News

News Update

May 10, 2011

...Last News Update

Some have asked what the Mississippi is up to here in Muscatine. I took some pictures this morning, May 4th, so just passing them on. Have a great summer!

As you can see above the Mississippi is still shown to be right at flood stage for the weekend the boat show was suppose to take place. The rollers are still out of the water and will be for at least a couple of more weeks if we are lucky.

We aren't the only ones to have to cancel.

The St Louis Drag Boat Association also had to cancel their Poplar Bluff, MO. Drag boat races for May 21st & 22nd, due to rising water and safety issues.

There are other great events below that would appreciate your support this spring and summer as they will be available for your enjoyment. Please see below and have a great time!

Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout!

May 7

Hovercraft Gatherings...

http://www.hovercraft.com/content/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=203

June 11

The UMPBA will be having their first Drag Boat Race of the season at Little Wall Lake by Jewell, IA. It is a great time with a nice setting. Notice they also have a BBQ, Car Show, and all part of Jewell Jubilee Days. Go to http://www.umpba.org/jewell.html for all the information you need and contact information on cost and room rates.

July 16

The Switzercraft Regatta will be on Saturday July 16, at the BIG BASIN MARINA in Channahon Illinois along the Illinois Waterway. There is info on yahoo and at http://www.freewebs.com/switzercraftreunionregattas/ or anyone can contact me at Tlord91154@aol.com .

July 16

16th Annual Antique & Classic Watercraft Show hosted by the Clear Lake Iowa Chapter of the ACBS located in Clear Lake Iowa, at the downtown seawall on July 16th, 2011. All wood, aluminum and fiberglass classic boats are welcome. The 'Finned Fiberglassics' are going to be featured this year. For more information, contact Paul Morris at clearlakechapter@mchsi.com 515.243.1845 or visit http://www.clearlakeacbs.org Clear Lake ACBS show, Clear Lake, IA .

Aug 5 & 6

Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com

Sept. 16, 17, 18

Quincy, IL on the Mississippi River Quincy Classic Boat & Outboard Show on Sept. 16-18, just one week prior to the ACBS International Show in Geneva. We think it will present a great opportunity for people to take in another great show on their way to Geneva and want to get the word out. We're looking into a river cruise from Hannibal, MO to Quincy, IL (about 15 miles) on Friday afternoon that would include a tour of Samuel Clemons' (Mark Twain's) boyhood hometown. The cruise will include joining up with the fleet of many large classic cruisers that will be making their way from the St. Louis area to the Quincy Show and passing through Lock & Dam 22 on the Mississippi River, just downstream of Quincy. Another great feature of this event (besides all of the many antique and classic boats and outboards) is the BBQ Dinner at the Island Club on Saturday evening. The Island Club is located about 4 miles upstream from Quincy on an island that's accessible only by boat. Great fun! The show concludes with a boat parade in Quincy Bay at 2:00 pm on Sunday. This year the show will be co hosted by the Mississippi Valley Chapter, ACBS, the Quincy Boat Club and the AOMCI. Come join the fun! For more information, contact Rob Ebbing at 217-257-7400 or rob@djparty.com or Todd Young at 217-242-7283 oldboattodd@comcast.net

Sept 23 - 24

September 23rd and 24th - International ACBS Boat Show that will be in Lake Geneva, WI. this year. This event goes around to different sites annually and it is a thrill for the Blackhawk Chapter to have the opportunity to be the host club this year. For more information visit their website at http://www.blackhawkacbs.com.

Blackhawk Chapter Hosts 2011 International Boat Show

The Antique and Classic Boat Society, announces that more than 100 of the top ranked and prized classic/vintage boats in all classes from the entire US and Canada are expected to attend the Annual International Antique and Classic Boat show Sept. 23 & 24, 2011 on the shores of Lake Geneva, WI. Sponsored by the Antique and Classic Boat Society, Inc. with it's Blackhawk Chapter, the judged event will take place Friday & Saturday at The Abbey Resort, Fontana, WI. All classes of antique and classic boats will be represented; judges will use the official ACBS judging format. In addition, special awards including the coveted best of show, for both Best Preserved and Best Restored boats of the year will be given. With its impressive combination of large attendance, 10,000 visitors, and natural beauty, this ACBS show has become a premier antique and classic boat show of North America. This year's show will include a boat parade at 4 pm on Saturday, and continued events on Sunday. A large vendor area including local artisans will provide additional attraction.

April 26, 2011

...News Update

For the first time in 5 years, the 2011 event will have to be cancelled. With a combination of high water levels and the time expected before it will leave the park, we had to make a call. We had people registered from states that are a distance, and in fairness to them, we have to make a call. We have never been this close in time to the event and at the same time have these high water levels. It would take a miracle to be able to have the race boats with the Mississippi floating clean at this point. Right now we are at 21.78 feet and the Lock and Dam does not put the puts the rollers back down until we are at 9.5 feet. To know that our flood level is 16 feet gives you an idea of where we are at. In 2008, the Mississippi was up the week before the event, but it had been down prior and was not in the park as high and as long.

Today I visited with the City regarding how long the park can be underwater before the grass area is lost. The City Park Department stated about a week is all that the grass areas can tolerate as it continues to get covered by sediment each day it is underwater. The park has been underwater for a week already and will be underwater this week and also into next week, if we do not have any more rain. It is currently raining. Both buildings are also currently underwater. If we cannot have an event where the park is not fully utilized and run the racing boats after last year, we will come back in a future date when we can.

Below are multiple pictures of the flood of 2011 taken today, here in Muscatine where we have our event.

The picture above is the Muscatine Power Boat Club clubhouse. Normally we park around the clubhouse for our meetings. What you see is a basement and now you can see it is about 18 inches from getting back into the upper floor.

This is Mississippi Drive where you normally drive your cars and trucks to get to the park. The park is to the left. Record height is 25' and we are at 21.78'.

Almost deep enough to have the Clammer Statue actually float his boat! We were at 9.5' in March and now 21.78'. It has only changed .15' in the last 24hrs. That means the water level is 13' above the normal level. Mother Nature has not cooperated this year to say the least!

Hovercraft Boys Progress...

The 5th Grade Boys are coming right along on their hovercraft and next week will be doing final sanding and painting in school colors, mounting the motor, controls, and placing the skirt. They will have to wait until we can get the water levels down to try it out, but they will definitely have it out before the end of school.

Special thanks to Muscatine Lawn and Power for the donation of the Honda motor the hovercraft will be sporting in a couple of weeks!

In Closing...

I want to thank all of you for supporting the event in Muscatine. It has been amazing the support we have had each year from our community, corporations, and businesses that allowed us to be able to have a free event for all. Last year we did not do an official sponsorship drive and we still had enough to have a successful show. Thanks to them, our participants are able to come for free, and enjoy an event that hopefully has provided fun for all in attendance. You will never know how much I appreciate your support that made this event possible, and your friendships developed along the way. After this year we are going to take a break. There will not be a "That Was Then, This Is Now" 2012 edition. We believe that for an event to be successful and keep good attendance, it should become a bi-annual event. It works for Clayton, New York and it is no secret that people get tired of going to the same events year after year without having something new or different to do and seeing the same things.

We are going to have an appreciation dinner for all the volunteers and sponsors we have had for the event since it began 5 years ago. I will announce the date and send an e-mail to all of our volunteers, the City, and County Support services. We will watch the Mississippi do what it is going to do and are hoping for Saturday evening, May 14th, that we can at least get the Riverview Center cleaned to use the upstairs if possible. Stay tuned, we will have to leave it up to Mother Nature!

I am working with others to see what we can do for the Cardboard Boats and Gutterboats that are local to the area that are being built. I will contact you when something is put together.

Thank you for the memories!

Dave and Diane Moritz

There are other great events below that would appreciate your support this spring and summer as they will be available for your enjoyment this summer.

Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout!

May 7

Hovercraft Gatherings...

http://www.hovercraft.com/content/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=203

June 11

July 16

July 16

Aug 5 & 6

Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com

Sept. 16, 17, 18

Sept 23 - 24

Blackhawk Chapter Hosts 2011 International Boat Show

April 18, 2011

...News Update
Well here is the park in Muscatine today. The Mississippi is at it again. Above is the Riverview Center where we have our registration. If you look at the green entrance doors at the lower level, the highest level we have had is to the almost to the top of the doors.
Here is where the boats park in the green space upstream from the Riverview Center.
Above is the harbor where the docks normally are located. The docks are now floating higher than the park.
Now if you want to follow along with water levels here is how. The first website is the Muscatine Boat Club's website and they have a river level table updated. http://muscatineboatclub.com/community.html The next one is for the Army Corp of Engineers. Go to the Rock Island area on the home page, click, and then on next page click the Mississippi Basin area and look for Mississippi River at Muscatine, Iowa. http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/new/layout.cfm Ok, here is how to know where the water is in our park by looking at the current river levels at the websites above and then comparing them to the water levels table below.

27.5'	-	Water reaches the top of the Muscatine flood wall.
25'	-	Water reaches the top of the Bay Island and Drury levees.
24'	-	Water is at the front steps of the Hotel Muscatine and on Mississippi Drive at Pine Street.
23.5'	-	Water affects Mississippi Drive at Chestnut Street...as well as industries in New Boston.
22.5'	-	Water affects Mississippi Drive at Iowa Street.
22'	-	Water affects the lowest downtown businesses...Mississippi Drive at Sycamore Street and 5th Street at Mad Creek.
21.5'	-	Water affects Mississippi Drive at Cedar Street.
21'	-	Riverside Park is entirely underwater to railroad tracks.
20.5'	-	Water affects Mississippi Drive at Mulberry Street.
20'	-	Water affects 5th Street at the Mad Creek Bridge as well as the Pearl City Station.
19.5'	-	Water affects industries just north of the flood wall along Mad Creek.
19'	-	Water affects Riverview Center in Park. Water affects Mississippi Drive at Walnut Street.
18'	-	Water affects most of the Riverside Park parking lot.
16'	-	Water affects the lower portion of the Riverside Park parking lot.

Today we are sitting at 19.8' and a crest forecast at 22 on Thursday or Friday. That is without taking into consideration the precipitation that is forecasted.

We will have to see in the next week how long the park stays under water, precipitation received, and projected water levels. The issue is if the park stays underwater to long the green space in the park will be covered with sediment and we will not be able to use it.

So for now we are on a hold pattern to see what Mother Nature wants to do.

...Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout!

July 16

The Switzercraft Regatta will be on Saturday July 16, at the BIG BASIN MARINA in Channahon Illinois along the Illinois Waterway. There is info on yahoo and at www.freewebs.com/switzercraftreunionregattas/ or anyone can contact me at Tlord91154@aol.com.

July 16

16th Annual Antique & Classic Watercraft Show hosted by the Clear Lake Iowa Chapter of the ACBS located in Clear Lake Iowa, at the downtown seawall on July 16th, 2011. All wood, aluminum and fiberglass classic boats are welcome. The 'Finned Fiberglassics' are going to be featured this year. For more information, contact Paul Morris at clearlakechapter@mchsi.com 515.243.1845 or visit www.clearlakeacbs.org Clear Lake ACBS show, Clear Lake, IA

Aug 5 & 6

Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com

Sept 16 - 18

Quincy Classic Boat & Outboard Show on Sept. 16-18, just one week prior to the ACBS International Show in Geneva. We think it will present a great opportunity for people to take in another great show on their way to Geneva and want to get the word out. We're looking into a river cruise from Hannibal, MO to Quincy, IL (about 15 miles) on Friday afternoon that would include a tour of Samuel Clemons' (Mark Twain's) boyhood hometown. The cruise will include joining up with the fleet of many large classic cruisers that will be making their way from the St. Louis area to the Quincy Show and passing through Lock & Dam 22 on the Mississippi River, just downstream of Quincy. Another great feature of this event (besides all of the many antique and classic boats and outboards) is the BBQ Dinner at the Island Club on Saturday evening. The Island Club is located about 4 miles upstream from Quincy on an island that's accessible only by boat. Great fun! The show concludes with a boat parade in Quincy Bay at 2:00 pm on Sunday. This year the show will be co hosted by the Mississippi Valley Chapter, ACBS, the Quincy Boat Club and the AOMCI. Come join the fun! For more information, contact Rob Ebbing at 217-257-7400 or rob@djparty.com or Todd Young at 217-242-7283 oldboattodd@comcast.net

Sept 23 - 24

In Closing

Well as you can see, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature!" I remember that from the 60s' commercial, but how true. There is not a thing we can do when the weather throws a curve ball. Next week we will have a better feel for where we are at with this situation. If the water stays in the park too long we will have to cancel. I promise we will not wait until the last minute if we feel that cancelling the event is in the best interest for all. We will not want to take a chance with race boats and driftwood floating in the water. If the Mississippi goes down, stays down, and the Lock and Dam rollers are lowered, than we are good to go. Just too early to tell?

With fingers crossed . . . .

Dave

April 11, 2011

...News Update There are a few things that should always come first in your life and it begins with family. The past few months we have had some personal family issues with my wife's father and it continues, but things are in check at this time. We are now back and ready to make this event rock and roll! The entries are coming in and we are looking for a great year. We will be having News Update all along now until the event. The Race Boats are Coming! Ron Taylor will be bringing his new boat, shown above, this year along with many others to be part of the APBA race boats that are back and we are looking at some great boats. Ron came last year with Happy Budda just to help promote the event even though we did not have the hydros on the Mississippi last year due to the economy. There will be APBA Vintage Hydros along Grand National Hydros, flat bottoms, and many others as the make their initial test on the Mississippi for this year's racing season. Jay Armstrong who brings his Jersey Speed Skiff has started to reconstruct this unlimited above and will have it next year. This is U 36. That's the Miss US IV, a 57 Lauterbach (the first unlimited Henry built The IV is a former George Simon boat that he had at the same time as the Miss U.S. 2 (a Staudecker) that did better right out of the box than did the U.S. IV, so the IV never got the attention and fine tuning the other boat received. The hull is in Doug Morin's shop in Bay City and he and his guys will accomplish the rebuilding of the hull and deck there. The engine is in Omaha. Jay tore it down this past weekend and it's looking marvelous inside. It's a true P38 engine which the book says will make 1600 horse in stock configuration which is the way they will run it. Oh, and the colors? They were all red with some white trim on the 2 and the 4 boats. Plan on this unlimited at Muscatine for a future event. Another one of the new boats in attendance this year is Harry Holst with the "Heat Wave" Hydroplane. Below is some information on this race boat. "HEATWAVE"by Vance Whiteman, N.A.

The "HEATWAVE" is a 280 cubic inch, 164HP Ford SB powered, "E" class cabover hydroplane designed and hand-crafted using Sitka Spruce and marine plywood by Vance Whiteman of (North West Indiana Inboard Racing). It has an overall length of 17' 8" with an 8' beam. We know that this hydroplane participated in a lot of races, in the Portsmouth & Hillsboro, Ohio area. Originally it raced as the "HEATWAVE" E-160 by Lynn Weddel from Decatur, Illinois in the 80's, and later by Steve Lancaster from Burlington, KY as "The River Rat" E-69, in the early 90's. It was also owned by Doug Hale, Bill McTague of Batavia, OH, and Joe Marshall of Knoxville, TN. We purchased it in October of 2005 from Joe Marshall.

Hull restoration completed by the original designer and builder Vance Whiteman involved complete disassembly, inspection and replacement of all required structural components including bottom and top sheeting, salvaging an assortment of original wood, cowlings and hardware, rebuilding the boat back to its initial status as the "HEATWAVE".

Vance Whiteman by Elizabeth Wolfe - "Vance has been around boat racing longer than most of us have been alive! Vance is located in Lafayette, IN and used to work for Rodi Yachts re-building wood boats (before fiberglass). He has worked on some Unlimited and countless inboard hulls. In fact, if you walk around the pits with him…he can point but every other boat and the work he has done on it. Vance is one of the special people that really make boat racing a wonderful sport to participate in. Thank you Vance for all of your hard work for me and everyone else!" Vance worked for Rodi Boats in Chicago; they also had marinas in Florida. Rodi was a boat dealer for Chris Craft in the Chicago area, they would purchase bare/unfinished boats and complete them including installing various options. Eventually Vance, a Naval Architect went to work for Chris Craft in Pompano, Florida designing and building prototypes. Over the years Vance did several jobs repairing boats including for Jim McCormack, legendary driver of the MISS MADISON, featured in the Madison hydroplane movie. "Jim had tore up the starboard side of his boat, an "E" class Farmer in a race at the Miami Stadium and asked me if I could fix it for a race being held in 3 months at Tampa". Vance repaired many boats, all types and makes; he saw design flaws and weak characteristics. With all the knowledge and experience he obtained from repairing damaged boats he decided he could build a better boat of his own design. Some of the other boats who have verbally committed are Jay Marshall, Phil Mitchell, Ken Warby, The "World's Fastest Man on Water" from Australia, The Wolfe Family from Chicago with their Grand National Hydro, Pete Devlin, and many others.
Upper Mississippi "Flood Possible" degraded! Barring any abnormal amounts of rains in the next month we should be good to go for the 2011, 5th Anniversary of the event. In the past couple of weeks the flood predictions have dropped as lower temps slowed the thaw up north and the Mississippi has kept up with letting the water go down stream. The following 2 websites have river levels updated daily that you can check to see how we are doing. If anything happens where we do have water in the park we will be sure to update at least a week before the event. The first website is the Muscatine Boat Club's website and they have a river level table updated. http://muscatineboatclub.com/community.html The next one is for the Army Corp of Engineers. Go to the Rock Island area on the home page, click, and then on next page click the Mississippi Basin area and look for Mississippi River at Muscatine, Iowa. Believe me, . . . in 2008 I learned this website very well!!! http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/new/layout.cfm We are looking good to go so follow along and come and have a great time! This week as we get back into the saddle we will be looking at who is having what for entertainment during the event and will feature more of who is coming.
Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout! July 16 The Switzercraft Regatta will be on Saturday July 16, at the BIG BASIN MARINA in Channahon Illinois along the Illinois Waterway. There is info on yahoo and at www.freewebs.com/switzercraftreunionregattas/ or anyone can contact me at Tlord91154@aol.com. July 16 16th Annual Antique & Classic Watercraft Show hosted by the Clear Lake Iowa Chapter of the ACBS located in Clear Lake Iowa, at the downtown seawall on July 16th, 2011. All wood, aluminum and fiberglass classic boats are welcome. The 'Finned Fiberglassics' are going to be featured this year. For more information, contact Paul Morris at clearlakechapter@mchsi.com 515.243.1845 or visit www.clearlakeacbs.org Clear Lake ACBS show, Clear Lake, IA Aug 5 & 6 Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com Sept 16 - 18 Quincy Classic Boat & Outboard Show on Sept. 16-18, just one week prior to the ACBS International Show in Geneva. We think it will present a great opportunity for people to take in another great show on their way to Geneva and want to get the word out. We're looking into a river cruise from Hannibal, MO to Quincy, IL (about 15 miles) on Friday afternoon that would include a tour of Samuel Clemons' (Mark Twain's) boyhood hometown. The cruise will include joining up with the fleet of many large classic cruisers that will be making their way from the St. Louis area to the Quincy Show and passing through Lock & Dam 22 on the Mississippi River, just downstream of Quincy. Another great feature of this event (besides all of the many antique and classic boats and outboards) is the BBQ Dinner at the Island Club on Saturday evening. The Island Club is located about 4 miles upstream from Quincy on an island that's accessible only by boat. Great fun! The show concludes with a boat parade in Quincy Bay at 2:00 pm on Sunday. This year the show will be co hosted by the Mississippi Valley Chapter, ACBS, the Quincy Boat Club and the AOMCI. Come join the fun! For more information, contact Rob Ebbing at 217-257-7400 or rob@djparty.com or Todd Young at 217-242-7283 oldboattodd@comcast.net Sept 23 - 24 September 23rd and 24th - International ACBS Boat Show that will be in Lake Geneva, WI. this year. This event goes around to different sites annually and it is a thrill for the Blackhawk Chapter to have the opportunity to be the host club this year. For more information visit their website at http://www.blackhawkacbs.com.
In Closing We are really looking forward to seeing all of you! All of you have been touched in one way or another by cancer and a loved one, as it really doesn't really care who it affects. Having my father-in-law deal with this, makes you realize how important the people around you are. In 5 years we have met so many great people. That is why we have events like this, to bring people together, We never know from year to year who will be here, and who may not so we appreciate the opportunity to be able to provide you a central location to get together at events like this. Also in the future we are looking at going to a bi-annual event to always keep it fresh. It works for Clayton, NY. so we thought we will also try it. It keeps things fresh, and there have been other events that are also now at the start of the year, so maybe we can work out a schedule in a couple of years to work out timing with other events. The next News Update will follow shortly with more event updates. Get your registrations in now and make sure you go to the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com for Updated Events Schedule, reduced room rates, maps, past galleries, etc etc, and to register.
Till next time . . . . Dave

March 21, 2011

National News Says Upper Mississippi "Flood Possible" What else is new?

Every year in our area we have the same headline. Every year I also get numerous e-mails and people asking if it is going to flood this year. The answer is . . . yes. Before you get the wrong idea, the above and below pictures are the park in 2008. Let me explain how the Mississippi is affected in the spring. Upper Minnesota and Wisconsin snows as melt in the north and raise the water level usually the last couple of weeks in March and then the first couple of weeks in April it starts to recede. The threat to our May event is the spring rains. Normal spring rains will be able to be handled by the Mississippi. Rains like we had in 2008 where we received rain by the "inches" each time vs. "fractions of inches" are what makes the difference. In 2008, the weekend before the event we had 9 inches of rain over the weekend, and had 5 inches of rain the weekend before that. The Mississippi was up that year already and the additional 14 inches of rain in 2 weeks was just too much. We had to cancel the race boats, but still had a great show. After the show we had more rain in the multiple inch amounts. On Father's Day we had water over the main road next to the park so it was worse than in the spring as shown in these images.

Having said that, we who live and work on the Mississippi take things in stride as we are used to the ever changing levels. Will it flood during the event, who knows? At this time we are good to go for the best event we have ever had. If the water causes a flood and we cannot have the event we will let you know a week ahead of time. With the Lock and Dam system on the Mississippi they can control rise of the water to about 2 feet per day, dependant on a few factors. We will know by the Saturday before the event if the water levels at that time will jeopardize the events on the Mississippi or the use of the park. If we have normal spring rains, we will have great water.

Time to build those Cardboard Boats and here is how!

Remember I had said we are having the Menasha Packaging Co. attempt to break the World Record with the largest Cardboard Boat at this year's event. You also can make a cardboard boat to compete in this year's regatta and have a chance at fame and fortune. This event has become one of the crowd favorites. Many have taken the risk as they construct what they feel will defy all odds with their ability to construct a boat of cardboard and paddle their way to the chance at being the 2011Team or Individual Champion.

In the past the Mississippi Brew has won the title of adult team champion and the Columbus Junction Church youth group took the youth team honors. Last year the competition was stiff and times from year to year are better and better. So are the designs. In saying that, we still enjoy seeing the Titanics of the world who come out for the entertainment of all. But if you want to build a competing racer you need to do a little research and here is the secret of how . . . . .

http://www.capecoralregatta.com/Index/BoatBuilding

I found this website and it has what you need and exactly how to build a competitive boat.

Check this website out as last year some of the boats were based after this design and won. They are not that bad to build and I challenge any of you to make one and compete as they will fit in your pick up bed and could win you prize money, and most importantly the title of 2011 Mississippi National Cardboard Boat Regatta Champion. See the rules and regulations on the website and register now. Anybody can do this from the general public to corporations, or youth groups.

Gutterboat National Materials are ready.

I need to clarify what exactly this Gutterboat Nationals is all about. There are not kits per say to make this type of boat. It is up to you to make it work by using your imaginations. Last year was our first year to have this event. Many of you have seen cub scouts do the Gutterboats where they have sails on them. We like motors here and hi-performance is the name of the game, so we substituted the sails with 8,600 RPM motors and send them down a modified gutter at a rate of 1.7 seconds for 20 feet.

I have been asked where to get the materials. Simple, if you live in this area go to the True Value Hardware store in Muscatine on Park Avenue and we have everything there you will need. If you don't live around here than this is what you need and it can be found at most hobby shops or at www.towerhobbies.com

Aristocraft CRE-FA130 electric motor (Motor turns 8600RPM, Cool!) - $2.50 approx.
Small Battery on-off switch - 49 cents
Brass Shaft Log Material K&S Stock #127 - 50 cents
Brass Drive Shaft K&S Stock #1626 - $1.00
Propeller, Dumas Boats #3001 - $1.00
Balsa Wood is up to you what you use.
Small fuel line for gas powered RC planes, boats, or cars. Surgical tubing would also work with a small ID. The tubing is used to couple the motor to the drive shaft and a small piece is also inset into the prop opening for the drive shaft to fit tight on. You only need about and inch at the motor and a quarter inch at the prop.
Battery can be 1 - Standard 9V Alkaline Battery, or up to 6 Type D,C, AA, or AAA batteries.
Max Length 13.8" width 3.5"
That is it! Total cost per boat is less than $10 easily.

No manufactured toy boat bodies or part of accepted. Other than that, your design is up to you including material, shaft angle, etc. If you want to make an air boat, the propeller is limited to one used on a standard .049 gas engine for RC airplanes.

Here is a picture of last year's 1.7 second boat made by a 4th grader on the right and Marion Roskowski's adult winner on the left for some ideas!

He is back this year to defend his title with a new boat plus last year's boat. Also the Mississippi Bend Model Boat Club has bought enough materials this year for 12 boats, there is a group of 5th and 6th graders who are building 15 boats, and I know of other adults out there who are looking for revenge on the younger generation, time will tell. This is how kids learn the principals of simple dc circuits (props going the wrong way), buoyancy, and basic boat building 101 for a low cost, and have a great time in the process.

Hovercrafts are coming!

As you may know if you have been to Muscatine in the past, we are an event that features a little bit of everything. That is what makes it different than any other event. This park in Muscatine is huge and we have never been short of room for all. Bob Windt from Cordova, Illinois is known throughout the world as "The Father of the Hovercraft" and also holds the world record for the fastest hovercraft and also the fastest craft from St Louis to New Orleans and back.

I know I have told you who Bob is, but the links below will show just how interesting he is and how he has helped so many.

http://www.discoverhover.org/aboutdiscoverhover/board.htm
http://www.worldhovercraft.org/windt.htm
http://www.hovercraft.com/lewisandclark/team.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHdTh1eouk
http://www.youtube.com/
http://books.google.com/

For the last link above look for the article called "A V8 in Skirts Beats the Mighty Mississippi" This is a whole Popular Mechanics magazine at the link, but it is a pdf you can go from page to page to read the article.

Now days Bob spends all of his time promoting the use of science in the school systems throughout the area and working with the youth of today.

Notice the hovercraft has an engine in front know as the lift engine and an engine in the back called the thrust engine. The 2 hovercrafts shown are Bob's designs.

Here is Bob with the 5th grade Hovercraft Boys who are building a hovercraft they will have at the event in Muscatine and operate. The hovercraft will be in Wilton school colors of course!

APBA Sanction is sent in.

The APBA Sanction has been sent in and our officials have been set. This year we will have a good mix of race boats back on the water after a year off. There will be drag boats, hydroplanes, Grand National Hydros, OPC and more. More to follow on those who have already registered.

Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout!

July 16

July 16

16th Annual Antique & Classic Watercraft Show hosted by the Clear Lake Iowa Chapter of the ACBS located in Clear Lake Iowa, at the downtown seawall on July 16th, 2011. All wood, aluminum and fiberglass classic boats are welcome. The 'Finned Fiberglassics' are going to be featured this year. For more information, contact Paul Morris at clearlakechapter@mchsi.com 515.243.1845 or visit www.clearlakeacbs.org Clear Lake ACBS show, Clear Lake, IA

Aug 5 & 6

Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com

Sept 16 - 18

Sept 23 - 24

In Closing

Still studying for a test and my wife Diane found out her father has cancer so we have been pretty busy. Everything is on track for a great show and rest assured that the flooding, as stated above, should be long gone as long as the spring rains are not monsoons like in 2008. Get your registrations in now and make sure you go to the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com for Updated Events Schedule, reduced room rates, maps, past galleries, etc etc, and to register.

Till next time . . . .

Dave

March 02, 2011

Keels and Wheels is trademarked.
Event renamed back to original.

I received a telephone call this week and was informed that the phrase, "Keels and Wheels" is trademarked and have been asked to remove it from our event title and advertising use. Therefore we are going back to our original name since "Cars and Boats" is odd to say the least. If your group has also been using the term, "Keels and Wheels" please contact Bob Fuller in Houston, Texas with the Southwest Chapter of the ACBS, and remove the title from your event title. I have seen it used by many different events to represent that both vehicles and boats are welcome and part of the show. Even though we the "Keels and Wheels" portion of our event name is removed, rest assured you are all invited . . vehicles and boats. If you want to go to the true "Keels and Wheels" event go to "Keels and Wheels" Concourse d' Elegance in Seabrook, TX., April 30-May 1, 2011. Please support them if you are in the south central area of the states.

What is a Car Show? It is now a
Cruise In / Show and Shine.

This week I also had brought to my attention that I need to pass on the following clarification of what the term "car show" is compared to a "cruise-in" or "show and shine." Please read e-mail below.

Hi again Dave,
Thanks for the quick Come Back!
So it's the "Events" Tab. I saw that but that's not what was said.. "Schedule Of Events" was said.
No matter anyway. This is not a Car Show, it is a "Cruise In" or "Show and Shine," not a Car Show. I don't drive my car that far to Cruise In's. It's a Class 1.5 Show Car and about a 95 point car. Going to several Car Shows a year lots of folks feel this way not just me.
You folks really need to say "Cruise In" not "Car Show." Saying "Car Show" wastes lots of folks time and yours. Just like now. I can't be the only one who is confused on this..
Have a good one,
John

After receiving the above e-mail I will be changing the car show portion of the event to call it a "Cruise-In / Show and Shine" to clarify the event for other who may be confused on the terminology. If you have also thought the event was judged and had classes, please read the past News Updates and realize this event is for fun only, is not judged, and is for the fun of all.

Now to the news....

A couple of years ago I saw my first Power Cat. Dave Kohlman brought his Power Cat with a double Merc outboard drive. This year we have an entry from Oklahoma. This is Mike Bennett with his 1972 Powercat that he has rebuilt. Here is a photo after the restoration.

Great job on the Power Cat and I hope Dave Kohlman may also make it so they can compare restoring stories. The fiberglass boats are classics same as the wooden boats and we love them!

Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout!

July 16

16th Annual Antique & Classic Watercraft Show hosted by the Clear Lake Iowa Chapter of the ACBS located in Clear Lake Iowa, at the downtown seawall on July 16th, 2011. All wood, aluminum and fiberglass classic boats are welcome. The 'Finned Fiberglassics' are going to be featured this year. For more information, contact Paul Morris at clearlakechapter@mchsi.com 515.243.1845 or visit www.clearlakeacbs.org Clear Lake ACBS show, Clear Lake, IA

Aug 5 & 6

Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com

Sept 16 - 18

Sept 23 - 24

International ACBS Boat Show that will be in Lake Geneva, WI. this year. This event goes around to different sites annually and it is a thrill for the Blackhawk Chapter to have the opportunity to be the host club this year. For more information visit their website at http://www.blackhawkacbs.com.

In Closing

I have been studying for a test for a work certification so I have not produced as many News Updates as in the past. The events are coming along nicely and there will be new first time boats and cars for the event currently under construction. There will also be events for this year that will keep everybody busy that is in the park. After April 9th the News Updates will be every week leading up to the event. Get your registrations in now and make sure you go to the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com for Updated Events Schedule, reduced room rates, maps, past galleries, etc etc, and to register.

Till next time . . . .

Dave

February 14, 2011

Snow Humor

Ok, Enough already. This morning was -15 degrees here, 20 to 30 below wind chill . . . But the warming trend is coming this weekend and spring is around the corner. It is supposed to be up in the 30s' this weekend and 40s' next week. For those of our friends down south who think their 1 or 2 inches are nasty, here is a picture of some of my friends.

So what do we do in the snow when our boats are put away for the winter?
Who said we still can't play with boats.

Check this out click on link below or paste it into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuNt0PUahTY&feature=player_embedded

Cardboard Boat Record

For those of you who were at the event last year there was a cardboard boat that tied for the Adult team division in the Cardboard Boat Regatta and forced a run off. Menasha Packaging in Muscatine is a company that works with other companies to form specialized packaging needs for any product. Last year many of the employees led by Wil Gomez designed and built some racing cardboard boats. About a week before the event Wil contacted me and told me they had a secret boat that was not finished but asked if it would be ok to bring it down for display.

He told me how they started the calculations Check this Pirate Ship out.

Then the record setting boat started construction!

Well the time has come! Menasha is working on the final touches now and on May 14th they will attempt to set a new record for the largest cardboard boat with hopefully 25 people on board. It is so neat that Menasha has also joined into the event and they also provide cardboard to other teams who need cardboard for building their boats for the event. Check out their website at http://www.menashapackaging.com for any of you needing a packaging company for products. This is just one of the reasons to be in Muscatine for the 5th Anniversary.

Hovercraft Boys

This past Sunday 5 boys from the Wilton elementary school went to Bob Windt's Hovercraft shop and craft shop. The boys went over to see what full size hovercrafts look like and to absorb some of Bob's endless knowledge in order to build their hovercraft for the Muscatine event. As they were there, pretty soon there were 4 or 5 more local kids joining in and before long everybody was making Newton Cars and Boats, Gliders, bridges, rocket gliders, balloon hovercrafts and more. Then Bob had them go outside and shoot rocket powered gliders. Here are some pictures and a video link of Bob in an experimental hovercraft.

The picture above is one of Bob's many hovercraft designs in a scaled prototype that he later built into a full size hover craft. Bob starts with foam and RC motors and controls. When Bob likes the design he builds them into a full size hover craft. This model above used 2 motors that were tilted and then a steering linkage tied them together to turn the motors for steering. It works really well and by forcing air under the side wings it causes lift. Click on the link below or copy into a browser to see the actual full size version of the above scaled model on the Mississippi with Bob at the controls. The video utilized one motor and dual props.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SoyFWgZGB0

Here Bob is showing the boys how a lift duct works on a 20' hovercraft he is building at this time. He also showed them how he builds his own lift props and thrust props and carves them used his band saw, and balances them. For more information on some of Bob's hovercraft designs and the Universal Hovercraft Company visit http://www.hovercraft.com/content/

Muscatine Boat Club website

As many of you know the Muscatine Boat Club holds a great hog roast for participants on Friday evening. They have recently started a website at www.muscatineboatshow.com. They also have camping space across the Mississippi from the show site for tent camping and limited amounts of hook ups. They also have one of the nicest views on the Mississippi and there are geese and deer all around the site.

The Boat Club would like to invite people to enjoy the view and they hold breakfast and cookouts once a month, usually the 2nd Saturday of the month. Everyone is invited and anyone can be a member. It is one of the most peaceful settings there is away from the hustle and bustle of the noise of the city. There were over 200 geese at the club site and deer are always in view. Bald Eagles are also one of the many forms of wildlife that is available for photo opportunities.

The website is again http://muscatineboatclub.com/ for upcoming events that are always open to the public. If you are interested in camping at the site during the show feel free to contact the guys at the website or let me know and we will get you taken care of.

Important Hotel Info

Remember that there are reduced room rates on the Maps and Lodging Page of the event website at http://muscatineboatclub.com/. Another important bit of information is the Holiday Inn has now been sold to become a Clarion Inn and the website has been updated to reflect the change.

Upcoming 2011 Midwest Events to Checkout!

July 16

Clear Lake ACBS show, Clear Lake, IA

Aug 5 & 6

Glacier Lake ACBS show, Madison, WI. For more information, contact Mark Walters at (608) 224-0815 or waltswoody@charter.net Andy McCormick at (608) 222-0018 or andy@mccormicklumber.com

Sept 16 - 18

Sept 23 - 24

In Closing

It is that time of year when we have started to visit various clubs with our 2011 event calendars. If you would like us to visit let us know. We went to the Quad City Ford Club this week and are going to the Deer Valley Collectors next week. Get your registrations in for the 2011 event by going to the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and go to the registration page. This event is the first of the season for most people in the Midwest unless you are able to go to Mt Dora. Cost is free to register and we have a great time so register soon. Spring is just about here and we are getting busier and busier each year. With the winter we have had we are ready for May!

Next News Update

Updated Schedule of Events

Power Cat from Tulsa

Cars on the way!

Boat Progress

Till next time . . . .

Dave

January 26, 2011

How did this all get started.

The following will be in the Muscatine News Magazine for the Spring 2011 edition. For those who have not been here before here is a little history on the event to where we are today. Thank you for your support!!!

Five years ago, when my wife and I were at a boat show in Quincy, Illinois, I was asked if we had ever thought about having a classic/antique boat show in Muscatine. I stated that it really wasn't something I had even thought of. A couple of months later, I thought maybe I could ask the City if we might be able to use a small green space in the Riverside Park. That is how it all started. When the word spread that we were having a boat show, someone asked if I was aware that Muscatine was the home of past World Champion Boat Racers, Chap and Ethel Hanley, shown below in Ethel XIX in 1949. This is the same boat that exploded on the Mississippi right across from Pearl City Station in 1949 during a race. All Chap could think about was rescuing the flathead Ford racing motor from the bottom of the Mississippi River to place in a new hydroplane. Matt Fox actually was a Navy diver who had come home and, later that evening, donned a diving helmet to search the bottom of the Mississippi to find the boat and retrieve the motor.

I then learned about other boat racers from Muscatine like Bob Massey, Ed and Earl Rhode, and many others. I also learned they used to have boat racing award banquets in the Muscatine Hotel.

Muscatine was a real hotbed of boat racing. People started coming out of the woodwork telling me stories of the past. Amazing that word travels so fast. Next thing I knew, some friends with race boats from today asked if I had ever thought about having race boats back on the Mississippi again. Until about a couple of months ago, I hadn't even thought about a boat show, let alone race boats!

I asked the City if we could use the green space of the Riverside Park for a small boat show. The City worked with me and at a council meeting approved the request. Less than a month later, I had to go back and ask the City what the possibility was of using the whole park. Well, with new race boats and classic and antique boats, the name, "That Was Then, This Is Now" was born. After the City allowed us to use the whole park, cars and motorcycles started to register and the event just kind of took off. I never knew what I was doing and I am the first to admit that. Maybe ignorance was bliss and people felt sorry for me. But my intentions were, and still are, to have a family event for all. I think they could tell that this might just succeed with their help.

Things worked out that first year. We set up a fund through the Community Foundation of Muscatine and established a non-profit organization. That way all donations and sponsorships are only used for event expenses and must be approved. Five years later, we have survived the Flood of 2008, a great event in 2009, and the recession of 2010. For 2010, we cut back to save cost and didn't have the race boats in attendance or do a formal sponsorship campaign. We still had race boats that came just to show their boats and support the event. It was humbling that they came from as far as they did just to support our event.

We have been fortunate in the past events to have seen many famous racers, including World Champions, come to Muscatine as part of this event and put their boats through their paces as part of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) test sessions. This year, we again have numerous World Champions and World Record Holders who will be attending. They will be signing autographs and there will be open sessions where the pit area will be open for pictures and talking to the drivers.

We have also hosted the Century Boat Club National Show, and seen some very nice wooden boats, fiberglass classics, and aluminum boats. This year we have early entries from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michigan, Louisiana, Ohio, and around the Midwest. Muscatine is lucky to have such a nice park to be able to offer a central location for an event of this type.

As the event continues to grow, the car show side has also grown to the point where we now call the event, "That Was Then, This Is Now" Keels and Wheels. This area is fortunate to have some fine show cars and motorcycles and they are a huge component of the "wheels" part of the event.

The event also has started an interesting competition of youth groups and businesses and companies to win the coveted Cardboard Boat Regatta. Last year's races required a runoff in the adult division between Menasha Packaging Company and the Mississippi Brew. The high school and church youth groups have built boats to take part in this event and go back and forth with the youth championship. Join the fun and build a boat to represent your business, company, or youth group or class and be a part of the fun. There is no cost for any portion of the event to participate thanks to our event sponsors.

In closing, I hope everyone can come out and enjoy what this event has to offer. If I wrote down every name of those who have helped to make this event what it is, I would need many more pages. Let me just say this, the City of Muscatine has been wonderful to work with. After the 2008 flood, the Parks Department and Fire Department worked daily the week before the event, as the water receded each day, to clean and make the park presentable for the many who attend the event, many from out of town. We were not able to run the race boats that year due to the high water conditions, but the show was a success! When we run the race boats we need divers and ambulance and police services on standby. The City, along with the Muscatine Search and Rescue, and the Muscatine Sherriff's Department, helps each year with what is needed. Bob, Brad, and Brett Whitlow also provide their cranes from Bob's Crane Service to help with the race boats. This is very entertaining to all in attendance watching them place the race boats into the water. Tom and Ann Meeker have generously offered participant cruises on the Pearl Button Excursion Boat, John Fox and Sign Pro make event signs, and the list goes on and on. I wish I could thank everyone. I know who all of you are and how you donate services, time, or funds, to make this event possible. I have learned so much about the desire of community betterment by so many. It is pretty neat that through our community involvement and believing in an idea, we have made Muscatine the place to be in May for people from all over the United States. Also, let your employers know that you appreciate their support of this event to provide an event for you to bring your families to and enjoy what the park is suppose to be used for. Without their support, this event would not take place! Thank you and See you in May!

For more information visit www.muscatineboatshow.com for a Schedule of Events, News Updates, and to be a part of the 2011 event. Also check for event 2011 refrigerator calendars at your local retailers to remember where to be, May 13-14, 2011.

December 07, 2010

Winter is here, but it is already
time to start thinking Spring 2011!

Happy New Years 2011! Four months from today the 2011 Muscatine event will be history. The days are getting longer and before you know it spring will be here. For those of you working on projects send me some digital pictures and I will post them to an upcoming News Update as in the past.

One of the project boats is Benny Krebs redoing a Century Coronado who hopes to have it done by the 2011 Muscatine event.

I also just visited the Mississippi Bend Model Boaters in Bettendorf this past Saturday for breakfast. They are coming back this year and we are planning to have a shallow pond this year by their tent for them to demonstrate their scaled boat replicas. They also have a member Richard Klatt who builds some really detailed scaled boats that was featured in the Quad City Times. Please click the link below or copy and past into your favorite search engine to see a video interview and pictures of his scaled classics he has completed.

http://qctimes.com/lifestyles/recreation/water-activities/article_e59963c0-ff2b-11df-90f1-001cc4c03286.html

I also just had a call from the Clinton Car Club who will be back this year as part of the car show portion along with most of the clubs from last year who we will be going to their meetings to invite them to this years event.

For those of you who have never seen a Hovercraft, the event will also have a hovercraft gathering as part of the event. Bill Zang and Bob Windt have posted the event on the Universal Hovercraft website. You are in for a treat if you have never seen them operate and they will both be here. Bill is a hovercraft World Champion along with Shane and Travis Wilkey who are also World Champions. Bob Windt is the designer of most the today's top hovercraft designs and also the World Record holder for the Fastest Hovercraft in the World. After meeting Bob, his most impressive trait is his dedication to the youth of today to make a difference. Shown below is Bob's brother John with a UH-19.

Our News Updates will start coming about every couple of weeks from now until the event which is May 13-15, 2011. If you have any questions feel free to send an e-mail to moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. Here is our preliminary schedule of events at this time and more events are being firmed up leading up to the event.

"2011 Schedule of Events"

May 13th, 2011, Friday

Early bird set up in morning. Classic Boats on Mississippi all day.

Antique/Classic Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum, Boat and Canoe Show.

Antique, Street Rods, British/English, Corvettes, Muscle Car, motorcycles, antique tractor show in Park. Registration at Riverview Center.

Hovercraft National Gathering with hovercrafts on Mississippi.

Early bird boat ride to the Light House in Fairport for lunch.

Participant Informal boat ride through Lock and Dam #16. 2:00 pm.

Muscatine Power Boat Club Hog Roast for the Boat Show Participants. Only place on Mississippi River where the river runs east to west and the sunsets are beautiful!

APBA Drivers and Official Meeting 7:00 pm Pearl City Station

Participant Cocktail Cruse on Pearl Button Excursion Boat 8:00 pm

Bands at downtown establishments

May 14th, 2011, Saturday:

Registration starting at 6:00 am at Riverview Center.

APBA Test and Vintage Hydroplanes Session #1 on Mississippi 8:00 - 12:00 pm. Ken Warby, "World Fastest Man on Water" from Australia and many others will be in attendance. All drivers will be available for pictures and autographs between APBA sessions 1 and 2.

Radio Control Boats, Cars, and Airplanes at Steam Boat landing all day.

Race Car Displays

National Hovercraft Gathering. Bob Windt, the Father of the Hovercraft and World Speed Record Holder for Fastest Hovercraft will be in attendance, along with World Champion Hovercraft Racers for pictures and autographs.

Antique/Classic Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum, Boat and Canoe Show. 8:00am - 8:00pm.

Antique, Street Rods, British/English, Corvettes, Muscle Car, motorcycles, antique tractor show in Park. 8:00am - 8:00pm. Show cars will have access to leave after 3:00 pm from the park show area.

Swap meet 8:00am - 8:00pm.

Participant Informal boat ride through Lock and Dam #16. 9:00 am

2nd Annual Gutter Boat Nationals Racing beginning at 10:00 am ( Area just west of Riverview Center ) Everyone welcome to make a boat and participate.

1st Session of 5th Annual Mississippi Cardboard & Paddle Boat Regatta 12:00pm ( Steamboat Landing ). Register at www.muscatineboatshow.com "Registration" tab. Attempt at breaking record for World's Largest Cardboard Boat.

"Classics Cruz'n the River" Classic Boats on the river and recognition of boats for the crowd from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. Every type of your favorite boats of the past will be on the river for your camera opportunities.

Hovercrafts on Mississippi

2nd Session of 5th Annual Cardboard & Paddle Boat Regatta 3:00pm ( Steamboat Landing )

Vendor displays in park all day.

APBA Test and Vintage Hydroplane Session #2 on Mississippi 4:00 - 8:00 pm.

Participant Cocktail Cruse on Pearl Button Excursion Boat 8:30 pm

Venetian Nights Boat Parade 9:00 pm (Along river bank)

Bands at downtown establishments

May 15th, 2011, Sunday:

APBA Test and Vintage Hydroplane Session #3 on Mississippi 8:00am - 2:00 pm.

Antique/Classic Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum, Boat and Canoe Show. 8:00am - 2:00pm.

Swap meet 8:00am - 2:00pm.( North of boat ramp )

Vendor displays in park.

Event Concludes and Park Secured at 3:00pm.

Hovercrafts on Mississippi

If you would like to show you car, motorcycle, antique/classic boat, race boat, antique tractor, hovercraft, registration is free and the event is non judged. Register at www.muscatineboatshow.com or call 563-260-1970. Any questions feel free to contact Dave Moritz at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com

The above schedule will also include tours of the Art Museum and Button Museum along with other events for the ladies. This will be refined as we move forward.

The website at www.muscatineboatshow.com has all the new 2011 reduced lodging rates posted along with every map you need for your way around Muscatine, the event site, etc. etc.

In the coming weeks we will feature various boats and vehicles coming to the event. Get your registration in now by visiting the website. If you want us to come to your club meeting we will start doing that in the next couple of months. If we came to your clubs last year we will be back this year. If you would like us to visit your club, feel free to contact me at 563 260-1970 and we will put you on the schedule. Remember, this event is free for all to register and to come and be either a spectator or participate.

I would also like you to mark your calendars for September 23rd and 24th for the International ACBS Boat Show that will be in Lake Geneva, Wis. this year. This event goes around to different sites annually and it is a thrill for the Blackhawk Chapter to have the opportunity to be the host club this year. For more information visit their website at http://www.blackhawkacbs.com. They will have information also available at the Muscatine event I am sure, but they would love to have you be a part of this special event.

In closing, if you have an event coming up we are happy to post it for you and you can bring flyers to Muscatine to hand out. We don't take offense in this and it is encouraged. We have to support each other's clubs and events so feel free to contact us and bring some information along!

Also if this is your first News Update and what to know what has happened until now, go to the website News page and all of the News Updates have been posted.

Till next time . . . .

Dave

December 07, 2010

Winter is here, but it is already
time to start thinking Spring 2011!

So the 2010 show and racing seasons are over. People have started to heat their shops and get to work on projects for next year. The 2011 event in Muscatine will be our 5th Anniversary and is shaping up to be our best event ever. In this past 4 years I have had a complete change in outlook about what is important for a successful event. Long story short, it is not about who or what comes for boats, cars, motorcycles, scooters, hovercrafts, etc. etc, but that those that do come have a great time. The rest takes care of itself as long as everybody has a great time. When we first started the event I thought it was all about how big the event was and that we wanted the event to be, one of the best and largest. Isn't that what everybody wants? Every show you go to people say, we had over so many of whatever. Man, was I wrong! It is not the numbers that matters, it is the people that we look forward to seeing again, and again, and making new friendships. Don't get me wrong, the sights and sounds of the event are inspiring, and boy it is neat to fill a park with everything in one place, but to be able to call people by name is like a family reunion in a central location with a common interest.

For those of you who have not been to Muscatine in the past, we treat you all the same. You are ALL welcome and we just enjoy the opportunity to gather a variety of people's pride and joys be it cars, boats, motorcycles, etc. for all to enjoy. We promise to bring you an event that you can just relax and enjoy about anything and everything.

This year as part of this event we will have the following in the park. There will be more information as future News Updates are posted leading up to the event.

1. Antique and Classic Boat Show

2. Custom and Antique Car Show

3. Motorcycle and Scooter Show

4. APBA Race Boat testing session and the Vintage Hydroplanes

5. National Hovercraft Gathering with static and on water displays

6. Bicycle Show

7. Gutterboat Nationals

8. Cardboard Boat Regatta

Participant Cruises on Excursion Boat

Venetian Nights Boat Parade

Muscatine Power Boat Club Hog Roast

Radio Control Boats and Airplanes

Bands

Swap Meet

Vendors

As part of our event we try every year more and more to do things that get both our community and youth involved. My wife teaches 5th and 6th grade science and has a group who meet after school on their own as a science club. After Bob Windt, The Father of the Hovercraft, came to her class all day and introduced them to the power of imagination, education, and hovercrafts, the club now has built 18 motor powered hovercrafts. They are also going to be building a hovercraft thanks to Bob that will be on display at the show this spring.

The Wilton High School Woodworking Class is also building a cedar strip canoe, and many different youth groups and adult groups have started building cardboard boats for the regatta. The houseboats along with others, last year added in a lighted boat parade. Last year we had our 1st Annual Gutterboat Nationals, and anybody can be a part of any of the events. Quickest time of the day was a 4th Grader! His boat went 25' in 1.7 seconds!

That is what makes this an old fashioned fun day in the park and in today's times it is fun to see people get together and work together to build what will be on display.

Now, let me explain the dates. We will advertise the event for May 13th and 14th. The race boats will be on the Mississippi on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th. The reason we will not advertise the event for the 15th is due to past events where people leave early on Sunday to go back home. We understand, but hate to advertise the day and then people come for the event but people have already left by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. We do have the park for our use for the whole weekend and we invite people to stay as long as they like. We will run the race boats for their second day on Sunday from 8:00am to 3:00 pm along with their sessions on Saturday.

If you have never been here before mark your calendars now as we will have everything we have had in the past and more.

Registration will be open by the end of the week and we are ready to welcome in all participants and spectators to the 2011 summer season!

In Closing...

As Mark Twain said, "I remember Muscatine for its sunsets. I have never seen any on either side of the ocean that equaled them." Stunning sunsets and spectacular Mississippi River views reflect Muscatine's sparkling personality.

Let the countdown and registrations begin!

Till next time . . . .
Dave

July 26, 2010

The Muscatine Event dates are set for,
May 13th and 14th, 2011.

We have set the dates for our biggest event yet. In 2011 we are going all out for our 5th Anniversary for the best event ever! We will have racing boats back on the Mississippi, and the World's Fastest Man of Water, Ken Warby from Australia will be here along with the finest boat racers in the nation for testing their race boats before the 2011 season begins.

Now, let me explain the dates. We will advertise the event for May 13th and 14th. The race boats will be on the Mississippi on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th. The reason we will not advertise the event for the 15th is due to past events where people leave early on Sunday to go back home. We understand but hate to advertise the day and then people come for the event but people have left already by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. We do have the park for our use for the whole weekend and we invite people to stay as long as they like. We will run the race boats for their second day on Sunday from 8:00am to 3:00 pm along with their sessions on Saturday.

We will have everybody back along with more cars etc. as this weekend is no longer in conflict with other show dates for boat or car shows, or APBA testing sessions. We will have the race boats, car show, boats, motorcycles, tractors, bicycles, 2nd Annual Gutterboat Nationals, Cardboard Boat Regatta, Venetian Nights Boat parade, food, entertainment.

If you have never been here before mark your calendars now as we will have everything we have had in the past and more . . . We will be advertising this summer at events we go to and posters will be done soon!

Upcoming 2010 Events to Checkout this month!

July 10th weekend!

The following is from George Plamondon with the Blackhawk Chapter of the ACBS for their Chicago River boat trip. Call George for more information.

Chicago River Trippers and those thinking about it,

In couple of weeks, Blackhawk members will be on the Chicago River making their way towards the Columbia Yacht Club for beautiful buffet lunch ($18.00 Tax and Gratuity included). Here are some details and what to expect. We are just under Twenty Boats and fifty plus people for our voyage, growing daily. While we are planning to depart the launch site at about 10:30 pm, come early, a coffee truck will be on there to supply any caffeine needs. Architect Bill Bickford will be on hand to guide us through the city's river canyon. You will quickly come to understand, Bill knows his stuff, and this is no average architect's tour. The boats will regroup at the Canal Street Marina before we proceed towards the locks. A photographer will be on the Michigan Avenue Bridge to record our trip. These photos will be used to promote the next Chicago River Trip on September 20, 2011, which will be a pre-event for The 2011 International Annual Meeting of The Antique and Classic Boat Society in Lake Geneva, WI. If you are planning on coming the night before, The Ambassador East Hotel is giving Blackhawk Members a special rate. Call me directly, I will arrange for your stay at the favorable rate. Bistro Zinc at 1131 N. State St. will be our meeting place for some French comfort food Friday night before. Again, Canal Street Marina has agreed to keep boats over night in a secured parking area, a short distance from our launch site. I will be contacting each of you prior to the trip, to answer any last minute questions. I hope the turnout is beyond expectations, if you haven't signed up yet, give me call or send an email!

Happy Boating and I hope to hear from you!

George Plamondon, Trip Maestro
Phone 312.787.7455
Cell 312.505.5455
Email georgeplamondon@hotmail.com

Link to Map

July 17th weekend!

1.) Event #1

This year the Clear Lake event will feature fiberglass classics, but also all makes and models of wooden and classic boats will be featured. Paul and Marge Morris have been working with the Legendary Surf Ballroom to have the Clear Lake Show coincide with a great 70s' band concert at the Surf Ballroom.

This year as part of the event there will be a concert on Friday evening at the famous Surf Ballroom with one of the best groups of the 70s'. On Friday evening after the gathering in the park, the Surf Ballroom will be presenting the group America with such hits as Ventura Highway, Horse with No Name, Sister Golden Hair, and others. In working with the Surf to help promote this concert and them our show, the historic Surf Ballroom has offered us a behind the stage tour of the Surf Ballroom for our participants on Saturday morning. Also they have graciously provided us a pair of tickets to the America concert at 8:00 PM Friday evening of the boat show. We will have a drawing for the tickets at 7:00 P.M. Friday evening and you have to be in attendance at the band shell at that time to win the tickets.

The Surf Ballroom holds a place in Rock and Roll history as the place known for "The Day the Music Died" as Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper tragically lost their lives after playing their last concert at the Surf Ballroom. After leaving the Surf they boarded a plane at the Clear Lake Airport before the fatal plane crash that took their lives just north of Clear Lake.

The Surf has a narrated tour DVD they have provided us and we will have for viewing on Friday night or Saturday morning in the band shell. Then Saturday morning boat show participants and their families are invited to go over to the famous Surf Ballroom just north of the show site after 9:00 am to see their Hall of Fame and Surf backstage areas where the famous Winter Dance Party of 1959 took place the day the music died. There will be Surf Ballroom souvenirs available.

If you don't win the tickets Friday evening still we encourage you to support the Surf and be a part of this trip back in time by attending the concert Friday evening. The Surf has been decorated as it was in 1959 and is a place everyone has to see in their lifetime. We will also have maps to the plane crash site available for anyone who would like to go.

For more information on the group America go to their website at;
http://www.venturahighway.com/

To receive ticket information for the Surf Ballroom and more information contact;
www.surfballroom.com/

2.) Event #2

Channahon, IL. Is hosting the 8th Annual Switzercraft Reunion at the 24045 Front Street. This is a show and shine for cars and boats and Tom and April Arambasich host this event which has grown to be a good time for all.

Check out the website link below for past events and information for this year's event.

http://switzercraftreunionregattas.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=57732542

July 24th!

26th Annual In Water Boat Show hosted by the Blackhawk Chapter of ACBS located at Famous Freddies in Fox Lake Illinois. The Blackhawk Chapters 26th annual in water show will be held at Famous Freddies in Fox Lake, IL on Meyers Bay from 9am to 3pm. Cruise the Chain of Lakes after the show. For more information, contact Ron Van Horn at 708-347-8951 or Ted Cartner at 847-395-8902

July 25th!

The New Mississippi Riverbend Boat Club will be holding a boat outing in the Quad Cities (Davenport, IA) to go for a leisure ride and then supper at the Captain's Table Restaurant on the Mississippi. Open to everybody who just wants to use their boats to go for supper. Cost, whatever you eat. Could be costly, or if you are on a diet cheap! For more information contact Jim Hayek at 563-940-2420. If you just want to come to the restaurant, feel free to join us there. If you want a ride, contact Jim and we will put you in a boat with someone who has room. That's what we're about! Hope to see you there!

July 21st to July 25th!

One of our Sponsors this year was the Muscatine County Fair. This has become one of the best fair events in the Midwest for a fun County Fair. At the registration for the Muscatine Event in May there were posters and ticket order forms available for this fair that many of you picked up. Well the time is getting closer. This year the Outlaw Tractor Pulling Association will be back on July 21st with a full program of unlimited modified tractors, Pro Farm tractors, unlimited 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive pickups, and semi tractors. The nations finest are here in the heartland. On Saturday evening the IMCA will have their full program of stock cars including late models beginning at 6:00 pm. The other nights will also feature music with a Johnny Cash Tribute band and AC/DC Tribute band. The event finishes off with a Sunday afternoon motorcycle enduro races. If you are in the area, check it out. We will be there for the 21st and 24th to help people we know and to enjoy the fair. See you at the fair!

Check out the schedule at
http://muscatinecountyfair.com/

July 31st!

Annual Wooden Boat Show hosted by the Jerry Dyhrkopp Iowa Great Lakes ACBS Chapter located in Arnolds Park, Iowa. 30th Anniversary Celebration of JDIGL wooden boat show. Dinner and banquet July 30th 5 P.M. Village West Resort. Boat show July 31st 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Guest speaker Chris Smith. For more information, contact Mike Hagan at 605-321-4274 or 712-337-3776.

In Closing...

Have you ever had one of those days you wish you could turn back time and do again? This week I took a half day off from work as it was in the upper 70s' and low humidity. A German restaurant was closing in Moline this weekend that I wanted to take my wife to before it closed. We threw our bicycles in to ride along the Mississippi from Moline to wherever we figured we should turn around and go back after we had lunch. We made it to Port Byron, IL. and I asked my wife Diane if she wanted to go to Cordova as it was another 4 miles. Sounded good to her so we went on the bike path into Cordova. As we pedaled into Cordova, we went by the home of Bob Windt. We had no idea who lived there but there were a couple of hovercrafts around and I was curious. I told my wife let's stop and see who lived there as we left town. A gentleman came out of his shop and introduced himself as Bob Windt. For those of you who don't know what I now know, Bob is a retired aeronautical engineer from McDonnell Douglas and likes to work with the youth of the area. Bob volunteers his time to so many kids that he is like a second father to some. He works everyday almost with kids to make a difference in the life of kids in the area, and many nights he has 5 to 7 kids building rockets, or air or water powered hovercrafts or planes in his basement. Long story short, we arrived at around 3:00 pm and left around 6:00 pm.

In today's times there are heroes to many of us for different reasons. Sometimes what we consider a hero is based on our lifestyles and what we have or don't have. In the life of some kids it is a famous athlete or movie star. For others it is someone who just spends some time to make a difference in the life of a kid. Meet Bob!

Bob doesn't say much about himself. Only in looking at the hovercrafts in his yard and hear him talking about building them do you soon learn he has designed them from scratch including the propellers for thrust, everything! He loves math and science and after learning my wife is a science teacher for 5th and 6th grade he sent us home with model rockets, cars, boats, hovercrafts, and I think he would have even sent us home with his supper if we were hungry! We made a friend and are going to have him come and talk to the kids in my wife's classes. Maybe I am a little old for heroes, but Bob, well he is the closest thing I know for the right reasons!

PS: Bob didn't tell us this, but he holds the World Record for the fastest craft from St Louis to New Orleans on the Mississippi. Was this in a racing boat, cigarette boat, drag boat? Nope, on his homemade hovercraft.

Till next time . . . .
Dave

May 25, 2010

Final 2010 News Update

Show Update
Well, the 2010 event has come and gone and everyone had a great time. There are event pictures to check out. We have started to post them to the website located in the Gallery at www.muscatineboatshow.com.

"Back to the Bahamas" Hog Roast on Friday evening was fun with tiki torches, great food, and Caribbean music.

We had free participant cocktail cruises on the Pearl Button Excursion Boat both Friday and Saturday evening thanks to Tom and Ann Meeker. There was also a Venetian Nights lighted boat parade Saturday evening that was fun for all the local community, and the 1st Annual National Gutter Drag Boat Championships. The Cardboard Boat Regatta stepped up the competition with the Menasha Packaging Company coming in to win with racing style cardboard boats.
The Mississippi Brew again captured 1st Place.
Menasha Packaging was on their way to 1st in both the individual and team competition. They were just edged out by Trent Bush for the individual title. They were also in the lead for the team title until a hard left turn took them off course. Next year they will be back to go for the win! Notice the racing styles they have evolved into.
The individual champion was Trent Bush who built a racing skull out of cardboard that was fast right out of the box!
The Hope Bible Church this year came to win the high school division and did over numerous boats from the Muscatine High School. Each year the competition gets stronger and better boats are being made with more research. The talk of the event was the Menasha Packaging Group's 2011 Cardboard Boat they brought to intimidate their competition. The boat is a Trojan horse Viking ship that is over 30' long and stands close to 12' in height. It came on a special trailer and they hope to have many people on board next year to give it the extra man power needed to bring it home for the win! If someone has a picture of this please forward it to me as I have not seen a picture of it yet, even though I did see it. It is huge!
The vehicle side of the event took a big step with approx 130 cars in attendance. There was a great blend of all kinds of cars from original Model A's to the new 2010 Challengers, smart cars to street rods, muscle cars, and everything in between. The Keels and Wheels definitely works and we can't wait till next year!

The boat side of the event had over 100 boats registered with a good mix of wood, fiberglass, and race boats with many going out and having a good time on the water.
The Knuckle Draggers Scooter Club made an appearance with around 10 reconditioned and original scooters. They came riding into the park with their half helmets, Converse All Stars, and club jackets just like from the past, and it was really cool!
The Quad City Radio Controlled Boat Club was here with a tent full of scaled models of all types of boats and ships. George Turnquist was here early Saturday morning setting up the first part of the display before people started coming to the park. They had scaled versions of every type of boat or ship imaginable. Next year we will also be adding the QC Radio Controlled Sea Plane club. The workmanship rivals some of the finest full size versions.
Charlie Harper brought his bicycle collection out for the first time to any show and had close to 20 of the most unique bicycles you will ever see. Many dated back to the 1800s'.
We also had an original Steam Boat calliope in the park that was made back in Muscatine in the 20s' that played various tunes at different times of the day.
This year's event was just missing the race boats on the water. Next year they will be back, but there were three Jersey Speed Skiffs out on the water playing along with a couple of Swietzercrafts that have been restored and some wooden and fiberglass boats from the show.
There were also a couple of vintage hydroplanes to help to advertise for the return of next year's racing boats. We will have the race boats back for 2011 for the full event with everything this year plus the race boats.
The Gutter Drag Boat event was fun for all with many people making boats and over 20 boats had been made. The computer timing system had a couple of glitches as this was the first year for this event, but we know how to fix it. For 2011, the participants this year know what to do to make the boats fly down the track. The top boat of the day covered the approx 20' of timed track in 2.16 seconds. The boats turn 8,600 RPM and if tuned correctly with proper shaft alignment and weight distribution they fly. The boat on the left was the adult division winner Marion Roskowski from Ohio (2.66 seconds) and on the right was Trey Brisker's youth division winner and top boat of the day at 2.16 seconds. Trey is also my neighbor's grandson who drove the little white event hydro at last year's event. Hopefully, we can guide him into boats with a little more horsepower next year, but he will also be back to defend his Gutter Drag Boat Championship!
In the four years we have done this event, we have met many people whom we have come to know on a first name basis. We enjoy bringing this event to you to have a gathering place that is centrally located. You can see people from shows that you normally don't get to see at your local shows. We have learned that from now on we will advertise the event as a Friday and Saturday event. When the race boats are here next year, we still advertise the event the same way as Friday and Saturday, but we will run the race boats on Saturday and Sunday. We realize the race boats come in for as much water time as possible for testing, so we will have them on the water like we did this past year on Saturday and Sunday. We have learned that some participants who come from a distance are ready to head home by Sunday late morning or early afternoon. We understand this as we also like to be able to get home, put things away, and get ready for work on Monday. We realize that on Sunday morning in the park, people enjoy saying their farewells for another year. People will be able to stay in the park on Sunday as long as they like, but we are never going to say you have to stay until a certain time to make sure the event looks good. In closing, we had a great time this year. This year was probably one of my favorite shows as it had more things going on and involved more community interest. The steps to make this a fun event to attend have started to come together. Next year will be our 5th Anniversary of this event and we are going all out to "Pack the Park." The 2011 "That Was Then, This Is Now" Keels and Wheels will be the place to be next year. The race boats will be back and we are asking that everyone who has been here before for the event returns along with any others you may feel would enjoy this event. We want to give you an event you will never forget! The picture below is from Saturday morning before sunrise on the Mississippi! Until we meet again, thanks for your support of this event and stay tuned for a great 2011 event!

May 11, 2010

News Update #13

It's Showtime!!!
Well it is time to check the bearings on trailers, tune ups on all kinds of wheeled vehicles, and pack the cleaners and wax. It's Showtime! The City crews are cleaning the park, the water fountains have been turned on, the City of Muscatine is getting ready to welcome you to our fine city. It has been interesting to see all of the different things coming to this event for 2010 and we promise you a great time! If you have never been here before here are things to remember before leaving for Muscatine! Your lawn chairs for movie in the park on Saturday evening and just being in the park. Maps from website. Cameras Appetite Boaters bring tools, bumpers for your boats, spare trailer tire, life jackets Wheeled vehicles, your extra points sets, spare tire etc. Motel Room reserved through the website for reduced rates Money Scrapbooks of restorations Desire to have a great time! If all else fails MasterCard covers most of the items above! Please see schedule of events on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com on the "Events" tab. On Friday people start to arrive and set up in the park. The cars and tractors usually come on Saturday morning as Saturday is the big day of the event. Friday the hog roast is for ALL participants and will start at 4:00 pm, Friday afternoon and serve until 8:00 pm. Even if you don't bring your vehicles until Saturday morning, come on over and check out the park and have a great time with all of us. The location is in the park in the Riverview Center. Once you are in the park, just follow your nose. Remember there is also a Friday and Saturday cocktail cruise for all participants on the Pearl Button Excursion boat at dusk. The Hog Roast is provided for us by the Mississippi Power Boat Club and is "Back to the Bahamas."

Here is one couple ready to be a part of the fun with gutter boat in hand! So wear you floral shirts and outfits. Cost is $10 donation and Beer is donation only with donation cans around. Pop is provided to participants by Sprouse Distributing in the Riverview Center as long as you have your wristband. We will have early registration available Friday afternoon after noon for those who arrive early and come to the riverfront. Just follow the maps on the website to the riverfront. For those wanting to do in water displays the harbor has a locked gate entrance, but we will have a key to open it Friday. There will also be people around Friday afternoon to help you unload your boats if you need help. Also if you are coming from the southwest on Hwy 218 and come in on Hwy 61 from the south please follow the Business Hwy 61 detour. It will take the by pass north to Cedar Street. Turn right on Cedar Street and it will take you right to the park downtown. Saturday we will be starting to put boats in the water around 7:00 am with help for you as required. There will be volunteers at the both entrances to the park, ( show boats us the Cedar Street entrance, cars, tractors, race boats, race cars, QC Radio Control Boat Club, Knuckledraggers, use the Iowa Ave entrance, please see the maps page on the website). Tractors will meet at Farm and Fleet on the north end of town on Hwy 61 and park in the far north part of the parking lot to unload your tractors to drive them into town. They will leave with a police escort at 8:00 am Saturday morning. If you are bringing a tractor and do not want to come in by the police escort, no problem. Then come to the park on the Cedar Street entrance (shown on website) and then turn left at the park to the large parking area by the boat ramp, unload and leave pick up and trailer there, drive tractor back down park road to tractor area. All Registrations will be located at the Riverview Center. If you have any questions you can ask anybody in a white event polo shirt and they will guide you.

Many of you know that this year we have not been posting each individual entry into the photo gallery as in the past. This year it has simply been a time issue. We will be posting all of the event pictures after the show this year. Next year we will have an automatic placement system. If you have swap meet items to bring with you we just ask that you keep them from becoming a tripping hazard in your display areas. Keep your areas tidy and respect others. There will not be any volunteers' available selling swap meet items for others. We do not want to take the responsibility if someone changes markings of your goods etc. Make sure that you also have your own change for dealing or selling.
Water level is perfect!
The rollers are back down and people have been boating as normal which is great! You have the Mississippi to go out and enjoy this year and we have Corp maps available or you can down load them at http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/NIC2/mrcharts.cfm?index=3 and see Map 60. People always ask us where we boat with our classics. On the Mississippi of course. It has a mystic to it that is really neat, and we are happy to show you how to read the Mississippi to enjoy it yourself. We have Corp of Engineer maps that show channel and everything you need to know to enjoy yourself. If we have enough interest in a Lock through of Lock and Dam 16 we will go on Friday at 2:00 pm or Saturday morning around 10:00 am. A lock through is dependent on barge traffic so the exact time can vary but let us know. We have some space on a couple of pontoons and you can also take your own boat and go along for a neat experience. The Lock chamber can hold many boats at one time for a lock through and John Hintermeister will be leading the tours of some neat backwater areas that only locals know about. Bring your camera!
Good Old Day Pictures.....
Some of our participants past pictures have started to come in. I encourage you to keep sending in pictures from your past to share with others. Here are a couple I thought were pretty neat.

This picture is from Marion Roskowski's wife Nora that he doesn't know Nora has sent to us. Hi - Here are some of Marion's early boat pictures. He built the hydro while in high school in the fifties. The older picture is Marion and his brother and sister in his Dad's Wagemaker in 1942 - he was almost five years old. Our kids bought him a similar Wagemaker for his 50th birthday and he finally got it finished. That boat is the one we are bringing to Iowa - this will be its first outing.
Gutter Boats are a hit and the track is ready!
Funny thing about the gutter boats is we really didn't know how receptive people would be to such an idea. Now I have had many people say, I have my gutter boat ready , made one with my son, is there a limit how many we can make etc. . There is no limit to how many you can have, the track will be available all Saturday morning to try them out. Timing system was shipped on the 28th so we should be good to go. I have been putting the timing system together and it is pretty neat how it has photo eyes etc. and will time to 1/100 of a second. I stopped and visited Paul and Marge Morris in Des Moines and seen one of his boats ( Paul and Marge are rebuilding a Higgins, but I was interested in his gutter boat speed secrets) Paul is building a couple of gutter boats too.

Name That Boat?
We have a couple of winners and still have 2 boats left to identify. Boat #1 - The little white fiberglass classic with a hard top convertible - It was an Aristocraft Funliner. Winner John Gambill. Boat #2 - Small woodie with white sides - Hafercraft from Spirit Lake, Iowa. Winner Ray Stockwell. Boat #3 - Still not a winner, wooden boat with outboard on back., Boat #4 - Again, guess but no winner. Hint is early 60s' boat with one of first OMC electridrive I/O. Hint - Named after an Indian group. One last boat to guess, Manufacturer, Model, and Year wins an event shirt.

Band Correction Time and Date...
Last News Update I had stated that the Button Factory will also have the band the Pour Boyz on Saturday evening. I stand corrected, it is Friday evening. Therefore there will be the Fry Daddies at the Mississippi Brew playing some island favorites beginning at 5:00 across from the park, Pour Boyz at 7:00 pm at the Button Factory, and then The Tail Fins at 9:00 pm at the Mississippi Brew. Again, both are located directly from the park.
YPN Group Saturday Night Downtown discounts.
The Young Professional Group of Muscatine will have a downtown Showcase Saturday evening beginning at 4:00 pm if you are interested. Below are the details provided to us from the YPN group. Several downtown businesses set to participate in Downtown Showcase. Join YPN Muscatine, the Downtown Action Alliance, and downtown businesses on Saturday, May 15, in celebrating what is great about Downtown Muscatine. Participants will have the opportunity to see what downtown merchants have to offer beginning in the Pearl Plaza at 4:00 pm and continuing through the evening, ending at The Missipi Brew. Each participant in the Downtown Showcase will be given a chance to take advantage of discounts and/or specials at several local businesses from 4:00-6:00 pm, as well as local restaurants from 6:00-9:00 pm. The following businesses will be showcased during the event: Party HQ, The Hall Tree, Flower Gallery, Still N Style, Just Because, Pro Hair Designs, Muscatine Travel, Steven's Diamond Gallery, Carriage House Carpet One, Mami's, The Brew, Elly's Tea and Coffee House, Tantra Thai Bistro, Salvatore's, Hubbles, Jody's Bar and Grill, One More Round, and The Button Factory. Discounts and/or specials include: 10% off your order at Salvatore's (excludes alcoholic beverages), buy 1 get 1 free ice cream at Elly's, $100 off a purchase of $1500 or more at Carriage House Carpet One, and $1 cover to see Haphazard at The Brew. For a full list of discounts and specials, visit www.YPNmuscatine.org. Participants who visit all the selected merchants and restaurants will have the chance to win prizes at the end of evening. After the prize drawing, stick around to hear Haphazard at The Brew beginning at 9:30 pm. Admission is $5 for 2010 YPN paid members and $10 for non-members. This event occurs during the same weekend as the "That Was Then, This Is Now" Keels and Wheels in the Riverside Park, providing another opportunity to enjoy downtown Muscatine before and after the Downtown Showcase.
Bicycle Collection
If you are familiar with an event in Iowa called RAGBRAI, you will know the name of Harper's Cyclery who is one of the main supporters of the big bike ride across Iowa. They also hold a large bicycle race in Muscatine known as the Melon City Criterium. Charlie Harper has been collecting bicycles and selling bicycles as long as he can remember. Great family and they have decided to bring out some of their unique bicycles that will take you back in time. They have collector editions of some bikes that you may have had as a kid, or wish you had but your parents thought differently. Remember the Lemon Peeler and others. They have them and will have a complete display of one run bicycles in great condition. Don't miss this unique display by Pearl City Station and the KnuckleDragger Scooter Club!

New Wine Nutz open for Business!
This week as I went to the Pearl City Plaza I went to a new business that visitors in town will find interesting. It is on the second floor of the Pearl City Plaza just behind the Button Factory. You can enter off of 2nd Street one block to the north of the park. It has specialty beer, wine, and nuts, with a quaint deck 3 stories up, overlooking the park. Really neat place so check it out. http://wine-nutz.com Just happened to see it and walked in thinking you would like to know about it.
Cake for Participants
Last call for anyone who is having a birthday or anniversary during the time frame of the boat show. If you have had or will have a birthday or anniversary this week or next week let me know. Every year we get a birthday and anniversary cake for Saturday afternoon for the participants to have a piece in the Riverview Center in between activities at you leisure. If you are having a birthday or anniversary let me know by Wed. last call and we will put your names on the cakes.
Upcoming Events
The Mississippi Valley ACBS Chapter will be having their boat show this June. See below flyer and contact for more information. Please see prior News Updates for other future shows this summer that had sent in information.

Registrations:
As you can see we will having many things to do. Again, get your registrations in. If you have any issues with the registration form just let me know at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. The registration forms are on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and are open for all. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page. If you are interested in any of the cruises, let us know as you register at the park so we can figure out boats required and for the cocktail cruises approx. how many to figure on. In closing if you are a boater be thankful this is not you:


See you Friday!
Dave . . .

April 25, 2010

News Update #12

2 weeks to go! Check out the website for all details and get your registrations in!
Personal Good Old Day Pictures!!!
Some of our participants past pictures have started to come in. I encourage you to keep sending in pictures from your past to share with others. Here are a couple I thought were pretty neat.

The first pictures are Benny Krebs from 1971 when he used to race drag boats. Benny is now retired and rebuilding wooden boats. He is also one of the events co directors you will be meeting when you come to Muscatine.

Ted Cartner sent in this great photo of his early days with his Dad, Vern. Ted said they spent most summer weekends at his Grandfathers cottage on the Chain of Lakes. Ted's Dad is now in his 80s and still has a 30' Chris Craft on Lake Superior and regularly takes it out fishing for Lake Trout. This is just for fun. Again from last week, do any of you have pictures of you when you were younger and with your classics? They can be an early hot rod, boating, or motorcycle pictures, etc. If you do, scan them and send me a copy with a description. We have an idea that would be kind of neat depending on your participation. This is the kind of stuff we are looking for. If you have hard copies and don't know how to scan them, send them to me and I will send them back. Just a couple pictures per person is all we are looking for.
Race Boats
Even thought the racing boats will not be running a sanctioned testing session this year there will be some boats in attendance. Ron Taylor will be bringing Happy Buddha from Michigan who will be coming down to represent the APBA. The APBA will be back in attendance for 2011 and on the Mississippi. We appreciate Ron coming. There will also be drag boats and Jersey Skiffs in attendance and again, next year we will be back on the Mississippi with race boats of all kinds!

Norm Smiths Challenge
Norm Smith who owns a Triumph TR4 is offering a sundae at the Button Factory for any of the Quad City British Auto Club member attending with their vehicle. I will be sure to point out Norm when you arrive with the British classic.
Name That Boat?
We have a couple of winners and still have 2 boats left to identify. Boat #1 - The little white fiberglass classic with a hard top convertible - It was an Aristocraft Funliner. Winner John Gambill. Boat #2 - Small woody with white sides - Hafercraft from Spirit Lake, Iowa. Winner Ray Stockwell. Boat #3 - Still not a winner, wooden boat with outboard on back., Boat #4 - Again, guess but no winner. Hint is early 60s' boat with one of first OMC electridrive I/O. Hint - Named after an Indian group.
Button Factory Band Saturday Night
The Button Factory will also be having a band Saturday evening called the Pour Boyz. They will be beginning at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm also across from the park. They play Country, Blues, Rock, Punk, and everything in between.

YPN Downtown Showcase
From the Young Professionals Network I have received the following invitation to anyone coming to Muscatine for the event. The Young Professionals Network (YPN) of Muscatine members, the Downtown Action Alliance, and the Downtown Merchants are celebrating what is great about our Downtown. Anyone is invited and starting at 4pm on Saturday May 15th in the Pearl Plaza Lobby ( located right behind The Pearl Button Restaurant) and continuing on throughout the night ending at the Historic Missippi Brew is a chance for you to see what the downtown merchants have to offer. Each participant in the downtown showcase will be given a chance to take advantage of discounts / specials at the local merchants (from 4-6 pm), drink and taste new items at local restaurants (6-9 pm), and if you visit all the selected merchants and restaurants you have the chance to win prizes at the end of night. Stick around for Haphazard at the Brew beginning at 9:30pm. Please join us for what we know will be a great night for a walk through historic downtown Muscatine. Admission is $5 for YPN Members and $10 for Non-Members.
Upcoming Shows
The first show is in Madison, WI. As shown below. The Glacier Lake ACBS sponsors the event.

The second event was submitted by Matt Byrne from the Blackhawk Chapter of the ACBS. Contact information is shown below.


If you would like to learn more about Heritage Harbor Ottawa call 815-433-5000 or see us at www.heritageharborottawa.com **Click for Printable image.
Registrations
As you can see we will be having many things to do. Again, get your registrations in. If you have any issues with the registration form just let me know at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. The registration forms are on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and are open for all. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page. If you are interested in any of the cruises, let us know so we can figure out boats required and for the cocktail cruises approx. how many to figure on.
In Closing
Not for the squeamish!!
SECONDS before Death (CHILLING).
WARNING! GRAPHIC BOATING PHOTO BELOW.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF A MAN WITH JUST SECONDS LEFT TO LIVE (CHILLING!)

Dave . . .

April 25, 2010

News Update #11

It All Starts with Us
I was in Texas this week and am now flying back. After sitting in Dallas on a delay, I was reading my latest edition of "The Antique Classic Motorcycle Club of America" (AMCA) magazine, "The Antique Motorcycle." It seems that many of our organizations that are into the restoration of antique and classic vehicles, boats, etc. are all going through a period of time where we are wondering who is going to keep up this passion of ours going when our older generations are gone. One of the questions they address in the article is what we all ask ourselves, "What can we do to attract more young people into our hobby and get them to be enthusiasts?" One of their 24 year-old members stated his feelings about being accepted and involved in this organization. These feelings carry over to all shows regardless of what is at the show; cars, motorcycles, boats, tractors, etc. True, it is a different world out there now then when we grew up in the "Good Old Days." We sometimes shake our heads at kids today as they walk around with different color hair, piercings etc., and using texting is their communication means. But there are many good kids out there, no matter how they look, who just want us to respect them. He tells his story of going to an event and people looking past him with his small affordable British or Japanese Bike. The older generation is going right past him looking for the old Indian or Henderson motorcycles that are valued at $50k and have people drooling over them. These younger folks can't afford this! Boat wise, it is the young people who own newer fiberglass boats that some die- hard wood lovers call "Tupperware." You need to realize that young people may get a future fiberglass classic offered to them that has been sitting in a field with a tree growing through it. With the limited tools they have, they may get a buffer out with some Finesse It, fix the holes, put a new timing belt on the outboard with some points and new stickers and, in their eyes, it has become their Chris Craft Triple. They can't afford to do new gel coat, etc. like the guys who make them into fiberglass show pieces. But a kind word of a job well done from one of the guys with a fiberglass classic restored to look like a piece of art, or a woodie that glistens, might just put a light to their fire! We are missing the boat here folks. If you come to Muscatine and you feel you have been treated differently than anybody else by the volunteers here in Muscatine, please come talk to me. This event was started with one format, open to all, with no politics. There will always be participants at any show that say words, not realizing that the owner of the boat they are talking about is right there. I can't change attitudes from some participant and it isn't worth trying. This was just meant to plant the seed in those who will take some action and want to see our groups thrive and not die on the vine. Take time to visit with the guy or gal who is in the process of rebuilding their prize. Rust or rot is what all the unfound treasures hiding in barns or garages will become if we don't take time to treat everybody fairly, including the younger generation, and take time to encourage those just starting out with the reckless abandoned we may not like. Someday he or she may be the next top restorer in your area. All of our Chapters or clubs need to be looking at encouraging family participation, involving students in schools, and inviting these younger people, no matter what they own, to be part of a group that has a passion for acceptance of anyone dedicated to the restoration of anything with a motor! "It All Starts with Us" Try it, you'll like it!
National Motorcycle Museum
For those of you who like to come early, let me recommend a stop not too far from here. The National Motorcycle Museum is located in Anamosa, Iowa. Checkout www.nationalmcmuseum.com They have over 225 Motorcycles, from motorcycles dating back to 1903, to Vance and Hines Top Fuel Drag Bike, to a Harley Davidson Car, and now the bikes I used to have . . . . British and Japanese Classics from the 60s' - 80s'. Sound familiar? Every Spring and Fall, they have a motorcycle hill climb in Anamosa and I love to go and visit the museum. It is about an hour from Muscatine to the northwest but worth the trip.
Personal Good Old Day Pictures
Do any of you have pictures of you when you were younger and with your classics? They can be an early hot rod, boating, or motorcycle pictures, etc. If you do, scan them and send me a copy with a description. We have an idea that would be kind of neat depending on your participation. If you don't send me anything, then the idea obviously won't work. For instance, the picture of Boat #2 in the last News Update was me at 3 years old with my brother. This is the kind of stuff we are looking for. If you have hard copies and don't know how to scan them, send them to me and I will send them back. Just a couple pictures per person is all we are looking for.
Old Steam Boat Calliope
If you have grown up or live by any of the major rivers in the US, you may have heard the steam boat calliope play as they come into towns along the river. Here in Muscatine, it happens whenever they come through or dock right at the Steamboat Landing where the Cardboard Boat Regatta takes place. Brian Wolters, from here in Muscatine, restores old organ grinders and plays calliopes. John Hintermeister contacted Brian and he will be bringing down a calliope like the ones on the old steam boats and play it for the event. That is pretty neat if you have never seen one work before.
Fiberglass Classic
Here is what makes some of the boats in attendance different. What would you think seeing this set of double headlights coming at you in the dark, not on pavement, but on the water! This is one of the boats that will be in attendance at this year's event. This is a 1959 Aeromarine owned by Dave and Pam Moehrke.

Registrations
Now that the Schedule of Events has been completed, I don't think there is any time from Friday afternoon through Saturday night where there is not something available to keep you entertained. We thank everyone for helping with this event by providing services to our event. We are encouraging you to get your registrations in. Now that we have our shirt design completed and shirts are ordered, we will be giving a free event shirt to every 10th registration at the event and will notify you individually as registrations come in. If you have any issues with the registration form just let me know at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. The registration forms are on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and are open for all. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page. If you are interested in any of the cruises, let us know so we can figure out boats required and for the cocktail cruises approx. how many to figure on.
Dave . . .

April 21, 2010

News Update #10

The Countdown is On! Less than one month
Car Show growing!
After this week I am really excited for this year's event. Believe me that the only reason we do this event is for everyone to come and have a good time and to fill the park with people to renew old fellowships, and kick back to unwind. This year we have more and more people asking us about the event and what it is about. This week we went to a meeting Quad City Ford Club, and Pam Jackson with the new Wapello, IA. car club who had a show at the mall on Saturday. One of the things about organizing an event like this is you get to meet many great people with a common interest. At the QC Ford Club meeting I seen Wes Timmerman who also has antique tractors with the Deer Valley Collectors. You don't forget these people and many times they become lifetime friends. The car show is also free to participate in and we encourage you to come for as much of the day as you want with your classic car, rod, muscle car, sports car, or any of the newer Challengers, Chargers, or Mustangs. It will be neat to see cars from that was then and what they look like now!
Do I know you?
It is funny how you meet people and only after walking away do you realize who you are talking too. This week I also went to the QC Radio Controlled Boat Club Meeting. I was explaining that everybody that participants can do any of the events they want, hog roast, cruises, etc, etc. I also stated that one of my favorite artists Darrell Bush was going to be at the event. One of the gentlemen from the group stated that they have an artist in their group and introduced him as Michael Blaser. Ok, didn't really think much about it. Michael is a really nice gentleman and he didn't really boast or brag about his accomplishments. I had seen his work just didn't know his name. He just said go to his website for his e-mail address. That night when I came home I checked out his website. Michael is the artist I always wondered who painted the scenes I had told my wife I love his work . . . . whoever it is. Now I know, Michael Blaser. Check them out www.michaelblaser.com and www.darrellbushart.com . You will be glad you did. Meet them in Muscatine!
Friday Evening at the Bahamas Hog Roast!
For those new to the News Updates and this event, on Friday evening we have for all participants a Hog Roast brought to you by the Muscatine Power Boat Club. The event is located in the park at the Riverview Center from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. This year we are going to have a theme to change things up a little for fun. This year we are going to the Bahamas! Since starting with this theme idea we have already talked about the next couple of years having a different theme for the hog roast. Next year we are going back to the Beatles so be digging out your 60s' garb and be ready for some Beatle tributes. The year after that we will be looking at a "Saturday Night Live" event. This year we will have decorations we have just ordered along with photo opportunities for all, a little Caribbean Music, and beverages. I mentioned this to Dave and Mary at the Mississippi Brew just across the street from the park and they have also helped us to get in the mood for the Bahamas by booking the Fry Daddies from 5:00 - 9:00 at their outdoor garden just across the street. The Fry Daddies are outstanding and you have to see them. They play a blend of music from the Caribbean along with a blend of Jimmy Buffett music to take you back to the white sand beaches. We thank Dave and Mary so much for all they do for our event.
Pearl Button Excursion Boat Cruises
The Pearl Button Excursion Boat will be holding cruises both Friday and Saturday evening at dusk for the participants in the event only. After the Hog Roast on Friday evening walk down just downstream to the boat and go for our cocktail cruise. Saturday evening the boat will be part of the Lighted Night Boat Parade and you can also be part of the event. Both nights again you need your wristbands to board and first come first serve. Departing time will approx 8:30. Both cruises will be a cocktail type cruise and they will loop along the riverfront park and up toward the Muscatine Bridge so you can get pictures from the river of the bridge with its LED colored light show at night. They will have a cash bar for all your favorite beverages.
So you like Music!
The Mississippi Brew in honor of "That Was Then, This Is Now" event have brought in "The Tailfin's" to perform at their outdoor garden Friday evening after the Fry Daddies. The Tailfin's are a great 50s' and 60s' band that also reaches into the 70s' They have been featured at various major festivals around the tri-state area. For those who want to have a goodtime Friday evening after Hog Roast check them out. On Saturday evening the Brew has brought in another great group called Haphazard for your entertainment. Please check them out!
Featured Boat
I have placed a link on our website at www.muscatineboatshow.com on the News Page for a story on Bill Hanson who has been rebuilding his Century for the last few years. The Hanson family has been our family friends since the 60s' in Humboldt, IA. Check out the link that is from the Humboldt Newspaper on Bill's Century. Bill's brother Mike is also from Muscatine and had a beautiful Cedar Strip Canoe at last year's show.
Name that boat?
Ok, here is the deal, last week we had the following picture to win an event shirt. There have been no correct answers yet. To sweeten the pot this week we have last week's boat to identify and 2 boats this week. Each of them are worth an event shirt to be picked up at the event for the first correct answer to e-mail me at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com . Only one winner per family. I had one guess last week that was the correct mfg. but year was off. I will go 2 years within year of boat. Last Week's Boat #1 Hint ( Midwest Boat Mfg. REALLY close to where we have our show) Boat #2 Sorry for the clarity. Old photo from early 60s' on East Okoboji. Boat #3 Taken with a cell phone. Come on fiberglass guys! The windshield is missing but being redone right now.
Registrations
Now that the Schedule of Events has been completed I don't think there is a time of the day from Friday afternoon through Saturday night where there is not something going on to keep you entertained. We thank everyone for helping with this event by providing services to our event. We are encouraging you to get your registrations in. Now that we have our shirt design completed and shirts are ordered, we will be giving a free event shirt to every 10th registration at the event and will notify you individually as registrations come in. If you have any issues with the registration form just let me know at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. The registration forms are on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and are open for all. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page. If you are interested in any of the cruises let us know so we can figure out boats required and for the cocktail cruises approx. how many to figure on.
Extra Display Building across from park
This year we will also have the big blue building right across the street from the park with displays. The building was offered to us by Mississippi Marine to house some displays for a plug for their business. Easy enough! We thank them for their offer! Stop by and say Hi! Next week more updates and new pictures of more entries in the Gutter Boat Craze! Also send us your event posters to post. We will be glad to help promote any neighboring car, boat, motorcycle or tractor events. We have to help each other, that is what the world is about!
Dave . . .

April 08, 2010

News Update #9

One month to countdown!!!!!

As part of this year's event the Vintage British Car Club will also be in attendance. There will be more car clubs with cars in attendance and we will also feature their group covers as time gets closer.

Knuckle Draggers Scooter Club to be in attendance.

Last night I received an e-mail from a group that is also interested in bringing some of their scooters. Cool group and neat scooters! Check out their Vespas, and lambrettas. Their group is mainly vintage 60s' scooters.

Name this boat contest #2

Last News Update winner was John Gambill who identified the boat as a Aristocraft Funliner.

Here is the next boat to be identified. First person to identify will win an event shirt to be picked up at the show. I need to know manufacturer and year. E mail your guess to moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com

Schedule of Events

May 14th, 2010, Friday:

Early bird boats on display at park and area businesses.

Participant Informal boat ride through Lock and Dam #16. 2:00 pm

Bahama Nights Muscatine Power Boat Club Hog Roast for the Boat Show Participants. Only place on Mississippi River

where the river runs east to west and the sunsets are beautiful!

Participant Cocktail Cruse on Pearl Button Excursion Boat 8:00 pm

May 15th, 2010, Saturday:

Registration starting at 6:00 am at Riverview Center.

Greater Muscatine Button Museum Boat Racing Display all day.

Displays in Blue Building across from park all day.

Radio Control Boats at Steam Boat landing all day.

Race Car Displays

Darrell Bush Artist all day.

Antique/Classic Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum, Boat and Canoe Show. 8:00am - 8:00pm.

Antique, Street Rods, British/English, Corvettes, Muscle Car, motorcycles, antique tractor show in Park. 8:00am - 8:00pm.

Show cars will have access to leave after 3:00 pm from the park show area.

Swap meet 8:00am - 8:00pm.

Participant Informal boat ride through Lock and Dam #16. 9:00 am

Gutter Boat Racing beginning at 10:00 am ( Area just west of Riverview Center )

1st Session of Cardboard & Paddle Boat Regatta 1:00pm (Steamboat Landing).

2nd Session of Cardboard & Paddle Boat Regatta 4:00pm (Steamboat Landing)

Vendor displays in park all day.

"Classics Cruz'n the River" Classic Boats on the river and recognition of boats for the crowd. All day.

Every type of your favorite boats of the past will be on the river for your camera opportunities.

Participant Cocktail Cruse on Pearl Button Excursion Boat 8:30 pm

Venetian Nights Boat Parade 9:00 pm (Along river bank)

Outdoor Movie in park for participants (9:15 pm)

May 16th, 2010, Sunday:

Greater Muscatine Button Museum Boat Racing Display all day.

Antique/Classic Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum, Boat and Canoe Show. 8:00am - 2:00pm.

Swap meet 8:00am - 3:00pm.( North of boat ramp )

Vendor displays in park all day.

Event Concludes and Park Secured at 4:00pm.

If you would like to show you car, motorcycle, antique/classic boat, race boat, antique tractor, registration is free and the event is non judged. Register at www.muscatineboatshow.com or call 563-260-1970. Any questions feel free to contact Dave Moritz at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com There are also oldies bands playing and more info to follow.

Hog Roast Theme this Year goes to the Bahamas!

As part of the Hog Roast this year we are going to go to the Bahamas. The Riverview Center will be decorated in the Caribbean theme and there will be Caribbean music and other goodies for the evening! Wear your floral shirts and dresses and get you picture taken on the white sand beaches with palm trees!

Saturday Tractor, Car, and Motorcycle Run into town from north edge of town.

The Deer Valley Collectors have asked if they can come into town riding their tractors. I will be working with Farm and Fleet to have them unload their tractors at the north end of town and have a police escort for them to come into town Saturday morning at 8:00 am. If you want to join them with you custom car, or motorcycle let us know. Otherwise you can come directly to the park when you get to town.

Registrations

We are encouraging you to get your registrations in as soon as possible. For an event like this we need to size the hog for the hog roast, figure out who wants to go on the different cruises, order shirts, etc.

We are now almost 1 month away from the show and we have the whole park to fill up. Spread the word with all your buddies and remember the event is free for all except the Hog Roast is $7.

We will be giving a free event shirt to every 10th registration at the event and will notify you individually as registration come in. If you have any issues with the registration form just let me know at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. The registration forms are on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and are open for all. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page.

Dave . . .

March 26, 2010

News Update #8

The warmer temps are here and melting the snow we had below! This picture was taken outside of Muscatine on an east/west gravel road just about a month ago!

Now the grass is turning green and we are EXCITED! This time of year going into the boat show is fun. The community is starting to ask about the show and we are having people volunteer and starting to build their cardboard boats and gutter boats. We also have others working on their full size boats, cars, bikes, and tractors to get ready. Temps next week forecast for the upper 60s' and 70s'!
Northern Friends wanting to come South!
We have had some of our friends from the north country of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan sending in registrations and asking how the snow is down here! One of them is Tom Costello from Michigan who is bringing his 1940 Chris Craft.

Today I had a call from Dennis Mykols also from Michigan who had just discovered the website and registered and called today. He is bringing a classic Donzi behind his ElCamino with some Antique outboards to wheel and deal. If you know of anyone that we have not got the word out to, please let us know. We have a pretty extensive database for sending the News Updates to, but as people change e-mails, new people become involved in the hobby, etc. we don't always get the word out.
Name That Boat Test!

We did this contest a couple of years ago. What is this boat? The first person to let me know via e-mail will receive an event shirt for 2010 when they arrive. I have been informed what it is and actually seen it in a recent copy of one of the classic boating magazines.
Lake of the Ozarks First Patrol Boat!

Before our 2007 event my wife and I went down to Eldon, MO. after receiving a call from Marty Franz about a Yellow Jacket boat that needed to be rebuilt. We went to Eldon and found a Yellow Jacket that was the Morgan County Sherriff boat that was the first used as a patrol boat on Lake of the Ozarks. Steve Shirk's wife Susie knew Steve had the abilities to rebuild a boat and I had told her we were going to go down and look at it to see what it was. We ended up bringing it back and Susie and their son and daughter surprised Steve with the boat he thought was ours. Above was the picture from 2007 when Steve realized this was his new project! Since then Steve has completely rebuilt the boat so it will be at the show this year completed as shown below. Steve has restored to original with Morgan County Sherriff emblems and everything in place just like in the 50s'.

Cake time for Birthdays and Anniversaries.
First call for you to contact us if you are having a birthday or anniversary during the event in Muscatine. Every year we do a cake for the participants and honor those in attendance with their names on a sheet cake for birthdays and another for wedding anniversaries! If you are having one of these occasions please send me names and what you are celebrating, birthday or anniversary. Send to moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com
Great Chris Craft Boat For Sale Please Help!
I just received this today and told Rick I would help him out. I will not do this for anybody who wants to sell a boat as this is not a Classified Ad update. But in this case Rick has a classic he has to move or it is history! All of us want to see this classic go to someone who will restore and help Rick out! These boats are too precious to let go! If interested please contact Rick directly. Rick's phone number is below.
Hello David: My name is Rick Atterberg, from Keokuk. I've been a recipient of your boat show updates for a couple of years. I have been a "big time" wooden boat nut since the mid eighties, and at one time had eleven different woodies, in varying states and conditions, as well as tons & tons of parts! Several years ago, I fell on hard times, and had to liquidate my entire collection of parts & boats, save for two projects. I have just lost storage on the larger & older one of the two, namely a 1949 Chris Craft 28' Super Enclosed Cruiser. I must have it removed from its present location by the 30th of April! It is currently not a useable boat, but is still very solid, and in need of alot of cosmetic work, including replanking of the transom. I am owner #4. It was purchased new in 1949 by Bob Crist of Quincy. He then gave it to his daughter & son-in-law in 1970. They replaced the original 6 cyl. Hercules with a brand new Mercruiser 350 inboard in 1974. They sold it to Tim Irvine of Quincy, around 1980. I bought it in 1990, drove it up the river to our Yacht Club, and used it every day that summer. It was sitting in my shop from the fall of '90 until the fall of 2004, when I moved it to its current location. I have all the pieces & parts to reassemble the boat. It basically needs a bunch of TLC, combined with alot of sweat! If you know of anyone in your circle of friends & associates who would like a very worthwhile project, PLEASE refer them to me! If I can't find it a new home by the 30th, the ultimate disposition will probably stripping and cutting up the old girl. I would hate to see that happen, but that eventuality is quite possible. I'm going to try and get it listed on eBay during this weekend, but the first seriously interested party to step up with $$$$$ is going to own it! PLEASE SEE THE ENCLOSED PHOTOS! Thanking you in advance for any assistance you can offer! Sincerely, Rick Atterberg - Ph. 319 795 6234


Dave . . .

March 14, 2010

News Update #7

2010 Event Shirt Design is here!

The shirts will again be available at the show for $10 and will be available in the blue color above or on white. Every year we try to use pictures from past events, so this year we have woodies, one of Pete Nydahl's race boats, a street rod, a pro street from this past year, motorcycle with side car, the Cardboard Boat Regatta Champions, The Brewstones, and the bridge and Lock and Dam #16 in the background. Next year when the APBA race boats are back, we will plan on adding vintage hydros along with GNH hydros along with other fiberglass classics and vehicles.
Deer Valley Collectors join event!

Since this event has always included vehicles and boats from the past we have decided to also include antique tractors. This area is also a hot bed of antique tractors. As we are only 20 miles from Moline, Illinois., the home of John Deere, and also other major tractor companies (International, Case, etc.), it was a natural to invite them. The Deer Valley Collectors are one of the larger chapters of antique tractor collectors and are great people. They also have their own signature show every year in late August-early September at the Village of East Davenport. We also invite all Antique Motorcycle owners and custom car owners to be a part of the event and the entries are coming in.
Muscatine History and Industry Center and Button Museum Displays part of event on Friday and Saturday!
Located just one block north of the Riverside Park the museum is a piece of history as Muscatine used to be the Pearl Button Capitol of the World. The displays are very interesting. The Pearl Button Wood Fire Grill used to actually be one of many pearl button manufacturing facilities in Muscatine and is right across from the Riverside Park. The following is from Kristin McHugh-Johnston, the director of the Muscatine History and Industry Center.

The Muscatine History and Industry Center welcomes visitors to the 2010 Muscatine Boat Show. Located at 117 West Second Street in the historic downtown district, the center is home to the Pearl Button Museum. The center's entire first floor is an interactive showcase on how Muscatine once produced 1.5 billion buttons annually. The second floor exhibits trace the history of current industries including the HNI Corporation and Stanley Consultants. A special display of local boating history will also be on view on the second floor during the boat show. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free, but donations are recommended. Stop in for a visit. The center is one block north from the riverfront's Iowa Avenue entrance, and then left on Second Street.
Kristin McHugh-Johnston Executive Director Muscatine History and Industry Center 117 W. 2nd Street Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-1052 kristinmchugh@machlink.com www.muscatinehistory.org
Venetian Nights Boat Parade
This year we are having a Venetian Nights Boat Parade on Saturday evening. We will be having local house boats that are in the harbor and anyone interested in being a part of the event. We have also this week talked to Musco Sports Lighting and will be lighting the park and part of the Mississippi for the return trip after passing by the crowd. Be a part of the fun! Also remember we will be having the Pearl Button Excursion Boat that will be giving participants a cruise at dusk to enjoy the Venetian Nights Boat Parade and go under the Muscatine LED Bridge for some unique photo opportunities. We need you to contact us if you are interested so we can start planning on participants for both the parade and cruises the Pearl Button will be providing for us.
Other Event Shows
Please see the AOMCI Antique Outboarder Magazine, Classic Boating Magazine, ACBS Rudder Magazine, Wooden Boat and other magazines for area event listings and support shows near you! If you want to send a jpeg or Word file we are happy to post your event posters as part of our News Updates! We need to support each other's events.
Schedule of Events
Will be posted this week! We like to be able to give you something to do when you are here and we enjoy bringing you this event and to keeping you entertained!
Registrations
We are encouraging you to get your registrations in. Now that we have our shirt design completed and shirts will be ordered this week, we will be giving a free event shirt to every 10th registration at the event and will notify you individually as registration come in. If you have any issues with the registration form just let me know at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. The registration forms are on the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com and are open for all. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, please make sure that you have received back a certification e-mail from the website that acknowledges that we received your registration. Unfortunately we have had people who enjoy messing with the website. If you would like you send your registration directly to me with the same info as on the website to moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. Sorry for the issue with the people who like to mess with websites but it happens. Also don't forget to send pictures of your project boats and we will post!
Dave . . .

March 08, 2010

News Update #6

Sponsors starting to come on board!
We are just starting our sponsor drive for 2010 and one of our first is the Hy-Vee Food Stores here in Muscatine. When you organize an event like this and realize that these people truly care about our community and this event, it is humbling to put it mildly. Many help with donations and others with in kind services.

Hy-Vee this week has acknowledged they will again be on board for providing the breakfast for all participants in the Riverview Center on Saturday morning. This is also where event registration is held as in the past.
4th Annual Muscatine Power Boat Club Hog Roast

The Muscatine Power Boat Club will again be having the now famous Hog Roast with the good old home cooking sides on Friday evening. This will also be held in the park at the Riverview Center on Friday afternoon from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm for all participants. The Power Boat Club will also be co- sponsoring The 1st Annual Gutter Boat Race Showdown along with Wilson True Value Hardware. Today I received an e-mail from Dick Baner who has made a few boats for this event as shown below.

I have also had many e-mails from participants who are also getting in the act by building boats and some will also be in an unlimited class. We will make the course a couple of meters longer for trying to stop the higher power boats, but will still run the 5 meter long course with side by side tracks. Tonight I went to the district Boy Scout board meeting and will go to the Round Table group next week to encourage the boys to get involved. There are also church groups getting involved. They are also making Cardboard Boats for the Cardboard Boat Regatta so this event is starting to grow with community involvement and that is what it is about. Clean fun for everyone!
Wooden Boat Magazine Surprise
This past week we were at Borders and I was looking at some magazines. I picked up the latest issue of Wooden Boat Magazine. Toward the back I happened to see the Calendar of Events below and the picture looked familiar. That was pretty neat to see the event listed and an actual picture of the Brewstones from last year's event.
^^ Click for Details
I can't remember if I have told people, but if you want to see coverage of last year's event it was in the Classic Boating Magazine in the Sept/Oct 2009 edition and also in the Century Magazine Thoroughbred Magazine, Summer or Fall edition of 2009. It is fun to see events in magazines and helps to spread the word. The last issue of Classic Boating also had the Black Hawk Chapter of the ACBS Chicago Boat Show and Glacier Lake ACBS Pewaukee Event in Wisconsin. There has also been coverage of other local shows from Okoboji, Clear Lake, and Mississippi Valley shows so we are well represented here in the Midwest.
Project Photos
Last News Update I had asked for some project photos so I will post a few of the boats recently received, completed and others in progress.

Andy and Cindy McCormick from Wisconsin last year found this Century Resorter >> Write up. It was in need of a new bottom and Andy and friends put it in the garage this past October and started to replace. It now has a new plywood and plank bottom done with 5200 and CPES. Check the website for the pdf file that Cindy sent in with the process and story. They also have youtube video of their Madison, WI boat show at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hcl6I3tyaA.

Steve Workman placing his rebuilt Gray 188 in his Higgins he is rebuilding. The bottom is done, and things are going back together.

Benny Krebs flipping his Coronado and the bottom picture showing one nervous helper! The bottom is now all off and going back together. If you have project pictures feel free to share and we will post on this website on News Updates. It is fun for all to see they are not alone.
Registrations
The registration forms are now open for all events on the website and we encourage you to get your registrations completed. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page. This ensures we have received your registration. This year I have not had time to update the Gallery with the boats as they register. We will post event pictures after the event as we have many photographers coming this year to cover the event.
Show Information
Check the website Maps/Lodging Page for motel information, website links, and maps with their reduced room rates they have provided for us, for you. They have links for each motel and you can see what there is available with all contact info you need. If you are new to the show and our website, check out all of the tabs as we will always be updating them. Therefore check us out at www.muscatineboatshow.com.
New Mississippi Riverbend Chapter Status
In past News Updates you have seen that on February 6th we had a charter meeting of a group of local boat enthusiast interested in starting a chapter of the Antique Classic Boating Society (ACBS). Due to circumstances beyond our group's control, we will not be able to be an ACBS chapter. That really won't change things as we will form a club dedicated to having fun, and a network of local antique and classic boat owners. Since we met and have a great group of people interested in this club, we will have events to which all of you are always invited and we will also support neighboring ACBS chapter events. It is too bad things sometimes have to happen, but, oh well. After all isn't it about the fun and friendships this hobby has given us. We will still be known as the Mississippi Riverbend Classic and Antique Boat Club and open to anyone who is interested in being a member. We will have a tab on the Muscatine Boat Show website at www.muscatineboatshow.com shortly and will be following up with all those who have shown interest within the next week as this issue just resolved this past week. We will also be adding the bios on the new members of our club with boats and their supporting stories to the website.
Upcoming Shows
In closing, we are starting to enjoy the warmer weather. I have looked at some 5200 and Epifanes and can't wait for warm weather. This year is also the 30th Anniversary of the Okoboji Boat Show and Mike Hagen has contacted me to encourage you to come to Okoboji on July 31st. Chris Smith will be a featured speaker on Friday evening before the show to tell the history of Chris Craft. Below is also the flyer from the Clear Lake Chapter of the ACBS who are featuring Fiberglassics as part of their show. If you have a fiberglass classic or any antique or classic wooden boat trailer to Clear Lake, July 17th.

Next News Update we will feature other project boats and other things that daily are becoming part of the event here in Muscatine, May 14-16.
Till next time . . .

Feburary 20, 2010

News Update #5

Headlines New Mississippi Riverbend ACBS Chapter has been formed and is ready to charter.
Well, the ACBS has a new chapter being chartered to be known as the Mississippi Riverbend Chapter. They had their first formation meeting and will consist of mainly members from the eastern part of Iowa and Western part of Illinois. There are also some others who have stated they want to also be members of their existing chapters and secondary members of the new chapter, so it is nice to have the support. More to follow . . .

Above is the new poster for the 2010 event. If you would like the file in jpeg format to help advertise, just let me know. We have changed the name of the event to Keels and Wheels, as many events have, since we also have the cars, motorcycles, and tractors. The keels cover every form of boat there is including the racing boats. We just wanted to make sure everyone feels they are a part of the event and have considered this change for a couple of years. Next year, when the race boats are back and running the APBA sanctioned event, the name will still fit! NEW FOR 2010! Remember, too, we are having gutter boat races for fun. I have also included some pictures of a couple of gutter boat racers we have been working on, how they may look, and what is needed. Cost is approx. $10 per racer depending on your choice of boat material.
Side view, all balsa wood except bottom is bass wood. Will be sealed with CPES.
Top view without cover in place. Notice the motor comes with mounting bracket and use door shim to mount angle of motor to get proper angle. Shaft log will be glued into place and have petro jelly in shaft to keep water out. Notice the 9V battery pigtail available at any Radio Shack or hobby store for 50 cents.
Above is a second boat that is still not completed. It will be a hydro style.
Some of the parts you will need and cost: Aristocraft CRE-FA130 electric motor (Motor turns 8600RPM, Cool!) - $2.50 Small on off switch - 49 cents Shaft Log Material K&S Stock #127 - 50 cents Drive Shaft K&S Stock #1626 - $1.00 Propeller, Dumas Boats #3001 - $1.00 Balsa Wood is up to you what you use.
All of the above are common at every Hobby Shop I went to. You can also order the above from Tower Hobbies on line. http://www.towerhobbies.com/ The above are under construction, so are not the finished product. The tubing you see is used to couple the drive shaft to the motor. It is fuel line for a RC gas motor. Our rules for the construction were listed before in a past News Update and will be posted on the registration page, but are listed below. Aristocraft FA-130 Motor. Dumas #3001 2 blade plastic prop Battery can be 1 - Standard 9V Alkaline Battery, or up to 6 Type D,C, AA, or AAA batteries. Max Length 13.8" width 3.5" Battery on-off switch. No manufactured toy boat bodies Other than that, your design is up to you including material, shaft angle, etc. If you want to make an air boat, the propeller is limited to one used on a standard .049 gas engine for RC airplanes. My wife teaches 6th grade science and has an after-school science club. They are building 6 boats. Win or lose, this is all for fun and they will learn just like the rest of us. This is how they get started in boating! PROJECT PHOTOS * Please send me some pictures of your projects you are working on and I will also place them in a News Update! Hopefully, they will be done by the time Muscatine rolls around in 3 months. PAST SHOW VIDEOS * KTRP Video has videos available from the past year's events if you are interested and you can contact me and I will be happy to get you Steve's contact information. You can then work out the price and mailings with Steve or see Steve at the 2010 event for delivery. REGISTRATIONS * The registration forms are now open on the website and we encourage you to get your registrations completed. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. For those who have registered, make sure you have received the confirmation after you click the submit button on the registration page. This ensures we have received your registration. SHOW INFORMATION * Check the website Maps/Lodging Page for motel information, website links, and maps with their show reduced room rates. If you are new to the show and our website, check out all of the tabs as we will always be updating them. We will also be adding the new Chapter tab which will have bios on the new members, with boats, and Newsletters, etc. Therefore check us out at www.muscatineboatshow.com.
Dave

Feburary 01, 2010

News Update #4
Headlines

Event Schedule to include some new events!
New ACBS Chapter Meeting this Saturday!
2010 Event Posters are completed and will be posted to
website this week!

The entries for this year's event have started to come in and we have had our second planning meeting which occurs every two weeks and then weekly as the event gets closer. I am really excited to be a part of an organizing team who comes up with ideas for you that will make this show one you do not want to miss. How many events have a lighted boat parade? Well that is just one of the new events we will be doing. This is going to be fun!

This year we will have 2 different opportunities for Lock and Dam Cruises for you to pre register for, and will also have some pontoons going along to take those of you who may not have a secure bottom in your boat, or car, motorcycle, or tractor participants. The pontoon quantities are numbered so if interested get you name in early. The first cruise will be Friday afternoon and the second Saturday morning. We plan to go through Lock and Dam #16 and up the Illinois side of the Mississippi to Andulusia, IL and back. We also may be stopping along the way for refreshments. For those of you who do not go out with your boats, Tom and Ann Meeker have volunteered to take participants on their Pearl Button Excursion boat located right in the park on Friday and Saturday evening for a cruise under the Muscatine Bridge at dusk. This cruise is nice since you can see the city lights and go under the Muscatine Bridge for some great pictures of the LED lighting on the bridge. They serve refreshments and goodies of all kinds. They will also be taking people out on Saturday and Sunday during the day, but the Friday and Saturday evening cruises are just for participants. We want to make sure you will have opportunities to go on the Mississippi if your boat is not water worthy.

Also this year John Hintermeister has been working to try to get a Venetian Nights Boat outing for Saturday evening after dark so if you want to put lights on your boat be a part of the fun, start planning now. This again is free and the more the merrier. We will have a pontoon with a beacon light for people to follow and maybe some extra lighting to be determined.

There will be many events to keep you entertained this year every minute of the day! This is going to be fun!

As I had stated in our last News Update, we are starting a new chapter of the Antique and Classic Boating Society (ACBS) that will have members from the eastern part of Iowa and western part of Illinois. Again, if you are interested in becoming a member of this chapter we will be meeting this coming Saturday, Feb 6th at the Button Factory in Muscatine, Iowa at 3:00 pm for our first meeting to determine what direction we want to go. If you want more information feel free to contact John Hintermeister at h.and.k@machlink.com or myself at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. If you are interested we need you at this meeting. We will not expect perfect attendance and this is just a fun chapter, but we need to know interest at this first meeting so be there even if for a short period of time. If you cannot be there call or contact John or myself.

Also this Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa ( about 45 miles from here) there will be the 7th Annual Antique Outboard Show at Kennedy Marine from 8:00am to 1:00pm directly across from Hawkeye Downs just off of Hwy 30. The Hawkeye Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club will be sponsoring this event and for more info call Perry Wendel at 319-848-4394. You will still have time to get from Cedar Rapids to Muscatine easily for the 3:00 meeting at the Button Factory and fellowship if you are interested in doing both.

With that being said the registration forms are now open on the website and we encourage you to get your registrations completed. The registration is free as in the past for all events and for your keel or wheels. I also want to repeat that we have also checked with all of our lodging providers and they have secured their room rates. The room rates are shown on the Maps/Lodging page of the website along with all of their contact information and website links for you to pick from.

Also if you are new to the show and our website, check out all of the tabs as we will always be updating them. We will be updating our sponsor pages, we have aerial views of the park, maps to get everywhere along with main stores if you need anything, dining guides, photo gallery, etc. etc.. Therefore check us out at www.muscatineboatshow.com

Dave

January 20, 2010

We are open for business!
News Update #3

Our first team meeting has taken place and many new ideas are coming out to give you a great time here in Muscatine.

Well we had our first meeting and have been making big strides toward settling the events list, permitting, and many other things for this year's event. We are looking forward to this year and each year we try to have more things for your entertainment. This year we are looking at two different guided tours on the Mississippi for you to take your boats and go through the Lock and Dam #16 with us and on up the Mississippi to either the Fairport Landing or through a backwater channel to Andalusia, IL. This trip will take you through areas where you will see bald eagles, blue herring, deer, and many other forms of Mississippi wildlife. This will not be a full out tour even though we will have a chance to open them up some on the way to the chute to the Andalusia Slough as the Mississippi is a mast body of water. Once we get to the Slough we will have a slow guided tour with some of our locals answering questions and keeping you in the right path through the backwater that is only known by the locals for water depth. The main channel between the buoys is always deep enough for boating, but the locals here know those secluded areas where the wind never touches and most of the times there are no boats.

We are also looking at night time tours on our new excursion boat the Pearl Button for those of you wanting to go on the Mississippi that have static displays, cars, motorcycles, or antique tractors. As some of you know we have a LED lighted bridge here in Muscatine shown below that is pretty neat to go under at night and watch it turn different colors. Good photo opportunities at night. The Pearl Button excursion boat here in Muscatine will also have cocktail cruises and others available during the day for our visitors.

We also will have a concert in the park Saturday afternoon we are looking at and as in the past there will be golden oldies dance bands across the street from the park on Friday and Saturday night with a possible street dance.

Darrell Bush the world famous painter will be back with his paintings and prints and will also do paintings of your special toy if you are interested. Check out his work at http://www.darrellbushart.com . Darrell has won numerous awards and check out his classic paintings. If you contact Darrell, he also has painted many personal vehicles and boats for many people and would be happy to make your classic become canvas art.

As in the past we will also be having the cardboard boat regatta and paddle boat regatta. This is a great time and we will again be running 2 rounds of competition.

Also due to the increase in interest of rebuilding boats in our area, we are starting a new chapter of the Antique and Classic Boating Society (ACBS) that will have members from the eastern part of Iowa and western part of Illinois. In an interest letter sent out we have received close to 30 positive responses and that is great. It is always nice to have people local to bounce ideas off of when rebuilding a boat. There are around 16 or 17 boats in this area under construction right now. If you are interested in becoming a member of this chapter we will be meeting Feb 6th at the Button Factory in Muscatine, Iowa for our first meeting to determine what direction we want to go. If you want more information feel free to contact John Hintermeister at h.and.k@machlink.com or myself at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com. This is exciting and this year's Muscatine event will be our first event as a chapter if paperwork is completed and we are chartered before then.

With that being said the registration forms are now open on the website and we encourage you to get your registrations completed. The registration is free as in the past and we have also checked with all of our lodging providers and they have secured their room rates. The room rates are shown on the Maps/Lodging page of the website along with all of their contact information and website links for you to pick from.

In the next News Update our new 2010 poster and shirt design will be shown along with all of the new news that will make this show better than ever!

Dave

PS:
Bob Wayt is at home and recovering nicely from his heart attack. Now just to slow him down a little to get back on his feet as the doctors say! Bob is doing good and just needs some recuperation time, so keep him in your prayers and we will see him in May!

January 01, 2010

Happy New Year!
News Update #2

Well we are starting to get things in place for our 2010 event. As I had stated before the race boats will not have a formal APBA testing session this year but will be back for 2011. We will have our 4th annual Cardboard and Paddle Boat Regatta as in the past which has become a crowd favorite. I was trying to think of another form of racing that those of you from afar may be able to participate in. Paul Morris had told me at one time about some little boats that kids could build as a craft at the event. Well let's face it, we are all big kids at heart otherwise we wouldn't get the big smiles on our faces when redoing old boats, cars, motorcycles, or tractors. Difference is we like to see them powered! How many of you are sitting in the house with it below zero wishing there was something you could do inside the house. You do not want to really fire up the heat in the shop. Well here is something you can build for less than $10 and a little ingenuity. With it you may be able to win bragging rights as the 1st Annual Gutter Drag Boat Racing Grand Champion. As shown below we have found an added attraction to do at our event. We will be setting up a boat drag racing course that will consist of side by side gutters filled with water. There will be timed runs and the quickest time in various categories will win cash prizes. Shown below is a 1.7 second gutter drag boat champ on a 5 meter long course.

Our rules for the construction are pretty simple. All of the following are available on line or at your local hobby shop. The sealed electric motor must be a Mabuchi FA-130 Cermag Motor from Aristo Craft. (The motor cost $2.89 and comes with mounts etc. from Tower Hobbies and also at your local hobby shops.) The prop must be a Dumas #DUM3001 2 blade plastic prop.($1) The battery to be 1 - Standard 9V Alkaline Battery, or up to 6 Type D,C, AA, or AAA batteries. Max Length 9" width 3.5" Battery on-off switch. No manufactured toy boat bodies Other than that your design is up to you including material, shaft angle, etc. If you want to make an air boat the propeller is limited to one used on a standard .049 gas engine for RC airplanes. This being our first year with this event will be a learning experience, but we will have fun no matter what, and that is what the event is about! There is no cost to run your boats and we will have timers. If interested we may make an unlimited class, (sounds fun to me) for exhibition. Unlimited will allow any electric motor along with unlimited length, width still limited due to width of gutter.

We have notified all of the different periodicals and the website is being updated. The next issues will have us listed and the website registration page will be opened next week so you can start to register next week. As I stated in the last News Update this year promises to be a laid back time and we have the whole park reserved to place people everywhere. The area by the Riverview Center that was under construction last year has been completed and is all new concrete with railing to match the rest of the park. This is where we will have the gutter drag boat course. We are also working on the informal boat cruises for those wanting a guided tour of the Mississippi. We will also have plenty of room for a swap meet so bring your goods and spread the word. The new poster for 2010 along with a new event shirt will be featured shortly. If you have any questions at all feel free to contact me directly at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com Again, the days are getting longer and May will be here soon! Happy New Year! Dave

December 20, 2009

We are a Go! Muscatine May 14-16, 2010!
News Update #1


In my last News Update, Muscatine for 2010 was not going to take place. After numerous e-mails from event participants and John Hintermeister, Steve Kuenkel, Lee Hanson, and others stepping up, we are go for Muscatine in 2010. I was honest in my last update that I would not be able to dedicate full time to a 2010 event, but when approached by the City of Muscatine and those above, I have told them I will help them to give you a at 2010 event. There will be a few changes for the 2010 event. Due to the economy and wanting to give the volunteers a break, we will not be running the race boats for 2010, but they will be back for 2011. This year will be a show only, but the racing boats are invited to come and take part as they have always been a part of the event and as you know, this event is for them too! We will be posting the May 14-16, 2010 date in the different periodicals and the website will be updated. This year, we will have the Mississippi open to all of you to enjoy and are looking at other events while you are here to enjoy Muscatine, The cardboard boat regatta will be organized by Mississippi Brew to again take place at high noon on Saturday. They are the ones shown below as the Brewstones who are the defending cardboard boat regatta champions. The high school physics class actually tied them in 2009 and in a run off the Brewstones won. The high school physics classes and others will do all they can for 2010 to take the trophy away!

This year promises to just be a laid back time and we have the whole park reserved to place people everywhere. The area by the Riverview Center that was under construction last year has been completed and is all new concrete with railing to match the rest of the park. We will also have an informal boat cruise a couple of times for those wanting a guided tour of the Mississippi.

Registration will again be done on line at the website at www.muscatineboatshow.com. We will not be making the pre-typed registration cards this year, but will have a dated registration card and we will complete when you arrive. Stay tuned for updates and get your registrations in today. It is the same as in the past and we can't wait to see you all. There will also be a new poster for 2010 which is underway along with a new event shirt.

In closing, thank you to the guys above who have stepped forward to help with the upfront, behind the scenes requirements for this event. This event would not have been able to happen for 2010 without your help. As always we will have our show co directors to help you along with a group of hardworking volunteers. We appreciate your support for this event. I have come to realize that this event has truly become the kick off for many of you for the boat show season, and many friendships have developed at this show. We can't let this stop, and we are on to give you a great show! Room rates for the event will be secured for participants at a reduced rate within the next two weeks and the Lodging Link on our website will be updated. We are fired up and we have more exciting news coming shortly. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Dave PS: Bob Wayt, who many of you know that ran his flat bottom Biesmeyer at the past events, just had a heart attack Thursday and had surgery to get him back on his feet. I called him to let him know we are all thinking of him. He is doing good and just needs some recuperation time, so keep him in your prayers and we will see him in May!

Archived News (Click links below)

2009 - News

2008 - News

2007 - News

Any questions or suggestions feel free to contact Dave Moritz at moritzdavid@stanleygroup.com or 563-260-1970.

Last Week's Boat #1

Boat #2

Boat #3