Stock Island Boat Yard
February 15 through 22, 2008 Stock Island Boat Yard:
This adventure begins in the Atlantic Ocean off Cudjo Key where we spent the night on the yacht Smilin Time. We were anchored just off shore for the night waiting until daylight where we could navigate to the Boat Yard on Stock Island. The owner plans to pull the boat out of the water where he is going to have work done on the propellers. While out of the water he is taking the opportunity to repaint the bottom and do some other maintenance that needs to be done. We needed to be at the boat yard first thing Saturday morning because that is when they were scheduled to pull us. The propeller people were also scheduled to meet us to pick up the propellers and take them back to Miami where the propeller shop is located. Just as we had finished breakfast, Jerry Andrews arrived on the Boston Whaler. Jerry came out to be our guide into the boat yard on Stock Island. Jerry is the Captain/owner of the Entertainer Charter Boat on Pensacola Beach. He knows the water around here almost as good as he does the water around Pensacola. We were fortunate to have someone with his knowledge to guide us through the reefs and into the boat yard on Stock Island. Rusty, Jerry's long time deckhand on the Entertainer was on the Boston Whaler along with Mr. Andrews (Jerry's Dad). After dropping Jerry off on the Smilin Time, they headed back to the Andrews house. They would drive our automobile from the Andrew's house to the Stock Island boat yard. It was a 20-mile run to the Stock Island boat yard. When we arrived Rusty and Mr. Andrews were there to greet us. Within minutes the boat yards travel lift had the Smilin Time on dry land.
Smilin Time
This is Steve, the owner of Smilin Time, as we are making our way to the Boat Yard on Stock Island.
Fast Cat to Dry Tortugas
This is the "Fast Cat" a boat that transports tourist from Key West to Dry Tortugas located about 70-miles west of Key West. It is tied up at the Stock Island boat yard where we are headed. They were changing out one of their diesel engines at the Stock Island Boat Yard.
Smilin Time in boat yard on Stock Island
Within just a few minutes the crew at the Stock Island boat yard had Smilin Time all blocked up. This is where we are going to be for several days, high and dry.
Sail Boat in the Stock Island Boat Yard
This sail boat was in the boat yard next to us. I am taking this picture from the Smilin Time. You will be seeing this old sail boat again before I finish this travelogue.
Old sail boat next to Smilin Time at Stock Island boat yard
A wealthy Texan purchased this old sailing boat that had been moored behind a famous restaurant in Key West and is paying a crew to repair it. I think the people working on the boat said the boat was constructed in Gloucester, Mass in 1969. According to the people working on this old boat the Texan plans to sail it to Texas where it will be transported to a lake for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. It is a grand old ship and is being returned to its former glory. The craftsmen working on this old craft are replacing the 2" mahogany planking on the side with genuine mahogany. There is a LOT of work still to be done. I promise to show you more of this grand old sailing boat before I finish this travelogue.
Sunrise from Stock Island boat yard
This is one of the sunrises we enjoyed while at the Stock Island boat yard.
Tresasure recovery craft at Stock Island boat yard
This specialized treasure recovery craft was also located next to us in the boat yard. Note the odd looking pipe attached to the stern of this boat. That large steel pipe directs prop wash down toward the bottom where sand and sediment is blown away from heavier items.
Treasure recovery boat at Stock Island boat yard
This is the stern end of one of the "treasure boats" in the boat yard with us. Those steel tubes you see attached to the stern are the dropped into position with the cages on the bottom folding under the boat so that they enclose the propellers. Then when the boat is put into gear the propeller wash is forced downward where it moves sand away from artifacts. It is effective to 80-feet deep. The relatively light sand is blown away exposing heavier "treasure" items.
Old sailing boat being restored at Stock Island boat yard
This picture of the old sailing ship gives a better view of some of the extensive restoration work going on at this boat yard on Stock Island.
Smilin Time at Stock Island boat yard
This is another picture of Smilin Time the 59' Carver Marquis we are working on here in the boat yard. Look closely and you can see the mast of that old sailing boat sticking out on the other side of the Smilin Time.
There are actually four more adventures in this series: Cudjoe Key at Sunset, Stock Island, Key West and Key West Boat Adventure
Click here for more Key West Travel Blogs
Until next time remember how good life is.
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Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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