Almost Ready to Set Sail!

This past week has basically been a furious push to finish this crazy project! As we continued to put finishing touches on the ship, I came to realize that I could have very well given it another name: "The Overkill." That has been the theme of this entire project, from conception to planning to execution!

Did I need to build a 20' long pirate ship in my backyard? NO.
Did I need to use enough carriage bolts to keep a foundry busy for an entire year just for a simple playhouse? NO.
Did I need to make a crow's nest out of an old whiskey barrel to make it look realistic? NO.
Did we need to build a dock with boarding ramp to make it more "authentic?" NO.
But, did I want to do all these things? YES.

As I have mentioned before, I have inherited this trait from my family to over-think, over-design, over-promise and over-execute. It is just the Byers way. And my training as an engineer has only exacerbated this problem!

Daddy and Pop showing Little Dude the proper fastening technique

Trying by himself!

I sincerely hope that our Little Dude and all of his friends get many years of fun out of this unique project! I know I will never forget the many trips to Home Depot/ Lowes, the hot summer afternoons and the late nights thinking about the next steps on the project. Until then, these few pictures are all I need to know it has all been worthwhile!

Swabbing the decks!

"Hey Chesney, come up and play!"

Ready to go down the slide!

He just couldn't wait to put on pants and a shirt!

Currently we sit at ~90% complete with less than 4 days to the party. The only major items that are left are to mount the stairs to the captain's quarters, stairs up to the dock, the rope rails, the swings and of course, the captain's wheel!

The dock and boarding ramp

Almost there!

Stay tuned!

TWB

All Hands on Deck!

There has been a significant uptick in progress over the past two weeks, mostly because we are in crunch time with less than 10 days to the christening of The Becky's Revenge. My wife had to go out of the country for a little over a week for a school research project, so my parents were able to work out their schedules to come visit Little Dude and help out with this massive construction project. Luckily my Dad has previous playhouse construction experience (as well as countless other carpentry and woodworking projects,) so we have been able to kick it into high gear over the past couple of days. Also have to give a shout out to my mom as she has played the important role of toddler wrangler (which is not an easy job!) So far we have been able to complete the deck, get the port side of the hull attached and do some other minor clean-up work.

The Becky's Revenge weathered her first hurricane-strength storm this week with 70+ mph wind gusts!

Front of the ship!

Port hull being attached.

Little Dude checking out the height with Pop.

"Whoa, Daddy, this is awesome!"

Over the next couple of days, we will be finishing the starboard side of the hull, working on the ship's railings and installing the stairs/ ramp. Wish us luck as we run out of time!


Stay tuned,


TWB