Columbia Division Fun Run a smashing success

See photos of the Westmoreland New Years Fun Run here

Westmoreland Park in Portland proved to be a very popular place for model boats on New Year’s Day.

Eleven unlimited hydroplanes (in working order), two tugs and a couple of deep vee boats were in attendance at the event, which kicked off 2008 with a bunch of roostertails.

First on the water was Nelson Holmberg’s 1973 Red Man, sporting a new double-secret propeller from the Cougar Racing Team shop, and despite a few new pieces of hardware installed aboard the boat – in addition to a second motor, second speed control, and second radio box to the tool box – the Red Man, which completed several different runs, looks better than it did at the end of the 2007 season.

Mick Shutt’s 1976 Miss Vernor’s was on the water at the same time, but a slightly-bent drive shaft meant a trip to the bench for a replacement drive shaft. After that, though, the Vernor’s was screaming, even with AstroFlight power.

John Earnest took the Gale V out for a couple of silky smooth, and fast, runs. Kerry Kjos used the Fun Run as a chance to evaluate the Lipo collection, and decide what was needed for the future, as well as to get a little time behind the wheel himself.

Even Shutt’s 1972 Miss Budweiser jumped up on plane and ran quickly for a couple of laps, before it was decided that there were too many difficulties for the heavy wood hull to be a race boat. Mick says it’s got display duty in its future.

Dave Reiser ran the Breathless II under Lipo and brushless power for the first time, and the boat looked really good. When his brushless program gets all the bugs worked out, Reiser will be right in the thick of things, undoubtedly.

Jessie Shehan ran his St. Regis and Spirit of Dayton Walther hulls, testing new speed controls in each, as well as some minor changes and alterations to each hull. The Dayton Walther even sported new graphics.

Garry Finlay brought out four of his 1/16-scale boats for an exhibition that had the attention of everyone on the shore. Ron Billings and Roger May, two new soon-to-be members of the Columbia River Division, were also in attendance most of the day, picking up different tid-bits of information. May’s model of the 1961 Miss Madison is currently being completed in the boat shop of Craig Bradshaw, and May is understandably excited – he even got his hands on his first motor for the new boat at the Fun Run.

Famous hydro fan Skip Young attended the festivities, along with several neighbors and passers-by who stopped to see what the hub-bub was. Aimee Eng, a Portland architect who builds models, brought out her gorgeous tugboat (complete with working fire cannons) for all of us to see. She did a great job on the scratch-built boat. Reiser also brought along his own tug, in case it was needed for retreival duty. Fortunately, the pond was only a foot and a half deep, so wading was the order of the day for setting the course and picking up the one or two boats that couldn't make it back on their own. Shehan ran his deep vee once, and another neighbor brought out a Pro Boats deep vee to run, too.

All-in-all, it was a great New Year’s Day in Portland.

— Nelson Holmberg

And further north...

Annual Shady Lake New Year's Fun Run a Good Time for All

See photos of the Shady Lake New Years Fun Run here

Over a dozen ERCU members braved the cold, but otherwise clear winter day at the Shady Lake waterfront property of Rocky Peterson. The water stayed fairly flat with only an occasional chop all day. The boats that tested, ran well.

John Williams was first on the lake with his 1971 Miss Madison. John ran several times and the Madison looked good. Bob VandenAkker ran his 1960 Nitrogen Too, and he and Jeff Campbell both ran Bob’s new 1966 Miss Lapeer (Fifi) which is still unpainted. Judy Fenton showed off her new North Face parka and stayed warm as well.

Patrick Gleason ran his Thousand Trails (what's that in Jack Schaffer Jr.'s hand, Patrick?) for several very fast and stable laps, perhaps the fastest of the day. Kirk Pagel’s 1957 Shanty I went out with first Ralph Jorgenson and later Ron Daum at the controls. Both Ron & Ralph came without boats to run, as did Gale Whitstine, Mark Gran, Howard Price, Mike Campbell and Mike Gossler.

John Burkey brought his 1994 Smokin’ Joes, a work in progress for show & tell.

Ron Hornung had several successful laps with his Hurricane IV, before turning it over, and Bill Smiley ran the 1957 Miss Wahoo with a few mechanical woes and a blowover.

Jerry Bordon was on hand with the 1970 Parco’s O-Ring Miss, that he acquired from Patrick Gleason last year. New Member Ben Keller, who will be registering Roger Newton’s former 1957 Hawaii Kai was on hand to observe and learn. Ryan Bradshaw was there also, albeit without his Wayfarers Club Lady.

Craig Bradshaw brought his 1970 U-13 Miss Budweiser II and another work in progress, the 1961 Miss Madison he's building for Roger May, in it’s unpainted form.

After the test it was beer & pizza at Shakey’s in Fairwood, to end a productive day of testing.

— Intrepid Reporter Kirk Pagel