Fixing Up 'Dirt Clawd' and Getting Ready

While we are waiting for the engine's power head to be rebuilt, the girls and I took some time to work on Dirt Clawd's appearance. The previous owner had mounted stereo speakers in the gunwales. (Gunwales are the upper edges of the wall of a ship. Originally, gun walls were, of course, where the guns were mounted.) The girls helped me design, build, paint, and stain inserts for the open cavities for additional storage. And, we did all the work in our garage.

With the truck loaded with cabinets and tools we drove over to DeBose Marine where Whitney DeBose is rebuilding the engine. He graciously allowed us to invade his parking area and install the cabinets. 

And, we also re-mounted a bench that Capt. Dad had removed prior to realizing that the girls would be irrevocably emotionally scarred if the bench was not available for them to perch upon like .... some sort of maritime medieval  'girl-goyles'. 

Whitney DeBose says that the engine will be back together Friday and he will begin the 'break-in' process by idling the engine for a couple of hours on double oil. Saturday morning I will ride along for the final several hours of break-in on the water. If all goes as planned ... the Stone Crab Kids should be pulling pots Saturday afternoon on their beloved 'Dirt Clawd'.