Outboard Fun
14th June 2011
By Tim Du Vernet
Remember that popular phrase that proclaimed, “some of the best things in life are free”? Running a sea flea is the next best thing, in the boating world. Two quarter inch sheets of plywood and a small outboard were about all that was needed to make a sea flea, as the plans were advertised back in the 50’s.
The days of mini thunder are returning to some parts of Muskoka as the thrill of skimming across the water in a sea flea is being passed down to a new generation looking for a simpler way of sharing parent and child fun on the lake.
By comparison, the jet ski is expensive and far less approachable than a sea flea. Besides, where is the nostalgia? The focus for this renewed energy has been channeled through the website www.muskokaseaflea.com.
This Saturday, the Muskoka Sea Flea group will be holding a FleaTest on Six Mile Provincial Park. At last word, 27 boats were going to participate. While registration is closed, visitors can watch for free. More info is on the website.
Chris Taylor, Andrew Taylor and Erik Luksep are contacts for the event and have explained it as follows: Muskoka Seaflea is proud to host our first “Fleafest 2011” at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. This informal gathering will bring together a variety of vintage and home built boats to celebrate the resurgence of this family oriented past time.
The focus of this event will be the sharing of information among our members, demonstrations of boat performance and handling and a guided tour of the lake. Participants are required to pre-register their boats on our website. This event is free to the general public with admission to the Provincial Park. Registration and further information is available at our website: www.muskokaseaflea.ca. From the posted itinerary, it looks like the day will be filled with family, friendship and sea flea fun one way or another.
The Muskoka Sea Flea group participate boat shows such as the ACBS summer boat show and the Muskoka Lakes Association boat show with demonstration kits and buckets of enthusiasm. Their web forum participation now boasts over 1000 members and the excitement just keeps growing!
When I visited Chris at his family cottage a few years ago to see the sea fleas in action, the thrill was certainly infectious. I hope to be bitten by the speedy water bug again this weekend.
Remember that popular phrase that proclaimed, “some of the best things in life are free”? Running a sea flea is the next best thing, in the boating world. Two quarter inch sheets of plywood and a small outboard were about all that was needed to make a sea flea, as the plans were advertised back in the 50’s.
The days of mini thunder are returning to some parts of Muskoka as the thrill of skimming across the water in a sea flea is being passed down to a new generation looking for a simpler way of sharing parent and child fun on the lake.
By comparison, the jet ski is expensive and far less approachable than a sea flea. Besides, where is the nostalgia? The focus for this renewed energy has been channeled through the website www.muskokaseaflea.com.
This Saturday, the Muskoka Sea Flea group will be holding a FleaTest on Six Mile Provincial Park. At last word, 27 boats were going to participate. While registration is closed, visitors can watch for free. More info is on the website.
Chris Taylor, Andrew Taylor and Erik Luksep are contacts for the event and have explained it as follows: Muskoka Seaflea is proud to host our first “Fleafest 2011” at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. This informal gathering will bring together a variety of vintage and home built boats to celebrate the resurgence of this family oriented past time.
The focus of this event will be the sharing of information among our members, demonstrations of boat performance and handling and a guided tour of the lake. Participants are required to pre-register their boats on our website. This event is free to the general public with admission to the Provincial Park. Registration and further information is available at our website: www.muskokaseaflea.ca. From the posted itinerary, it looks like the day will be filled with family, friendship and sea flea fun one way or another.
The Muskoka Sea Flea group participate boat shows such as the ACBS summer boat show and the Muskoka Lakes Association boat show with demonstration kits and buckets of enthusiasm. Their web forum participation now boasts over 1000 members and the excitement just keeps growing!
When I visited Chris at his family cottage a few years ago to see the sea fleas in action, the thrill was certainly infectious. I hope to be bitten by the speedy water bug again this weekend.