CABBS Newsletter May 2026
We are pleased to share the archive edition of our monthly newsletter, The C Clamp, with our broader community!
Please Note: Active CABBS members always receive the latest newsletter first via email. Archive editions are posted here publicly with a short delay. Want to get these hot off the press? Join CABBS Today!
Inside the May 2026 Issue:
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Honoring a Half-Century of Sawdust: Read our tribute to Wes Roepke, who is celebrating an incredible 50 years of CABBS membership!
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April Guest Speaker Recap: Catch up on the highlights from our afternoon with Matthew Daley—antique outboard motor specialist, towboat captain, and fishing charter operator. He shared stories about restoring his childhood aluminum boat, “trading up” without breaking the bank, and practical boat-safety tips.
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Spring Workspace Clean-up & Dust Initiative: A huge thank you to the 18 volunteers who spruced up our Perkins Avenue workspace. Read an important update from Workspace Leader Vic Janezic on why keeping dust under control is crucial for both beautiful boat finishes and lung health.
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The Build of the “Goat”: Read James Krouse’s fantastic, step-by-step story of building his Michael Storer-designed Goat Island Skiff. From translating metric plans in his garage to constructing a 16-foot hollow mast and sailing the red-hulled beauty (Redtail) in Canada, it’s a must-read.
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Hands-on Workshops & Education: Recaps and details on our hands-on educational events, including:
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A recap of Paul Jira’s thorough PowerPoint and hands-on Trailer Maintenance workshop.
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Details on the May Rigging the Small Sailboat workshop with Ron Abate.
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An upcoming look at our June Epoxy 101 for Boats class taught by Paul Herrgesell.
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Summer On-the-Water Outings: Mark your calendars for our upcoming excursions:
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Hot Dog Day (May 17): Our annual summer kick-off picnic at the Chippewa Lake Yacht Club, hosted by Jim Weakley.
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Lower Lake Regatta 2.0 (May 24): A casual paddle, row, or stand-up boating event at Lower Lake in Shaker Heights.
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Allegheny River Paddle Trip (June 25-28): A multi-day flatwater camping and paddling trip starting near Warren, PA.
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Erie Float Trip (August 6-9): A flatwater canal cruise from Lockport to Rochester, NY, with an upcoming planning meeting on May 20.
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Tool Review – A Better One-Handed Clamp: Ed Neal reviews the versatile, adjustable-jaw Masterforce spring clamp from Menards—a great $10 addition to your boatbuilding toolbox.
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Free Boat Opportunity! Member Bob Dianetti is looking to pass along a 1965 Blue Jay 13 sailboat needing deck restoration and hull TLC to a good home (bronze hardware included!).
