Whitehall Newsletter July 2011 By Harold Aune

Every few months we perfect yet another custom build for a client who would like their needs met in just the right way. The latest was a new custom Whitehall Spirit¨ Tyee 14 for Michael Turner who lives right here in Victoria

Michael wanted a boat that would be first of all an exercise machine that would keep him fit so it required a slide seat and outriggers. Secondly it was to be a fishing machine capable of fishing local waters for salmon or halibut. To assist in traveling longer distances an outboard motor auxiliary power unit was fitted. Next, for salmon fishing an electric downrigger and sounder/fish finder systems were mounted. Finally we installed a battery integrated with the charger on the motor to keep it topped up. It's always fun to create something special and we would be happy to do the same for you, just give us a call. There are a few more pictures of Michael's new boat posted on the Whitehall Rowing & Sail Facebook page.

Fishing in my Classic Whitehall Spirit¨ 14

Here's a report from Tom Lagerquist from San Diego who has owned a classic Whitehall Spirit¨ 14 for about 10 years and has made excellent use of it. Tom represents our belief that a quality boat is treasured for generations

I always look forward to receiving your email newsletter. In the 10 years that I've owned my Whitehall Spirit 14, we have fished in Santa Barbara, sailed Donner Lake in the high Sierra on a gloriously fine and windy summer afternoon, and caught feisty brook trout on Sardine Lake in the Sierra (see attached photo). Not to mention my regular (at least aspirational) slide seat rowing on Lake Natoma (home of collegiate rowing championships) and the upper reaches of Folsom Lake.

When it's not in use, the boat occupies a prime space in our garage. My kids know that it is a treasure that will be passed along to future generations of our family so that they too can build wholesome and fun memories. I'm already looking forward to a camping trip later in the summer where we'll introduce sailing and rowing to two other families.

I hope the attached photo shows enough of the boat. Although it looks like the strap chafes the woodwork, it really doesn't!

Best wishes, Tom Lagerquist

Tango Forever in Parry Sound

From the outer reaches of Parry Sound in Ontario long time (and several Whitehall Spirit¨ boats) owner Eric Rower shows how he keeps his current favorite boat, a Whitehall Spirit¨ Tango 17 on a very cool electric hoist hanging, clean and ready to go, in his boathouse. Note that the boat is hanging from lines to the traditional oarlock sockets on the outrigger basses. This works well, and the bottom stays nice and clean.

Eric notes that even a bit of slime attached to the boats bottom makes it feel like you are rowing with the brakes on. He also mentioned how the ice on the lake got to be a couple of feet thick last winter but with the boat hanging safely above it. Eric maintains that his new Tango 17 is his all time favorite boat and has named it 'Tango Forever'.

Tango 17 in the UK

Roger Miles purchased a Tango 17 last year and emailed to say how much he and his family are enjoying his "Mountain Bike of the Sea". He keeps the boat at his house on the River Crouch in Essex, England. Below is a picture of Roger and his daughter rowing past their house. Looks like a great area for open water rowing.

Olympic Rowing Champions Can Catch Crabs Too!

Shorside bystanders could hardly know that there goes Adam Kreek and Dom Seiterie, both 2008 Olympic Gold rowers, looking good, stroking along through Victoria Harbour in a WSRC Tango 17. That's Dom's four year old son Max in the stern as acting cox and a large crab trap slung up across the bow. Adam's own boat is a Solo 14 which is named "Freedom Crabber". His excellent rowing instructional expertise is featured on the video "How to Slide Seat Row" which we send out on a DVD with all Whitehall Spirit¨ boats and can be seen online at How to Slide Seat Row with Adam Kreek

We hope you are having an enjoyable summer and can spend as much time as possible doing your favorite things and getting out on the water. Should you be ready to order a new boat or accessories for the one you already own we are available by phone Monday through Friday between 9:30am and 4:30 pm PDT Call toll free1 800 663 7481 in NA and from Europe or elsewhere call 00+1 250 361 2628.

Email to info@whitehallrow.com