MOB News

Fall Meet

North Webster, Indiana

Saturday, September 15, 2006

By Rick Eichrodt

MOB Correspondent

The last wet meet of the 2006 season started off on a foggy note. Early in the day on Saturday, the lake was dense with fog and only the brave ventured out on the water. Members started to arrive at the lake around 8:00AM.

By the time I arrived at the site, the fog had almost dissipated and everyone was eager to make some blue smoke. The action on the water and display area was in full swing. There were about 10 boats on the water and lots of motors were seen out getting some last minute exercise. Sherman Caldwell had a beautiful 1929 Johnson S-45 out running and it had a sound all its own. Roger Alford and his brother Mick had matching red Mercury MK25 with a Lone Star aluminum boat. Dale Hume and his son unveiled their new Alumacraft boat. He ran three different motors on the back of his new boat. He was seen running out with both a Mercury MK20, Johnson A-25 and a Martin 20. Richard White ran his Neptune Twin. There were plenty of items looking for new homes in the “swap and sell” area. Some members took a new winter projects home. Under the pavilion about 15 motors, set up on stands, to be viewed by everyone there. Again this year, members joined in the pitch in lunch by bringing a covered dish to share. Stuart Fillinger was the master chef and had plenty of hot dogs and brats ready for the hungry MOB’sters. After the lunch, the awards were given out. New member, Steve Chandler won Favorite Classic Outboard with his Evinrude 3 Lightwin. Howard Fetterer, another new member, won the Favorite Boat Award with his 1968 Lyman. Rick Eichrodt won Favorite Antique with his original 1927 Minnesota Gopher.

The next award is the John Sudlow Trophy. Each year at the fall wet meet the award is given in honor of John Sudlow. It is awarded to the best running “small iron” outboard and is voted on by the entire membership who attends the meet. Any running outboard which was run on a boat, less than 30 cubic inch displacement, is eligible for the trophy. This year the trophy was awarded to Sherman Caldwell for his 1929 Johnson S-45. It was a gorgeous restored motor and was out on the water for most of the day.

After the awards were given out, Jay Walls, chapter president, held the 2007 elections of officers. Also on the agenda was the 2007 schedule of meets. Everyone who displayed a motor was given a nice metal plaque for their efforts. Jay concluded the business meeting and it was back on the water for the final wet meet of the 2006 season. Many of the members who didn’t have a boat went out on the water to view the sights and take in one last cruise around the lake. Things started to wrap up around 3:00PM in the afternoon and most of the members were gone by 5:00PM.

A huge “Thank You” goes out to Harry Brinkman for arraigning this site for the MOB wet meets. Harry had one again provided the MOB Chapter with such a wonderful place to hold a meet. North Webster is just up the street from Harry’s house and each year he takes time to reserve the pavilion at the City Park for our two wet meets.

One interesting display was set up by MOB’ster Jay Nolley. Jay told me about the two motors he brought. It seems that some years ago, a motor was lost overboard on Lake Webster. It was a Muncie single cylinder outboard. After some years, it was found and brought up from the bottom of the lake and given back to Jay. Apparently, Jay had an identical motor and had restored it. Jay brought both motors to show at the meet. In the pictures you will see Jay standing behind both of the motor, “the beauty and the beast”!

Thank Again Harry!

See Ya On The Water!

Rick Eichrodt