Golden Snorkel. They were proud.