The 18” x 20” hole in the bow just above the waterline was caused by the boat hitting the seawall at the closed end of the canal. When the eye of the hurricane passed over and the wind reversed, the boat’s direction reversed and she was buried into the dock and lift. At high water, we had a twin engine sport fisherman pull her off the shallows and tow her to the home dock.

     The impact and subsequent wind pressure caused both anchor rollers to be ripped out breaking 3/8” bolts the bow pulpit was mangled and the port side hawse pipe cover was torn lose. There were several 8” holes in the deck and many smaller holes. The bow pulpit, anchor rollers, lifelines and the navigation lights were replaced and all holes were sealed and refiberglassed.

     These photos give some idea of the work which was done. The black spot on the port side is the foot switch for the new wash down pump that was installed in the chain locker. There is a brass hose fitting on the starboard side for this pump. The light line across the deck in the photos indicates the chain locker bulkhead below decks. It is quite large and allowed me to get in side to repair the hole in the bow and install the pump, pulpit, bow rollers and wiring.

     The gel coat took a beating along the sheer line under the rub rail and the deck was peppered with shingles flying at 150 MPH. This caused multiple small holes in the deck’s nonskid. Water and sun worked to develop many cracks in the deck which had to be dug out and reglassed

     All the chips, cracks and holes in the hull were also reglassed and painted.

     Repairing and refinishing the teak was a chore. In order to protect the teak from the sun, I made custom covers.

    So far I’ve finished the following on the “TO DO” list. Replace bow pulpit, anchor rollers, repair hatches and prepare for paint, repair cabin top grab rail. Strip, repair, clean, seal and refinish all teak. Repair gel coat cracks and holes in cabin top, deck and hull. Apply epoxy sealer coat to decks and cabin. Apply primer and paint to deck, topsides and cabin. Install solar vent fans in cabin top. Apply nonskid to hatches, cabin top and deck. Install heavy duty brass navigation lights. Repair stanchions and install new lifelines. Clean & paint chain locker, lazzerette, and sail lockers. Repair and install chain locker wash down pump, wiring, and chain divider. Make teak covers.

     Now I’m refinishing the cockpit, when completed I’ll start on the interior. Then it’s time to go to the yard and remove 3 years of bottom growth and pull the mast to overhaul the rigging.