Out for a Sunday drive

While JBear and Backfoot can still get out on the water during their Florida winter, us northerners are left to daydream about spring. I ventured out to the lake this weekend to check on the boat and give the steering wheel a crank, so I took the camera along. Theres no getting down to the cottage by car until the hill thaws, and then hardens again- usually sometime in April. You can see our driveway across the street from my truck.



Nothing exciting to report, but noticed a bunch of ice fisherman enjoying the 50 degree day. My steering cable hadn’t frozen yet, and no critters had made a home in my boat as far as I can tell, so the dryer sheets must be doing their job. On the way home, I decided to take a detour to another local lake.   Its a much larger lake than ours, and there was a Correct Craft dealer there until about 15 years ago. My grandfather purchased our ’68 Mustang there (new), so there are a lot of vintage CC’s on the lake. I took a drive around looking for something interesting, and found a few CC’s braving the elements.

~1987 2001:


’89 2001:


80/81 Ski Nautique:


Thankfully, the rest of the local CC’s were stored out of the weather, or at least out of sight. With the lake lowered for the winter, I only saw one boat still on a lift. Figures it would be a MC ;)



I also swung by the place where the old CC dealership used to be. I had high hopes of finding some treasures, as I remember seeing several older boats still stored on the lot years after the place had closed (a late 60’s Mustang SS comes to mind), but the lot has since been cleared. Nothing left but a mostly empty warehouse.



It sure doesnt beat a day on the water, but not a bad way to spend a January afternoon in New England.

Barracuda wrote: Tim, my 86er had a Barrett sticker on it...That must be the delearship it was purchased from- kinda dumpy...

Good to see that the hotel internet is up and running.

From what I remember, the place looked worse when it was in business. At least now the lot is clean! Unfortunately, they had an equally distasteful attitude- my dad tells me they were a pain to deal with in '68, and even worse when it came to buy the '88. My dad and uncle decided to drive down to Overtons (in NC) to pick up a boat instead. Its no wonder they lost the dealership.

What a cool day Tim...thanks for sharing it. Musta been fun. As fun as it looks tho...I'm glad I got to spend Saturday with Eddie testing my new prop.

john

I don't know about trading...but you know you are welcome any time you get tired of snow and need a warm long weekend. Just bring your b-foot suit. Helps to be thirsty too...just ask HW.

john

Same here today Rob, don't worry they are saying snow by the end of the week.

TRBenj wrote: M3Fan wrote: Great pics- and what a nice looking car! Cool looking car topper too- is that a ski tote of some sort? Thanks The box is handy to have- Ive used it to move the ski platform, boom, snow skis, waterskis, etc. It'll make the trip to GL for sure. The only bummer is that I cant fit in the garage with it on now that the lift is installed. JBear, I would have traded places with you if I could!

Lift kit? Man, you're out of control. What's next on the 4Runner? Dual exhaust?

Nice pics tim, that looks way to cold for me, I thought you stored your boat inside with your dads!

Jbear...how did that prop work out for you?

Nice pics Tim. I'll bet a very nice place when you can have the boat in the water. It's nice to see that all those inboards have been put to bed properly. At least from what the pics show. Even the MC had a cover on it anyway. Better than a few other pics that we've seen in here in the past.

Nice looking ride too. It looks as nice as your boats look.

Thanks guys.

Joel, I still dont like the hood but Im a fan of the wheels and lack of spoiler. Of course I cant leave well enough alone, so I leveled the truck (2" front, 1" rear) and added the color grill. The difference is subtle, but I like the look. The front took a spacer kit and I added some longer FJ Cruiser coils to the rear when I put the air bags in. Should be a better setup for towing now.

Brad, dont knock the Maxima- I would have kept that car if I could! It was a fun car to drive, but the 4Runner tows the boat better.

MM, the '90 is inside the garage at the cottage, but my dad keeps his at his house. The Tique is in the back yard and has to brave the elements like the boats shown above... I gotta figure out something better for next year!

Eddie, our cottage has been in my dad's family since the 20's- theres nowhere Id rather be in the summer!

Tim-

Great shots. Thanks for sharing.

I agree, the 4Runner looks great!

Kyle

Tim,
Nice pics.
That is the nicest topper I've seen. If I replace the Thule on my Expedition with one of those, I'll get 17mpg?
Sweet!
Steve

Tim imagine how boring it must be for jbear.Just about every day he can go out when ever he likes, where as us in the Great White North get to dream and hope all winter long. And what besides cold are you with out hopes and dreams? Nice pic's tho,can you imagine what the start up cost today for a dealership?Could not get by with a building like that now.

Gary; Yes we are really bored here. Why I never know what to do on Saturdays...foot with Eddie or go ride the Harley. This wearing shorts and t-shirts to work every day is boring as well.
Liked the pic of your cool tractor. Sure scared me seeing all that cold stuff you were pushing with it.

Mark: Prop is awesome. The '80 was running 50mph by GPS ay 5000rpm with the Federal 13x14. Did not try the OJ 13x13 but will. With the Acme I can still run 50 but have to turn56oo to do it and I think I ain't gonna run the motor that hard. Pulled quicker to 30 and 40...awesome hole shot and runs smoother. So I really like it. Yeah it cost me a mile or 2 in top speed at 5k but the upside is well worth it.

Hi to Lisa and Keith.

john

Gary, youre right- not being able to boat/ski all winter makes it much sweeter when spring finally gets here.

Randy, there are a lot of buy-American guys here- but that doesnt bother me. Im happy with my truck and thats all that matters!

Tim, you bet its a V8- it was a big factor in my choosing the 4Runner over the Tacoma. I get 18-20mpg with warmer temps and summer gas, so no complaints. Yotatech is great, but its geared more towards the older generations. I check out T4R and 120 more often.

I get about the same with my Brougham.