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Old 12-11-2009, 08:46 PM   #24
Island Life
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishy Cover View Post
Late 50's- we put two 7 1/2 hp outboards (one a Martin, one a Scott Atwater) on a row boat and borrowed Johnny Holmes' dad's homemade water skis, one of which had been broken and was mended with an aluminum plate in front of the rubber foot holder. We found an old clothesline for a tow rope and used a stick for a handle. I was chosen as the first skier because I was the smallest and lightest. My brother drove the boat and got both motors started and amazingly I popped up out of the water on the first try. We went around in circles for several minutes and then I pointed to the jump in front of Robert Gregory's house so my brother steered for it and I made my first jump.

Well, actually a half jump because the bolts protruding from the bottom of the mending plate dug into the jump and the skis stopped immediately but I did not because I did not let go of the rope. This ended my jumping career and broke both skis. Sounds a little stupid today but boy, was it fun.
How come no one mends things anymore? My dad was a great one for making things himself and fixing them (like with the aluminum plate) when they were broken. Now we just throw it away and buy new stuff.
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Island Life the way my grandparents' grandparents enjoyed it - but with a faster boat!!!
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