April 8 - Arrival in Rockport, Texas

The boat arrived in Rockport on Thursday April 8….now the work begins. We had her set up in the yard at House of Boats. I removed the old name before she was taken off the truck. Sweet Melissa is gone and The Pearl has arrived.

It only took Rick at the boatyard three hours to remove the old bottom paint and get her ready for new paint. We spent most of Thursday just watching them do the work on the bottom and haul.

Friday we started our work. Stan stayed busy in the engine room while I cleaned the cabin. It took three days of hard cleaning to get it to the point where I could say it was clean and ready to live in. I couldn’t believe how dirty it was. I used Murphy’s Oil Soap to remove all the dirt and grime from the wood, then I had to come back and oil all the teak. She is beginning to feel like home.

Stan is doing routine maintenance work on the engine and other jobs that are easier to do while she is on land. The yard has finished painting the bottom and is working on waxing the haul. The Pearl will be in great shape by the time we bring her home to Port Lavaca.

Backing into the boat yard.

Taking her off the truck.

Getting her in her place.

Ready for the work to begin.

Old paint is gone.

The new paint...looks great!