Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Sassparilla Kid and I were planning on working on my ol' Dodge pickup last weekend (finishing up replacing the heads). Alas... to quote ol' Bobby Burns, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley." The lad had to work Saturday. And Sunday we were busy collecting his "new" toy - a 1979 17' Correct Craft ski boat. On old friend of ours had bought it new, enjoyed it, then parked it in his shop back in 2003. The Ford 302 has 511 hours on the Hobbs meter, and the craft has always been impeccably maintained. Actually, when not on the water, it's been been stored indoors it's entire life. Bobby (our buddy, not Burns) and the Kid wheeled it outside and hosed the dust off. They plunked in a fresh battery, plugged a garden hose into the cooling system, poured in a bit of fresh gas and primed the carb... and it fired up almost on the first crank. Well, Bobby, who has three fishing boats and is now in his late 60's, decided he needed the shop space. He's known the Kid since he (the Kid) was in Kindergarten, and sold it to him for the princely sum of $2,500. "I had my fun with it... it's your turn!" And, although the stickers aren't on the hull, the registration is current. He has a few things to do (re-pack the stuffing boxes, swap in a new impeller and replace cooling jacket gaskets), but a weekend of tinkering and he'll be putting it on the river. Oh. And just for giggles, Bobby threw in a pair of Honda Trail 90's. One of 'em's a bit of a "basket case," but the Kid's already torn down the engine and started ordering parts. Now, the Rest Of the Story: Bobby was diagnosed a bit over two years ago with stage 4 cancer. A lifelong gardener and landscaper, he 90% retired as soon as he was diagnosed. Now he works hard when he's able, and devotes most of his time to his family, friends, and having as much fun as he can. He has chemo treatments every two weeks; they literally knock him on his ass for nearly a week. But on his "off" weeks he'll work hard for a few days, then he'll drag a boat to a mountain lake and fish, or ride one of his many motorcycles on long day trips. "Think I'll go to the coast for lunch tomorrow!" or "Boy! The trout were really biting at Mammoth Pools yesterday!" He almost never stops smiling, and his doctors are pretty much amazed at his tenacity. Meanwhile, the man just steams along... last week I told him "Bobby, you are without a doubt the healthiest sick man I've ever known!" That brought a grin and a laugh. Anyway, if anyone might have some good thoughts or a prayer to add to ours, it'll be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cider Creek Shootist Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Prayers and best wishes sent.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 That is some boat! Just some thoughts on that boat: - Replace the engine compartment fan for evacuating gasoline fumes, if it hasn’t been replaced in a while. - If that boat has a fuel line water separator you might want to check that out. - If there’s a way, get a look at the inside of the hull, especially near the bow to make sure the inside looks as good as the outside. Bob sounds like a great guy. And here I got up this morning grumbling because I am sick of wearing this thing (wrist brace) for the past 7 weeks since I busted up my arm. I will remember him in my nightly prayer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 My older son had a speed boat with what looked like a 260 Ford V-8 in it, but had Mercury badging on it. That thing would scoot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 If he lives in California, I would suggest he investigate a certain kind of "oil", that is available/legal there, to take for his stage 4. My wife was diagnosed with stage 4, in 2016, and refused chemo. She is still here, and we think the "oil" is one reason. Just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Over/under this side of the fishin' hole those Honda Trail 90' are commonly known as "postie bikes" because our Australia Post used them for suburban mail deliveries, Postal workers were allowed to ride them along footpaths and the like to deliver into letter boxes without dismounting. This is still the practice although they no longer use the "agricultural" version. The original version from Honda was called the "Ag 90" and had a dual range gearbox, later upgraded to 110cc. These machines have become something of a "cult" amongst some of our "crisis" aged gentlemen (middle age crisis) and restored or just "fixed-up" machines are in demand. They are the sort of thing that you duck down to the corner shop to get milk and bread on. Can you imagine going to the local "hang out" and being intimidated by a bunch of 60s and 70s year old motorcyclists on "postie" bikes ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joke 'um Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Bobby seems to be a truly admirable fellow. My best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derringer Dan Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 What a great story. Prayers up for continued healing and the obvious love of life. Kudos to ya Bobbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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