MOB News

Fillinger’s Meet

January 20^th, 2007

On Saturday, January 20^th, with blue skies and cold temperatures, about 45 members came out for the first meet of the 2007 season for the MOB Chapter. It was again held at Fillinger’s Marina in Monticello, Indiana. The Fillinger family hosted the event and a big thank you goes out to them for allowing us to have such a great time at their shop. There were 23 motors on display, from a 1915 Evinrude, two Elto Ruddertwins, an original 1928 Elto Quad, a 1928 Johnson PR-40, a Clarke Troller, a British Sea Gull, and an assortment of other motors. Terry Aeschliman brought a Purple Martin, not a bird but an interesting paint job on a Martin outboard!

Stuart Fillinger allowed us the use of the shops test tank and it was put to good use. The two Ruddertwins saw action in the tank and made quite a bit of smoke. Alan Nacke brought the 1928 Elto Quad which he got from the original owners son. Some years ago, it was sent back to the factory to be refurbished and has not been touched other than to be run by the original owner until now. Last year, at the MOB meet held at Appenzeller’s in March of 2006, the owner drove past our meet and decided to drive home and bring back his father’s outboard for us to see. At that time, he was not interested in selling it but a persistent Mr. Nacke finally talked the owner into selling the motor. Now with the newly acquired outboard at our meet, Alan wanted Jay Walls to fire off the motor. A huge crowd gathered around the test tank as the adjustments were made to the motor. Everyone was smiling when Jay coaxed the motor back to life. Among the other motors that saw the test tank were a Johnson A-35 and a Martin 60 with an open exhaust.

After lunch, the business meeting was conducted by our chapter President, Jay Walls. Many different topics were brought on the floor including discussing the making of new signs for the side of the road. Door prizes were awarded and the 50/50 drawing was held. The highly coveted MOB dash plaques were handed out for members who displayed a motor. Also the farthest distance award was given out to Gene and Nellie Gruender who traveled all the way from Sturgeon, Missouri to pick up some motors and attend the meet.

In the swap and sell area, a few motors exchanged hands and found new homes. The meet lasted until the middle of the afternoon and one by one, the crowd dwindled down to just a handful. It was a wonderful meet and a welcome relief from the winter weather. The next meet is the Galveston meet scheduled for February 17^th.

See Ya On The Water,

Rick Eichrodt

MOB Correspondent