Boatman's Holiday

Very Nice !

Capt. Don !
Just very very nice !
I bet your really enjoy it !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted
P.S. Where do you keep her ??

Shipyard Sam;22534 wrote: When I'm not boating, this is what I do....

you are living my dream, skipper.

Yard Work Boat 1041

Built in 1977 at Genoa, Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Light & Power Company as the SEA SHANTY (or SEA CHANTY) she towed coal barges around the powerplant until converted to nuclear power (the plant - not the boat), and the boat was laid up until bought by a fellow who acquired her and made 'er into a live-aboard and renamed her the NEW DAY.

The NEW DAY was on the Chicago River in the shadow of those great skyscrapers, and spent several years on the Upper Illinois River, at Starved Rock, until she ended up at Decatur, Al on the Tennessee River where I ended a five year search for the 'perfect boat'. After a time on the marine ways, the former towboat was rechristened YWB 1041 SUN*FISH, in memory of Deborah "The Fish" Fischbeck.

The SUN*FISH is 41' X 13' and draws 3.5' at the stern. Powered by a Ford Lehman 120-hp diesel, she is single-screw, has three rooms and a bath, and is three decks plus the upper Bridge Steering Station.

Willie and Buster's Whirlwind Tour of the World - YWB 1041

Living The Dream !

Captain Don ,
Great pictures ! Where do you keep your boat and does it freeze there during the winter ??
Also , could you help me locate Lou Webb ??
Thanks & Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Shipyard Sam;22543 wrote: Built in 1977 at Genoa, Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Light & Power Company as the SEA SHANTY (or SEA CHANTY) she towed coal barges around the powerplant until converted to nuclear power (the plant - not the boat), and the boat was laid up until bought by a fellow who acquired her and made 'er into a live-aboard and renamed her the NEW DAY.

The NEW DAY was on the Chicago River in the shadow of those great skyscrapers, and spent several years on the Upper Illinois River, at Starved Rock, until she ended up at Decatur, Al on the Tennessee River where I ended a five year search for the 'perfect boat'. After a time on the marine ways, the former towboat was rechristened YWB 1041 SUN*FISH, in memory of Deborah "The Fish" Fischbeck.

The SUN*FISH is 41' X 13' and draws 3.5' at the stern. Powered by a Ford Lehman 120-hp diesel, she is single-screw, has three rooms and a bath, and is three decks plus the upper Bridge Steering Station.

Willie and Buster's Whirlwind Tour of the World - YWB 1041

For the past four years I've been at Jay's Landing Marina, formerly Pirate's Cove Marina, mile 303, Tennessee River. The winters in Decatur, Alabama are just a bit cooler than New Orleans. I've seen 14 degrees at night in January, but 55 to 60 by 1 PM. Last winter was cooler, but it was cold about everywhere last winter.

I'll get you Louie's phone number when I return to Northern climes later in the week. He's fine... or was last time he came down to the GV2 to visit.

The " Huck Finn " Spirit !

Capt. Don ,
Thanks for the reply and information on the area where you winter your boat .
Also , thanks for your help with locateing Lou Webb !
It is so very obvisious to me that the " Huck FInn" Spirit , is still alive and well in your heart !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Shipyard Sam;22552 wrote: For the past four years I've been at Jay's Landing Marina, formerly Pirate's Cove Marina, mile 303, Tennessee River. The winters in Decatur, Alabama are just a bit cooler than New Orleans. I've seen 14 degrees at night in January, but 55 to 60 by 1 PM. Last winter was cooler, but it was cold about everywhere last winter.

I'll get you Louie's phone number when I return to Northern climes later in the week. He's fine... or was last time he came down to the GV2 to visit.

New Information

The former owner of my boat told me, the other day, that the original name was the MARY R, and told this story:

Roger Lauten, the former owner of my boat said he was docked on the Illinois River when a man approached and said, "I had that boat, once." Roger invited him aboard and offered the man a chair and asked for an explaination of his statement.

Th man introduced himself as Captain Trabowski (phonetic spelling), a former towboat captain from Peru, Illinois. He said that a man worked on the towboats with him named Joe Reynolds, and Joe was, apparently, the original owner of the SUN*FISH, then called the MARY R for his mother, Mary Reynolds. This Captain Trabowski admired the boat, as it IS a beautiful boat.

One day, after Joe came back from his days-off, he reported that he had terminal cancer, but intended to work as long as he could. However, after only three months, Joe sadly informed his captain that he could no longer continue towboating. With that said, he asked the captain for a dollar, and when it was produced, Joe took it and handed Captain T. a piece of paper. Unfolding it, the captain saw that it was a Bill of Sale for the MARY R for the price of one dollar.

How the MARY R became a towboat for Wisconsin Power, Division 19, LaCrosse, Roger was unable to explain.

So now we have new information that may help to discover who and where the MARY R was built, and whether there is further information concerning her. I sent this information directly to Dave T., but if anyone else familiar with boating on the Upper Mississippi recognizes the name MARY R., or Joe Reynoilds, and Captain "Trabowski", please post what you can lend to this quest of mine to uncover the history of my fiesty little boat.

For Dan Owen, IRR Editor:
Does the IRR have the MARY R listed in any of the issues of when she may have been in service for the Wisconsin L&P? I would be beholding if you could be of servive.