new decks

Pattern Day

We have waited 6 years to replace our teak decks on Miss Em. I knew it would be a invasive, time consuming project. I didn't realize that we would have to rip up so much of the inside to get at the few cleats we would have to move.  Living through deconstruction is much more difficult than my wildest dreams (nightmares).  The way Gary and I get through these times is to work hard and laugh hard.  I offer up our agony.

the black tarry stuff under the old teak

the white tape covers over a thousand screw holes

Gary removed all the screws and sanded the black stuff off.  Then he countersunk the holes and filled them with epoxy.  Then he removed all the embedded teak panels on the cabin roof and filled the channels up with epoxy.

epoxied  screw holes

cabin panel dug out 

panels out epoxy done

I had a few projects also.  Our toe rail was due to be taken down to raw wood and varnished.  Last professionals took a month and I won't share the price.  So I worked around Gary and the weather.

Now the real fun started inside our living quarters.   This is when most women jump ship.  I know because I was ready.  Unfortunely, I didn't get any good offers.  And someone had to watch Gary.

Gary was in the kitchen!

Arrrgh! 

Gary was here!

Gary was here a lot!

Tomorrow  Maritime Wood products will arrive to start putting on the new teak.  KEEP YOUR HOPES UP AS WE WILL!

Ft. Pierce down time

Even on a windy day locals find a lot to do.  The beach has a beautiful walkway to the end of the jeddies. 

Wind surfers were fun to watch

Colorful kites!

Kids having fun

Manatees swimming

Great Mural of Ft. Pierce History

The great peacock Debate

Peacocks have been prolific in Downton Ft. Pierce as a flock of 20 run around in and out of traffic.  There is even a peacock crossing sign.

Strutting his stuff

We tried to enjoy some of the places that are so fun here at Ft. Pierce.  Beautiful beaches and historic homes are the perks of being here.  There are lots of great art and murels on the older buildings,

Father's Day at Manatee Beach Bar

Beautiful view of Ft. Pierce Inlet   

Dirk and Nancy meet us at Ft. Pierce

Friends we hadn't seen in years came in to the Ft. Pierce Inlet and we were able to have a great 2 days with them and their great boat Renegade.  Dirk and Nancy were buddies when we first got Divine Miss Em and were at St. Andrew Marina.  They left cruising in a ODay called Tybee Time and have never looked back.  Many miles  and now a Vagabond Later, we were able to enjoy a nice evening on their beautiful boat.

Dingying in for a visit and fun

Dirk and Nancy's Renegade
Check out thie blogspot for greater pictures

Fun ubering to Walmart and then dink loading

We loved the pictures of the Bahamas Dirk showed us.  I am looking forward to many trips in the future for Miss Em.

Boat Projects in Ft. Pierce

The removal and replacement of the teak decks is underway.  Gary has been working hard to take out the hundreds of screws and sealing them. We have waited so many years to get here, I am a little giddy.  My job is brightwork and keeping the captain fed.  Gary's is everything else.

Taping the screw holes after removal

All the way to the front

Nasty mess to be sanded off

Top panels to be dug out and re-embedded

Before

After sanding

Thanks to Whiticar for help, and to Maritime Wood Products, who will do the teak decks!  More later!

Harbortown Marina

Moving from one marina to another here was very involved.  Low tide to get under the bridge, high tide to get into  any marinas. Moving to Harbortown was interesting but necessary to our further projects.  The marina has a large laundry, swimming pool, fitness center, large captains lounge.  We are also right in front of the restaurant which has live music frequently.  The Whiticar boat yard is next door in case we need any help with our projects.

Lots of cruisers

Miss Em from another pier, she has the flag flying

Restaurant at Harbortown

Boat yards

Miss Em from the restaurant

I have been getting over a small injury this week and Gary has been busy settling us in.  We have gotten our estimates and ordered some materials.  We have been using Uber to get around, but there are shops closeby for small purchases.  The weather has been fine and we are looking forward to brightwork prep and varnishing.

Finally Ft. Pierce!

We have been waiting for years to arrive at our final large project. Teak deck replacement by Maritime Wood Products in Stuart.  We drove here last year to check out a great place to move Miss Em for this repair.  Ft. Pierce inlet was deep, the people we met friendly. We knew we would be here an extended time.  We first went to the City Marina with floating docks to work on taking the toe rail down to bare wood.  Then we moved to Harbortown Marina for the rest of our stay.  We expect to be here at least 2-3 months.

At anchor At Ft. Pierce bridge

Jan relaxing before high tide

Start of a new project

At the City Marina

Gary won a fishing trip on Indian River!

At the Original Tiki Bar

Settled at floating docks

Manatee friends here also

Lots of things within walking distance here