Large Scale Central

Water Skiing

Other Hobbies
#1

My family has water skied since 1963. That year [Sophomore in HS] my year project in woodshop was a boat.

The family wore out 5motors and two trailers with the boat. Finally it was given to a cousin for continued use when I started using tournament ski boats. In 1985 we joined the local water ski club. Shortly after, I became one of the drivers and Susie became one of the pyramid climbers. In 1989, my first MasterCraft was bought from the Pro-ski tour National Championship group. It was quickly pressed into service as a tow boat for our ski shows. Power was a 455ci Chev.

Susie is the second from left in the middle level.

In 1998 the opportunity to buy Scott Ellis’ promo boat [Nat. Ski Flying Champion] raised its head. The Carter’s had a new boat. This one is powered by a 502ci tunnelport FI Chev. The new boat was used until 2002 for ski club activites and family. Then I retired from the club as a driver [cancer had something to do with it]. The '98 MasterCraft is still in Wally-service with the family pulling Susie and the grandkids. The '98 MasterCraft:

JimC.

#2

Jimbo,
I am fascinated by that boat you built when you were 15. Given today’s educational standards, that is truly amazing, though it was deriguer back then.

#3

Those were some of my favorite shows at Cypress Gardens and Seaworld in Orlando. Building a boat in shop class was quite an accomplishment…hope you got an A+ on it…:wink:

#4

Well Jim,

That is quite an accomplishment from both the building and driving skill. I’m impressed.

#5

My parents grew up on a recreational lake in Western NY, as did I. My father still has an old Evninrude V-twin in the basement at home. I asked about re-building a wood boat in shop class and was told the liability was too high in the early 80’s. (sigh)

I can remeber the family down the lake from my mother’s side of teh family were extremely avid water skiers with ramps and slalom courses set up. They eventually went to florida where they became part of a show someplace?

My father still has his parents cottage but my mother parents sold theirs years ago. I’ve not water skiied in a long time and doubt I could even get out of the water now!

I did propose to my wife in the old family ski boat several years ago though!

Great photos!

Chas

#6

Jim, your story brought back fond memories of many of my high school teachers in upstate New York, especially the ones who showed us how to tackle practical tasks and coached us in various sports. I marvel at how lucky we were to have such dedicated men taking an interest in us.

My guess is a 15-year-old would’ve needed a bit of help from his teachers to build a quality boat. I hope you have similar good recollections of your mentors.

#7

Wow! An ambitious project in my shop class was a letter opener.

#8

Thank you for the nice comments.

Ronnie Addams, my HS Shop Teacher played an important role in my life as a teen. He was my teacher, friend, and mentor. Mr.Addams and my father were good friends. Mr. Addams passed on five years ago. His wife shipped the Ocean Marine archetect drawings the boat was built from, that he had kept all these years, to me while clearing out his home shop.

Wood working skills were not the only thing I learned from “Addams.” He had a farm, house painting business, and was an avid fisherman as well. From him, in the summers I learned how to harvest and stack hay, paint houses, and string a trot-line. I was a “town Kid.” Through him, I learned about pasture ranges, cattle, and a whole range of knowledges that otherwise I wouldn’t have been exposed to.

The boat took many weekend, holiday and afterschool hours to complete in the school year. It was also completely laminated with three coats of fiberglas cloth/resin, inside and out. I was the forerunner to the training of the Karate Kid with “Rub on, Rub off” as the fiberglas had to be sanded to a perfectly smooth even surface.

Yes, I got an “A” in shop. All of the above activities also greatly improved my strength for football season.

I dedicate this thread to Mr. Addams.

JimC.

#9
Jim Carter said:
Thank you for the nice comments.

Ronnie Addams, my HS Shop Teacher played an important role in my life as a teen. He was my teacher, friend, and mentor. Mr.Addams and my father were good friends. Mr. Addams passed on five years ago. His wife shipped the Ocean Marine archetect drawings the boat was built from, that he had kept all these years, to me while clearing out his home shop.

Wood working skills were not the only thing I learned from “Addams.” He had a farm, house painting business, and was an avid fisherman as well. From him, in the summers I learned how to harvest and stack hay, paint houses, and string a trot-line. I was a “town Kid.” Through him, I learned about pasture ranges, cattle, and a whole range of knowledges that otherwise I wouldn’t have been exposed to.

The boat took many weekend, holiday and afterschool hours to complete in the school year. It was also completely laminated with three coats of fiberglas cloth/resin, inside and out. I was the forerunner to the training of the Karate Kid with “Rub on, Rub off” as the fiberglas had to be sanded to a perfectly smooth even surface.

Yes, I got an “A” in shop. All of the above activities also greatly improved my strength for football season.

I dedicate this thread to Mr. Addams.

JimC.


Can’t say if you got a lump in your throat writing that.

I sure got one reading it.