Park Presidio Marine Long on Service

After two trips to Park Presidio Marine Services in five days, I HAD to ask.  How come your address is 25th Street at Pennsylvania just 5 minutes from McCovey Cove?

Our maintenance team services our outboard engines regularly and tackles most projects, even major overhauls when needed.  Our Merc 90, however, was in sad shape after 1,056 hours of operation.  Way beyond our maintenance magician’s capabilities.

I drove our trusty Whaler with rusty Merc 90 from TISC to 25th St. Thursday afternoon.  Next day Ryan Berrango called with three options: spend $2,500 (could be more) to  fix the motor, buy a new motor for $9,000, or purchase a used motor for much less (turns out a customer with IDENTICAL ’05 motor with only 50 hrs decided to upgrade).   Bonus – Ryan convinced owner to sell to TISC at reduced price and PPM would give our kids a break on the transfer tune-up costs.

TISC's Nearly-New Merc 90 Arrives at TI

TISC’s New Merc 90 Arrives at TI

By Tuesday our Whaler with nearly-new Merc 90 was ready and on rainy Wednesday behind our trusty Explorer and back to TISC.

OK, so why is Park Presidio Marine on 25th? Here’s what I found out from Gary Barrango:

  • Park Presido Marine was founded in 1963 (sounds like a 50 year anniversary soon!)
  • Gary joined in early 70’s after leaving the Coast Guard, eventually bought the business and moved PPM to 25th street in 1983.  I can imagine what the traffic would be like now at the old address on 19th avenue !
  • Working with his son is rewarding and they see eye-eye (most of the time 🙂 )
Park Presidio Marine

Park Presidio Marine – 1300 25th St.

Gary and Ryan – THANKS for helping us out on this 50-hour motor.  Also thanks for the constant supply of quality parts and timely expert advice you provide that enables us to keep our small armada of safety boats on Clipper Cove watching over kids learning to sail, starting  Vanguard 15 & Laser races on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and enabling the sailing community to enjoy SF Bay via our Community Sailing days.

Regards from On Clipper Cove, Dave G

 

 

Moore 24 Trailer Donation Supports New J/24

Karl's Trailer at TI

Karl’s Trailer at TI

Karl Robrock graciously donated a like-new Moore 24 trailer for use by our J/24 fleet.  Since recent smiles, docks, crashes and more smiles  blogs were posted, these interesting story lines have floated to the surface (I’m sure there are many Moore):

  • Moore 24’s were one of the first planing keel boats.  Even though many are 30 years old they’ve stayed competitive with progressive “in the spirit of the rules” one-design modifications such as open transoms and cleaner rigging.
  • Fleet founders started the “Roadmasters” series back in the 80’s.  Many races up and down the west coast. Trailers needed.  
  • Karl’s trailer was adapted for Moore 24 use in Seattle; it towed Moores up and down I-5 dutifully for many years.  Unique construction using upside-down trailer jacks for quick adjustment. 
  • Webb Chiles, a 70-year old who circumnavigated the globe five times, was getting ready for a 6th – in a Moore 24!  He was heading to Hawaii from San Diego then ‘round the world in his recently acquired “Gannet”. Trailer no longer needed. 
  • Karl jumped at the chance to upgrade when he saw Webb’s trailer for sale. Now Karl has a new travel-mate for his #121, “Snafu” and TISC has a sorely needed trailer for our J/24 fleet.

 

Karl and Webb
Karl and Webb in San Diego

 

Snafu, # 121

Karl’s Moore 24 Snafu, #121

Karl (and Webb), THANK YOU for your support.  TISC students will benefit from a recently-donated J/24 thanks to your generous donation – and we’ll keep you posted on our Moore 24-to-J/24 trailer conversion.

Regards from On The Cove, Dave G

In the Wake:

Here are a few links to Webb Chiles’ recent and past adventures and the 2013 Roadmaster Series.  If you have more send them along and I’ll post them for others to enjoy.

One of Web Chiles many books: Return to the Sea  (includes another story-line; Webb’s Boston history)

‘Lectronic Latitude – Webb Chiles Sneak Peak

Sailing World Blogs – The Webb Chiles Way

 Schedule for this year’s Moore 24 2013 Roadmaster series.