The cardboard boat race started at 2. I'd been working the crowd all morning, trying to find crews for the three boats we'd made at the Boathouse. I'd thought there was to be one big race, but instead, they had a kid's race first.

It was odd, because I'd forgotten what the people I'd conned into crewing our boats looked like, but I recognized my super-simple envelope design (in the foreground) It had a 14-year old and his younger brother - and they were winning!

That other pink-ish boat to the right of the buoy was one of ours as well, but there was something funny about it . . .

They were paddling back to back! Who thought up that idea? Not only did it reduce their paddling ability (one paddler was inefficient) it concentrated the weight in the middle.

I'd gotten distracted by the big, yellow-ish canoe. It was folding in on itself as well.

Whoops, that back-to-back team is starting to twist - the boat folded and sank about 50 yards past where they are in this picture.

They pushed/swam that big yellow canoe over to the docks and tried to get it up on land.. What water the hull hadn't kept out, it sure held in - I had to run over there and hand them some box-cutters so they could rip it open and haul it up on the docks.

Letting them borrowDaisy to haul the dead cardboard boat away was the least I could do.

Here's the proud winners of the kid's race. Note to cardboard boat builders: Find light paddlers, they do well.

Now it was time for the adult race. Our boat was that big, canoe-ish looking thing. I'd found three friends - guys in their twenties to crew. I thought I explained that the front two should paddle on opposite sides while the guy in the back controlled the boat, but they were all over the place.

The adult course was roughly twice as long as the kid's course, so there was more carnage. Our boat finished, but didn't place.

Connie and Patience have been friends of the Boathouse for the past couple months and they had an entry, but it wasn't doing well.

It finally went under a few feet behind the Boathouse, and we were able to rescue them easily.

Things got back to normal after the cardboard boat races (what a great event - thanks, GP!) it was really sweet to see this couple go out for a row.

The afternoon was turning into a lovely day on the water.

That pink canoe was really getting a workout - Aurora was always the first of the three chosen.

Zach was having a ball, taking other kids out for cruises in his tug. He won the People's Choice Award for neatest boat this year.

Remember that older couple from a few pictures ago? They liked it so much, they forced their daughter and her new husband to go rowing, too.

This was one of my favorites. As I was helping them into the boat, I said "Sir, the heavier people usually go in the back - it helps the canoe balance better and makes it easier to control." He responded with a stage whisper "My wife doesn't like how I steer canoes - she used to be a river guide. It's better this way." BTW: That's EXACTLY how Lazy Weekend II canoes are designed to be used: Momma, Daddy, and two chillin's.

The little girl wasn't too keen on this. I called out "Smile for the camera" and she did this beautiful grin. As soon as I brought he camera down, it was all business - grim business - again. Two people on the docks saw and commented on it.

Remember Patience from the cardboard boat race? She made a pretty neat boat - it had a working propeller and inside the cabin was a bed (compete with a plastic army man sleeping in there) and a crow's nest - also with an army man.

There's seven people in that Mollyhawk - three grown adults and 4 kids (one hidden.) That little girl in the middle screamed and cried the whole time - yet Connie just kept rowing.

Another three-generation row in a Mollyhawk.

Last shot of Saturday - canoes, kayaks, and an electric fantail launch. That's a boat show.

Sunday, I was back at it again - all day in the Boathouse. I did get a chance to walk the show where Chuck described to me - in great detail - this wonderful push-pull tiller he'd devised for his Whisp. After listening - in awe - to the technical specs and difficulties he'd overcome, I asked to see it. It was a stick. A piece of bamboo. At least it had been painted and had a spring-clip stuck on the end.

Right off the bat, Joe was out showing off his electrified Fantail Launch. I swear, Jodi III was on the water almost as much as the pink canoe.

Coot, Howard, and a Cootess out for a row in Salt.

Another family, out for a row in Pepper

Canoes, canoes, and more canoes..

Ricky, the remote control boat guy, took his son out on the red skin-on-frame. That little 12ft boat was not intended for more than one person, but that little sprog doesn't weigh very much.

Another fleet shot. That's Chuck and Shea, captain and crew of the Baggywrinkle.

Hey, we even got a visit from a real, live, doulble-ended, wooden salmon troller.

Another family in Pepper.

These two kids were hilarious. They couldn't paddle worth beans and the wind and tide were pushing them towards a long, hungry trip to Hawaii. Their uncle - former Army howitzer man - was trying to guide them from the docks.

These ladies were having fun. The mother was allowing the daughter to learn experientially - which is way cool.

This steam boat was almost as busy as Joe's Jodi III, taking guests out on the water.

Connie and Patience were back, with another Mollyhawk full of kids. Those are great boats.

These are Jim R's grandkids. Jim is a Coot, Boathouse volunteer, and primary mover in the Teak Lady Society.

This is Helen. She was having a ball, captain of her own destiny.

Marlo (in the front) had been a Summer Youth Program participant. She wanted to show her skills to her new friend, Megan.

The canoe didn't work out very well, so they tried a Mollyhawk. Marlo quickly got tired of doing all the rowing.

Next they tried solo canoes. Megan was a quick study.

Marlo was in the Nuf. They came close together, and someone (I have no idea who*) called out "Hey, girls! Have you ever thought of having a splash fight?"

*yes I do - it was me

I don't think it took more than a splash before Marlo was in the water. Her dad was standing next to me, and everyone was having a good chuckle.

Marlo's little sister is Coco, and when Coco saw her sister getting a swim, she demanded she be thrown in the water. It took a little talking (him being one of the nicest men I know) and encouragement from Coco's father, but eventually, Brandon gave her a mighty 1..2..3.. Toss!

Marlo rescued from a watery doom, Coco pulled from her watery playground, and the day began to wind down. This was probably the most successful Toledo Wooden Boat Show to date, and I do believe the Boathouse got more than 100 people out on the water.