While Chris was painting, we were "polishing the silver". The muffler system was rebuilt by ZP including installation of a new pump and air lines.

As the date moved closer and closer to Key West, the calendar started to make me feel like we were the players in one of those Reality TV shows where the project gets finished at the last minute. And we still had no interior! Fortunately the business end of the boat was almost done.

Jim Cowan and the crew at Premiere Performance Interiors didn't let us down. Although it went right down to the wire, we are very pleased with the result. There's a little more to be done, but it was looking like we might just make it to Key West!

I almost forgot! For the cockpit floor, we wanted something unique and functional. Enter Castaway Customs and Seadeck. Great stuff.

Castaway also cut Seadeck for the saddle tank tops in the engine room. Again functional and way up on the cool meter!

As the days wound down to departure date, everyone wondered if Lock & Load would be ready. A special thanks is in order to Cigarette Brother First Gun for all his efforts. He was always ready to lend a hand or even more importantly find some obscure part!
ZP and I water tested the boat on Wednesday before Saturday departure. Whew, that was close!

Our friend Roberta at D&R Canvas actually finished the covers on Friday, barely 12 hours before we departed. We trailer from home in Crystal River to Key Largo to begin each Key West Race Week. The new covers not only fit perfectly, they look good too!

After three great days in Key Largo, it was off to Key West. Everything ran perfectly, the Galleon had great slips for us and it was most gratifying to hear some kind words and compliments from folks on the dock. Former owner Carl was gracious and his comments on how the restoration turned out made us proud. It made all those long nights and weekends so worth it!

The perfect end to my story came on the way home when we stopped along the way for a quick visit with our brand new (10/11/12) granddaughter! ...and I have no idea why the very last photo I want to post will not upload upright...

Beautiful boat, this needs its own thread. Thanks for the kind words.