WEEKEND 6 - 9: Still Removing Hardware and Removed Engine

Over the next several weekends, the tasks were numerous and slow to complete.  But we tackled these tasks one by one and kept moving forward.  Stripping hardware, removing the engine and putting our first fill on the lower hull damaged area's.

This too hours grinding the heads off to remove some more teak.

I could see my son Kyle was thinking hard, "Ok. I see what I have to do next..."

"But how?"  Too funny!!!

Had to remove the steering cabling.  I only hope I remember how to put it back together.

I wanted to pull the engine out but didn't want to hire a crane. So I made the best of some people in the truck yard where I was storing my boat...

(below) My son Lyle flew in from NC to help his dad.  It was awesome!  Before this shot when he got on the deck and I learned he had a fear of heights.  To get over this fear I had him repeat 3 times, "Do what you fear most and you control fear"  It worked as you can see in the next few pictures!

Lyle played the lead role on getting the engine out and really thing he would have lifted the engine out himself if the front end loader didn't do it.  Great job Lyle.

Since I had some extra help from both of my sons, Lyle & Kyle and a couple friends, we got a lot more accomplished then normal.  We put some West System Filler 407 and covered the hull because of the hundreds of dings the hurricane and grinder caused.  It was a lot easier to fill the entire bottom then attempt all the spots.  

Special thanks to my gang for helping out! Even in the rain.