Whaler Project: We Got Seats!

Check out the brand new Tempress All-Weather Boat Seats in Marine White:

It's time to start putting this thing together! (if only the sun will come out..)

Whaler Project: Console

I have spent quite a bit of time shopping around for a suitable after-market console for the 15' Super Sport, but I couldn't find anything under $500. The best I found was the Todd Helmsman, which came with a windshield and grab rail, but it was still not cheap. I decided to troll EBay, and was fortunate enough a few weeks ago to find this steal for $175 with shipping:

Awesome. Can't wait to get this guy installed. I am thinking it will stay on the right side, same as the existing mahogany OEM console. I am getting a quote for a windshield - I think I can find a nice little Lexan job for not too much. This should handle the steering wheel, depthfinder, compass, GPS and gauges without any trouble. Oh, and a beer holder for the Cap'n..

Goose Dog

Ah, Thanksgiving. Good food, family, and duck season. Finally.

We took Dean out this weekend for his first waterfowl trip to Whitney Pond. As usual, the ducks were scarce but the Canadas were thick as thieves. Between Bill, Dad and I, two salvos of No. 2 brought down 2 geese from 2 separate flights. Dean promptly went after each one with unexpected vigor given the near-freezing temperature of the water. I think he was a little surprised at how big the birds were - once he had a little fun shaking the remaining life out of them, he paddled on back to the blind. So much fir his natural retrieving instinct.

Quail Shot Over Dean's Point, Riverbend SC 2010

Just a Bird Dog Kind of Day

Dean, Jim, Bill and I brought home 31 of 48 birds today - not bad for a rookie and a coupla has-beens. Not that any of the misses were Dean's fault - I don't think we lost a downed bird the whole day. Although this trip did highlight hte fact that although his ball-retrieving remains excellent, his desire to bring back a dead bird stops right after he playfully shakes it a few times. I guess it's time to get in the backyard with a wing-covered tennis ball for some retriveing work. Thanks to Ralph and Hank for a solid hunt. And thank God it wasn't snowing - the sunshine sure was nice!

Dean locks up on a nice point. Demise of 2 quail immediately follows.

(impressive action videos to follow)

Camp Lakewood

Dear Camp Director Rick,

Word on the dog circuit is that Camp Lakewood is the place to be. So when my parents started talking last night about going to Asheville this December 4th-6th for some work thing Mom has to do, I thought I would check and see if there is any space available for an enthusiastic ball-chasing camper such as myself. I am never aggressive with other dogs and tend to get along well with most any four legged animal, except for chipmunks because they are tasty and raccoons because they swat at me. Dad has lots of plans for me to go hiking that weekend with him and my brother but Mom said something about "being too much with a toddler" and that gives me hope that perhaps I could spend at least an afternoon enjoying the outside play pen and possibly the wonderful company of the other campers at Camp Lakewood. Please consider this as my application.

Warmest barking regards,
Dean Shaw

Ball-on-a-Rope

Dean loves tennis balls.. I love sitting on the back steps watching my brilliant invention entertain him on autopilot.