LogoLogo
  Logo
   
  Search
   
  Home
  What's New?
  For Sale
  A History
  Technical
  Stories
  Forum
  Email List
  Members Only
  Links
  Marine Weather
  Local Weather
  Roster
  Contact Us
   
   
Bob and Daisy Johnson's Daisy J (nee Voyageur) Pacific Dolphin # 265, Dallas (area),Texas (updated March 19, 2011)  
   

March 19, 2011. Daisy J is getting a sister, Delphinidae, Pacific Dolphin #256 is coming in from San Diego. Click here to see her.

September 27, 2009. Bob checked in with the following picture and email.

Daisy J

Hello, Ron

I’ve been a frequent visitor to your site for a while, but have been waiting until I had more restoration progress to report and better pictures of our Dolphin to share (wishful thinking!). In any event, “Voyageur” was an eBay find – more or less – a couple of years ago. She had been donated to, and was being sold by, a charity (in Michigan, as I recall).  I fell in love with her, but I wasn’t the successful bidder. In those days one could see the ID of eBay bidders, and so I was able to email the winner. I sent him a note to the effect “congratulations, but if you ever decide to sell, please let me know.” And sure enough, I heard from him a few months later. The attached photo was taken the day we picked her up in St. Louis, to bring her home to Texas.

We bought a ¾ ton Ford to tow the Dolphin – also an eBay purchase – from San Diego. I had bid on the truck and gone outside to do some yard work, unintentionally leaving the eBay page displayed. I had discussed the Dolphin purchase with my wife, but neglected to mention the truck. I’ll never forget when, a few hours later, she came out and asked, ever so sweetly, “Honey, did we buy a truck?” Oops! Thank Heaven I’m married to an angel.

Jim Huxford had passed away shortly before, and his website was already gone. I had been in contact with his widow and, later, his son (as I recall), trying to learn if any of his material was still available and could be preserved, but they couldn’t find it. I’m very glad you were able to get it, and appreciate all the work you’ve done on Dolphin24.org – it’s terrific.

I’ve not made a lot of progress on the restoration. What really triggered this note was another Dolphin sighting. In eBay listing 190337069870 (and several previous listings – deadbeat bidders are the bane of eBayer sellers and a blessing for hesitant buyers) – a fellow has been trying to sell his Pearson Triton (I’m a sucker for classic plastic). And sitting right next to her in the yard, and visible in a couple of the pictures, is a Dolphin. I’m pretty sure she’s Nalina. If so, she’s not a new find, but fun to spot her, just the same.

I know next to nothing of Voyageur’s history. Her hailing port was Pike Bay. Google Maps shows it as a smallish lake in Minnesota (not far from Voyageurs National Park – a clue?). She wears a City of Kenosha slip rental sticker from 1987 (so it may be she hasn’t seen the water in a while). And her registration numbers are Michigan. Her HIN shows a date of manufacture of either March or August, 1976 (the month digit is indistinct). She’ll be rechristened “Daisy J.” after my dear, ever-so-patient wife. Please add “Daisy J.” to the roster, and show her as “Bob and Daisy Johnson’s boat.”

She’s queen of our fleet (some say addiction, other’s “bad habit”) which include an O’Day Day Sailer “Texas Dream,” a 17’ Buccaneer daysailer “Blue Skies,” a 15’ Starcraft Capri runabout “Sunshine,” a 21’ Thompson cuddy “Bob’n,” and a Gulf Coast 21 “Rising Sun.” But there’s a method to my madness (and master plan): Bob and Daisy own “Bob’n,” “Daisy J.,” “Sunshine” and “Blue Skies.” “Rising Sun” was a local find – $5 for boat, sails, outboard and trailer – and way to sail while our projects are, well, projects. Ah… life is good.

Fair winds,

Bob Johnson

************************

Webmaster Note: Yes! The boat in the background of a couple of pictures on the Ebay ad for the Triton is Nalina! Good Work, Bob!!

        

                      Ebay Photo                                                          Website Photo

***************************

October 1, 2009. Bob sent in a follow up email - edited

We’re about 55 miles northwest of Dallas. The lake we most often sail is about 30,000 acres, but Lake Texoma is nearby and about three times as large. The Gulf coast is about 250 miles down the road… we run down for a weekend at the beach from time-to-time. Haven’t trailered any of the boats down there, but why not…?

I grew up in the northeast, but been in Texas since the mid 90’s. Had finally come to my senses, as we say. We think differently about distances down here… a few hundred miles to go to the beach is no big deal. We flew to San Diego, but drove the truck back. Then used the truck to fetch the Dolphin from St. Louis, as I mentioned. We drove to Wisconsin to bring the Thompson home. The Starcraft was from Oklahoma – relatively nearby. Besides her pedigree, the fact that we can trailer the Dolphin to distant waters was an attraction. We’ll sail in the Gulf, for sure; but the plan is to sail in both oceans before we’re done. And the Great Lakes, too… why not?

I’m planning to replace the ports on Daisy J. with some opening, oval portlights I got at a really good price. I want the additional ventilation, and I’ve always liked the shape (but I probably would have stayed with rectangular if I could have afforded them). When I make that change, I’m also planning to veneer the deckhouse with some gorgeous mahogany I’ve got. Saw a terrific article a year or two ago in the Jan/Feb ’08 issue of Good Old Boat… where a guy vacuum-bagged a veneer laminate to his cabin sides. A little scary, but I like the look. When I work up the courage and time, I’ll be sure to document what I’m up to for Dolpin24.org.

Bob

*******************

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   
1
1 [Home] [A History] [Technical] [Restorations] [Stories] [Forum]
[Members Only] [Links] [Marine Weather] [Local Weather] [Contact Us]
 

© Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Website Design by EasyWebCreations.com & Powered by ASP Hosting