Jesse James (WCC) Meets Jimmy Buffett (CRB)
Posted: May 16, 2004 12:33 pm
Excerpts from an article about a builder of 'monster machines'
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpr ... 553.htm?1c
CLINTON, WIS.: A MAN OF MANY PROJECTS
BY HILLARY WUNDROW
Beloit Daily News
Mark Madson has a wild summer in store for himself.
The Clinton man best known for propping a pickup truck in a tree overlooking Interstate 43, will appear on "Monster Nation" with an array of new mechanical contraptions.
...
As the summer heats up, the mechanical guru plans to unveil some of his new projects, ranging from a Jimmy Buffet boat to an overflowing volcano on the show and for his son Luke's college graduation party.
Madson, who operates The Littlest Limestone Company in Clinton, considers his grandest project of the summer to be the 1974 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. He is converting it into a boat to celebrate his son's graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
At the party, Madson plans to set the car sailing in Little Devil's Lake in the limestone quarry. With the roof cut off, the car will have flames shooting out the exhaust, which will go through the hood of the car.
The vehicle is similar to the one Boss Hog from the "Dukes of Hazzard" drove.
Sealed with 75 cubic feet of foam, Madson used solid chunks of Coast Guard approved styrofoam as well as liquid foam to ensure flotation. Although the car has a 45-horsepower electric start inboard-outboard engine, Madson said it was not designed to be a speed boat.
"It's more of a cruiser," he added.
For the party, Madson also plans to feature a man-made volcano, designed with the help of Clinton friend Larry Cornellier. Composed of a pile of quarry limestone, fireworks will shoot out the top.
During the filming of "Monster Nation," Madson will unleash what he calls his Jimmy Buffet boat. The floatable craft includes a stove, couch, grill and bicycle hanging off the back.
During romantic evenings, Madson noted he likes to grill steaks while watching the stars and moon on the pontoon. If pirates come by, however, the feisty Madson is prepared with a hook and saw contraption in the front of the boat.
"This is my private boat. If others come in on the lake and I don't want them there, I'm the pirate. I can winch them in, and when they get up close, I can saw their boats in half with a rotary saw," Madson said jokingly.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpr ... 553.htm?1c
CLINTON, WIS.: A MAN OF MANY PROJECTS
BY HILLARY WUNDROW
Beloit Daily News
Mark Madson has a wild summer in store for himself.
The Clinton man best known for propping a pickup truck in a tree overlooking Interstate 43, will appear on "Monster Nation" with an array of new mechanical contraptions.
...
As the summer heats up, the mechanical guru plans to unveil some of his new projects, ranging from a Jimmy Buffet boat to an overflowing volcano on the show and for his son Luke's college graduation party.
Madson, who operates The Littlest Limestone Company in Clinton, considers his grandest project of the summer to be the 1974 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. He is converting it into a boat to celebrate his son's graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
At the party, Madson plans to set the car sailing in Little Devil's Lake in the limestone quarry. With the roof cut off, the car will have flames shooting out the exhaust, which will go through the hood of the car.
The vehicle is similar to the one Boss Hog from the "Dukes of Hazzard" drove.
Sealed with 75 cubic feet of foam, Madson used solid chunks of Coast Guard approved styrofoam as well as liquid foam to ensure flotation. Although the car has a 45-horsepower electric start inboard-outboard engine, Madson said it was not designed to be a speed boat.
"It's more of a cruiser," he added.
For the party, Madson also plans to feature a man-made volcano, designed with the help of Clinton friend Larry Cornellier. Composed of a pile of quarry limestone, fireworks will shoot out the top.
During the filming of "Monster Nation," Madson will unleash what he calls his Jimmy Buffet boat. The floatable craft includes a stove, couch, grill and bicycle hanging off the back.
During romantic evenings, Madson noted he likes to grill steaks while watching the stars and moon on the pontoon. If pirates come by, however, the feisty Madson is prepared with a hook and saw contraption in the front of the boat.
"This is my private boat. If others come in on the lake and I don't want them there, I'm the pirate. I can winch them in, and when they get up close, I can saw their boats in half with a rotary saw," Madson said jokingly.