Back in August, Maria and I took up trip to upstate NY, it was a dual purposed trip;
1. visit Maria's cousin's family
2. visit Pencil Brook Farm to pick up the Tom Miller duckboat.
But then a month later, another vintage hull is posted on FB. It appeared to me to be an Ice Scooter, with the mast step but it also had folding oarlocks? I reached out to the owner, but did not get an immediate response.
A couple weeks later, I get a message that the house has been sold, and could I get the hull within the week. This was on the 4th and starting the 6th of October we were going to be with 2 of our grandshildren while Mom was delivering their baby sister! I reached out to Anthony for an assist, but he was not available, so I responded that I would drive up Friday and meet.
The trip from Northern VA to West Hampton, pulling a boat trailer is not easy. I had to install "Hammer" truckers app to plot a route that would keep me off the parkways.... of course that put me through NY city and the LI Expressway. And there was traffic the whole way!
But it was worth it! When I arrived in West Hampton, I met Freddy Reaver. He aquired the Gil Smith Ice Scooter from the Dennison family in 1972. The Dennison family reportedly had the scooter build for them by Gil Smith, one of maybe 3 that he built, better known for his Cat Boats, and other sailing boats.
Fortunately the hull has been protected from the weather and is very sound. Unfortunately it was not protected from the rats and raccoons and is full of crap!
We managed to load up the hull, and then a multitude of spars, oars, and sails were added to the load. Freddy was happy to have a good home for some of these items and was quite generous.
After it was loaded, and tied down safely, I sat with Freddy, and let him talk as I took some notes. He related his waterfowl history and family history of the area. His grandfather, Leslie Tooker was partners with Rab Staniford, at Quogue Wildfowler, Freddy working around the shop as a boy! Sure enough when I got home and opened the Wildfowler book, a picture of Les Tooker is noted, along with Freddy being named!
More history digging will ensue, but for now here is the Scooter and Freddy.....
It is safely wrapped up and remains on LI until I bring it home after the SSWA show on the 25th.
Both of these hull will be carefully tucked away until next Summer at the earliest. I have 2 other boats that I need to finish before I address these.
1. visit Maria's cousin's family
2. visit Pencil Brook Farm to pick up the Tom Miller duckboat.
But then a month later, another vintage hull is posted on FB. It appeared to me to be an Ice Scooter, with the mast step but it also had folding oarlocks? I reached out to the owner, but did not get an immediate response.
A couple weeks later, I get a message that the house has been sold, and could I get the hull within the week. This was on the 4th and starting the 6th of October we were going to be with 2 of our grandshildren while Mom was delivering their baby sister! I reached out to Anthony for an assist, but he was not available, so I responded that I would drive up Friday and meet.
The trip from Northern VA to West Hampton, pulling a boat trailer is not easy. I had to install "Hammer" truckers app to plot a route that would keep me off the parkways.... of course that put me through NY city and the LI Expressway. And there was traffic the whole way!
But it was worth it! When I arrived in West Hampton, I met Freddy Reaver. He aquired the Gil Smith Ice Scooter from the Dennison family in 1972. The Dennison family reportedly had the scooter build for them by Gil Smith, one of maybe 3 that he built, better known for his Cat Boats, and other sailing boats.
Fortunately the hull has been protected from the weather and is very sound. Unfortunately it was not protected from the rats and raccoons and is full of crap!
We managed to load up the hull, and then a multitude of spars, oars, and sails were added to the load. Freddy was happy to have a good home for some of these items and was quite generous.
After it was loaded, and tied down safely, I sat with Freddy, and let him talk as I took some notes. He related his waterfowl history and family history of the area. His grandfather, Leslie Tooker was partners with Rab Staniford, at Quogue Wildfowler, Freddy working around the shop as a boy! Sure enough when I got home and opened the Wildfowler book, a picture of Les Tooker is noted, along with Freddy being named!
More history digging will ensue, but for now here is the Scooter and Freddy.....
It is safely wrapped up and remains on LI until I bring it home after the SSWA show on the 25th.
Both of these hull will be carefully tucked away until next Summer at the earliest. I have 2 other boats that I need to finish before I address these.
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