THE START

Ralph, Beth, Mildred and Tom Dupres 

Leaving Beaumont Yacht Club

Anchored at Moody Gardens

     Months of intensive preparation-checking systems, final repairs and upgrades to navigation equipment, stocking of parts and supplies- finally we depart at dawn with our crew intact.  We are headed on the first leg of coming home--to Pier 77 on Galveston island for a haul out to check props, change anodes and freshen up the bottom paint.
     For those of you who don't know, Pier 77 is the premier marine repair facility in this area--they handle a good deal of the commercial repairs from Galveston and Seabrook-working on re powering "The Beast" out of Kemah Boardwalk and currently doing a bottom job on "The Princess" dinner cruise boat out of Clear Lake.
     This is a tight family business run by Rick Ryans who took over from his Father.  My hat goes off to Robbie, Jim and Mark--loyal employees who are very professional and responsive to pleasure boaters such as me.  A quality facility doing quality work.
    I know this sounds like an ad.  but its truly how I feel.  I am indebted to this crew-Docs Holiday was in their yard when Hurricane Ike centered on Galveston.   They even tied a rope around one of the crew so he could float out during the eye of the hurricane to check on the boats.  Now that is dedication!!!
    The trip over to Galveston was uneventful ( I can hear my in laws rolling their eyes) and we anchored out in Offatts Byou in front of the Moody Gardens Pyramids for the night then travelled the short distance to Pier 77 when the fog lifted the next morning.