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I don't remember how or why we got interested in
boats but one day we went out and bought our first one which was a
runabout with a 80hp Johnson Outboard. We christened that one Bucket.
If you have any
form of disability but still have a bit of strength in your right
arm/hand borrow a boat. Pretend you are going to buy one and want a
test drive.
Boats give you a
huge sense of freedom as you can operate them straight up with
the hand throttle and throw your fucking wheelchair away for a few
hours.....I really miss this big time..
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Above: Herridges Lake. |
We spent a lot
of time at Herridge's Lake which was 27 klms North of
Northam.
This was a private lake and a big thanks goes to Rob
Herridge for allowing us to have so much fun on the lake.
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We mainly skied,
pulled other things, had BBQ's and started to spend time on
the water ways down at Mandurah.
We then moved up a bit and bought Roadrunner
which was fitted with a straight 6 150hp Mercury outboard. |
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Above.
Me, Alana and Kimberley with Buggsy the dog at Herridge's
Lake. |
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The photo
on the left was
taken in Fremantle Harbour. By now we pretty much took
Roadrunner everywhere with us.
Apart from exploring the Swan River we
were making regular trips to Mandurah where we bought a
block of land on the old canals at South Yunderup.
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Me, Kimberley and Jason in
Fremantle Harbour. |
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Roadrunner
started out with a 150hp straight 6 mercury on the back but
I came across an old friend, Peter Holland, who was racing
boats at the time.
So, as you do, I bought a worked V6
Mercury from him. Can't remember what the HP was but it was
a whole lot more.
When it came time to sell Roadrunner I think we put
another motor on the back and put the worked one in Peter
Holland's shop to sell on consignment. |
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Alana getting a bit of sun
at Mandurah.
November 1985. |
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My stepson Jason washing out the
Mercury V6. September 1986. |
 Come
to think of it I don't remember him passing on any money
from it so maybe it is still there :-)
Not sure where I pick
these 'friends' up from but then maybe I am a
mug and don't just look like one.Photo on the right was taken in the middle of the
Swan River after we got bogged in some smelly mud. "Not happy
John...." thinks Alana. |
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For me to get in the boat(s) we would
pull the boat sideways to the shore. Get the wheelchair
in close so I could then lift my bum up on
the side of the boat and then onto the top of the seat and then
I would slide down. I have been known to
go over backwards during this manoeuvre so having someone
behind me helped.
Here Max Chance is more or less ready
to catch me!!
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Photo taken at
Herridges Lake 19/5/1985 |
next >> Connelly Craft
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Alana
Alana on skis at Herridge's Lake 30/3/1985
A day out at Herridge's Lake.
Bucket was a kid magnet.
Father Christmas arriving by boat.
Parked outside our canal block in South Yunderup.
Lunch at the Ravenswood Pub.
Original straight 6 Mercury on Roadrunner.
Tweaked Mercury 2.4 V6.
The Kids loved it at Herridge's Lake.
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