Nautique Reunion

[Nolealum]

Headed down on Saturday. Kids want to see Austin Keene!


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[rolleronariver]

That comment triggered a response in me. I pondered it for a day or so, and then decided to try to put it into words. Other than my real family, my correct craft family, or more accurately my CorrectCraftFan family is the closest family I have. We are so much more than faceless posts on an internet forum. CCF has been around for about 14 or 15 years. Early on and then more and more through the years, we get together for real, face to face. Regular gatherings in Wisconsin, New England, Florida, White Lake NC and Badin Lake NC. 20, 30 or 40 or more people including wives girlfriends and kids. 10-20 or more boats. Skiing, rafting, eating, a few cocktails. People travel many states away to get together and we have had folks join in from Europe, Argentina and Australia. We admire old boats that have been restored to showroom condition, as well as the well worn but still very functional boats, and we chip in to get some old tug running that hasnt run in years. We learn, we teach, we laugh. We have been to CCF weddings, including one where one member was the officiant for another CCF couple. At another wedding, a dozen guys were huddled around an old Promo that had made its way from out west to the mid west to NY, to get that boat running, a mere few hours before putting on clean clothes (including the groom) and heading to the wedding. Sadly, we have been to a couple funerals. One of our members from Maine bought a boat in Texas. Another member, who was travelling from Florida to North Carolina said, well, its on the way, I'll swing over to Texas and pick it up for you and hold on to it till spring when you come down for the White Lake gathering. Beyond the organized gatherings, CCFs are always getting together whenever their travels take them to another members area, or in my case or the Lanier guys or the Chicago area guys on almost a weekly basis. Sometimes you meet someone you dont know or only know from online posts, but you throw them the keys or have them pull you or jump behind the boat with them for a double barefoot run and its like you've been ski buds for years. Its funny how well we click. For the most part, but not exclusively its guys that like old boats. Its kind of a bell curve of boats. A few from the 50s, (some real beauties) more from the 60s, true classics, most from the 70s and 80s with the 70s vintage 16 footers (like I have) being hugely popular and admired, then some 90s and then some new ones. We have a few SANs in the mix, 210s, and even a couple 200 sports. But no mega wake barges. People like to slalom and barefoot mostly, some trick skiers, a few wake boarders and the rare surfer. None of us are pros, no one is full of themself, we all just seem to have a similar blend of joy out of old boats and weekend warrior water sports. Teaching and learning is always an enjoyable 2 way street. We are well represented at the annual New Years Day Barefoot tourney in Charlotte NC and have fielded a team for a couple of years at the Buckethead Barefoot Endurance race in Ohio. I had a relatively contemporary ski boat many years ago, but when I bought, what is now a 42 year old ski tique 14 years ago and got mixed up with the CCF knuckleheads, it was like a complete rebirth of my passion for boats and skiing. I've had a blast with these guys, have great friends from one end of the country to the other, and am always anxious for the next occasion to get together. So, as far as it feeling like family, its what you make it.

I was gong to try to gather and compile a bunch of pictures that illustrate the times we have together, but there are hundreds of them and I just dont have the time now, but I invite you to look at some of the first few videos here to get an idea of some of the times we've had together.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rFz2MF9tqHE1Y3

Which is why I spend a ton of time on that forum! I’m very thankful for those guys in there.