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When I was faced with the first little problem the Ugly Mudda threw at me, I made a move that I thought would be temporary. I'm always scouring craigslist for good boat deals, and over the years it has put a little jingle in my pocket. I found a deal I couldn't pass up in this boat. In dealing with the seller, who didn't have the title, and the motor had had a fire in it, I was able to wangle the second best deal I ever have for a boat.
I did the legwork for the title, which included a couple trips to Brazoria and dealing with the kindest widow lady I have ever met. Got it registered with TPWD via a mountain of forms and supporting paperwork, then I picked her up. I named her the "Gray Ghost" in homage to the famous Confederate partisan, John S. Mosby. Just about this time, the Mudda's motor gave up the ghost. I was forced to spend my last week here puttering all over the place with my trusty 8 horse Nissan kicker. So there I was with 2 boats, and neither had a working motor. I was due in New Orleans for my grandmother's funeral and I knew when I got back that I'd need a working boat right away. It was quite a quandary. I knew the Merc on the Mudda was going to take more than I had to get fixed, and I didn't hold out much hope that the 'Rude on the Gray Ghost was of any use. I mean an engine fire can be a pretty big deal. Add to it, I couldn't really drop either off at a shop for 6 weeks and expect them to fix either and store them for me.
Enter TMO and fishbobr. Turns out the 'Rude was the same exact model Fish had on his boat, and he knows that baby inside and out. So the day before I left for the Big Easy, I towed the boat up to TMO's shop and left it with him. I really didn't expect what happened next. When they called, I was in Coney Island, NYC. I had just sat down to enjoy my first Nathan's hot dog. So I was already in a good mood. I heard Tom's voice, but wherever he was it was noisy. I asked them what that noise was in the background, and TMO said, "That's your motor running bro!" I almost let out a Rebel Yell when I heard that. Bob got her running sweet for the cost of only a couple of parts. I can't thank the two of you enough for getting me back on the water with a boat that goes faster than a pirogue.
Well guys, the Gray Ghost is a winner. I was finally able to take it out to the camp when I got back in town. I've got to say that it feels good to be running an old Evinrude again after the last 17 years with Mercs. Nothing against Mercs, but there's nothing like the sound of a good old Johhny-Rude. I never expected a 50 horse to be able to move that boat so well, but 007 let me borrow the GPS and she took me to 29mph. That's as fast as I want to go. She's super good on the gas too. She's an older boat, a 1974 Monark. She leaks a little, but I sure do like the semi-v and wide open layout. I wasn't that keen on the side console, but it sure leaves a lot of room for hauling debris, lumber, and equipment. Gotta thank TMO and fishbobr again. It was such a load off my mind to have a running boat.
Of course with each new boat, comes a reckoning. I had originally bought the Gray Ghost because it was such a good deal, I thought if nothing else, I'd make some money on it. Little did I know I would need her. Now I'm left with the question of what to do and which one to keep. I'm so darned attached to the Mudda, I don't want to let her go. She really is the perfect machine for what I do. The front deck and rail are great fishing platforms. She's big and tough too, but with a motor that probably has a scored cylinder, it really makes it a done deal. I can't make any sense of keeping 2 boats this size, and it appears with the motor issue, my decision is made for me, though it still doesn't feel too good.
Looks like I have the first tire kicker coming to look at her this Saturday.
Gilbert is interested in her, and I'd like nothing better to have the Mudda in the hands of a friend. She has given me 4 years of boundless pleasure and plenty of hard work. If Gilbert decides against her, I'll be putting her up in the classifieds.
Here are some pics of the Gray Ghost at rest. Above her in a couple pics you'll see the new flag at Blockade Runners. After Glenn passed away we flew the flag he knew at half mast for a month. It is now retired having survived 2 hurricanes, from my old camp in La. to Blockade Runners during Ike. Just as the torch is being passed from the Ugly Mudda to the Gray Ghost, a new flag now replaces the old. Here you'll see a 13 star Confederate national flag, rather than the old 7 star model. All our states are now represented, including Bountyhunter's beloved Virginia.
I've never been very good with change, and I'm what you might call an over-sentimental personality. It's tough when situations make you change, rather than being able to make the call yourself. Hopefully the Gray Ghost and the new flag can fill the very big shoes each of their predecessors have left.
The final pic is an omage' to the Ugly Mudda. I'll miss her greatly when she's gone. Thanks for reading my ramblings, Sandy
I did the legwork for the title, which included a couple trips to Brazoria and dealing with the kindest widow lady I have ever met. Got it registered with TPWD via a mountain of forms and supporting paperwork, then I picked her up. I named her the "Gray Ghost" in homage to the famous Confederate partisan, John S. Mosby. Just about this time, the Mudda's motor gave up the ghost. I was forced to spend my last week here puttering all over the place with my trusty 8 horse Nissan kicker. So there I was with 2 boats, and neither had a working motor. I was due in New Orleans for my grandmother's funeral and I knew when I got back that I'd need a working boat right away. It was quite a quandary. I knew the Merc on the Mudda was going to take more than I had to get fixed, and I didn't hold out much hope that the 'Rude on the Gray Ghost was of any use. I mean an engine fire can be a pretty big deal. Add to it, I couldn't really drop either off at a shop for 6 weeks and expect them to fix either and store them for me.
Enter TMO and fishbobr. Turns out the 'Rude was the same exact model Fish had on his boat, and he knows that baby inside and out. So the day before I left for the Big Easy, I towed the boat up to TMO's shop and left it with him. I really didn't expect what happened next. When they called, I was in Coney Island, NYC. I had just sat down to enjoy my first Nathan's hot dog. So I was already in a good mood. I heard Tom's voice, but wherever he was it was noisy. I asked them what that noise was in the background, and TMO said, "That's your motor running bro!" I almost let out a Rebel Yell when I heard that. Bob got her running sweet for the cost of only a couple of parts. I can't thank the two of you enough for getting me back on the water with a boat that goes faster than a pirogue.
Well guys, the Gray Ghost is a winner. I was finally able to take it out to the camp when I got back in town. I've got to say that it feels good to be running an old Evinrude again after the last 17 years with Mercs. Nothing against Mercs, but there's nothing like the sound of a good old Johhny-Rude. I never expected a 50 horse to be able to move that boat so well, but 007 let me borrow the GPS and she took me to 29mph. That's as fast as I want to go. She's super good on the gas too. She's an older boat, a 1974 Monark. She leaks a little, but I sure do like the semi-v and wide open layout. I wasn't that keen on the side console, but it sure leaves a lot of room for hauling debris, lumber, and equipment. Gotta thank TMO and fishbobr again. It was such a load off my mind to have a running boat.
Of course with each new boat, comes a reckoning. I had originally bought the Gray Ghost because it was such a good deal, I thought if nothing else, I'd make some money on it. Little did I know I would need her. Now I'm left with the question of what to do and which one to keep. I'm so darned attached to the Mudda, I don't want to let her go. She really is the perfect machine for what I do. The front deck and rail are great fishing platforms. She's big and tough too, but with a motor that probably has a scored cylinder, it really makes it a done deal. I can't make any sense of keeping 2 boats this size, and it appears with the motor issue, my decision is made for me, though it still doesn't feel too good.
Looks like I have the first tire kicker coming to look at her this Saturday.
Gilbert is interested in her, and I'd like nothing better to have the Mudda in the hands of a friend. She has given me 4 years of boundless pleasure and plenty of hard work. If Gilbert decides against her, I'll be putting her up in the classifieds. Here are some pics of the Gray Ghost at rest. Above her in a couple pics you'll see the new flag at Blockade Runners. After Glenn passed away we flew the flag he knew at half mast for a month. It is now retired having survived 2 hurricanes, from my old camp in La. to Blockade Runners during Ike. Just as the torch is being passed from the Ugly Mudda to the Gray Ghost, a new flag now replaces the old. Here you'll see a 13 star Confederate national flag, rather than the old 7 star model. All our states are now represented, including Bountyhunter's beloved Virginia.
I've never been very good with change, and I'm what you might call an over-sentimental personality. It's tough when situations make you change, rather than being able to make the call yourself. Hopefully the Gray Ghost and the new flag can fill the very big shoes each of their predecessors have left.
The final pic is an omage' to the Ugly Mudda. I'll miss her greatly when she's gone. Thanks for reading my ramblings, Sandy
Attached Files
to fishbobr and TMO for all the help they gave you.
I'm ready to be there now!
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