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Holding one of his smallest boat motors in the midst of many others, sitting on handmade wooden stands, E.J. Fournet could tell stories about every single one he has. He has more than 50 boat motors that he has refurbished himself from 1913 to the 1950's.
One motor he has is from 1938 and is less than half the size of most of his others. "It's a gasoline trolling motor. What's unique is the motor actually goes under the water," he explained.
"Ninety-eight percent of them work," Fournet said.
Fournet had a passion for boats and motors when he was young, fishing and hunting with his father. Since then, he has retired from Texaco after 38 years of service and owned and operated shrimp boats. Now that he has retired, he goes fishing 3-5 times a week.
Many people can relate to his boat motors. "They have memories of them from their childhood," Fournet said.
At that time, they had to order motors like these out of a magazine. "We didn't have sporting good stores," he explained. "They come from simpler times when people were happy with much less."
"I take them out and run them but I have so many, I can't run them all," Fournet said.
Some people are surprised when he brings his old motors out on the water to go fishing.
Fournet also has three classic wooden boats that are 1954 and 1958 models. "I have a lot of hobbies. I am a busy senior," he said.
He also collects Coleman lanterns. "I probably have 50 of them," he said.
Not only does Fournet build wooden stands for his motors, he build all his kids furniture. "I do a little woodwork," he said.
Fournet has four children, eight grandchildren and this year he will have been married to his wife for 50 years.
"We are always going somewhere," he said.
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