Betty's Face Lift, Our Boat's Retirement

Check out these outriggers. They stood 63' tall.
So glad they are gone!

   We bought Miss Betty early March 2011 in Topsail Island, NC.  She was still in use as a shrimp boat, or would be again at the return of the season. We say that she is living the retired life now; the refit is like her face lift & botox. 

Funny sign outside of the fish house. Great place, wonderful people!

   We found her docked at the Surf City fish house. We stayed at the fish house for about a month after we made the purchase & we were lucky enough to get to know some of our favorite souls we've ever encountered. We had a blast with them all!   Our boat, while new to us, was a staple at the Surf City Crab Fresh Seafood Market, so many of the locals would wind up cracking a few cold beers on the back of the boat with us at the end of their shifts. Local, fresh fish was brought up to the dock everyday, and boy were we happy to partake with the "fish house boys" when delving into the goods; quality seafood with a side of fun.

Cheers on St. Patty's day!

There's some magic happening right here with a Fry Daddy & some fresh seafood. Just another day in Paradise.

  

All the fun we had notwithstanding, we immediately set to work getting the rigging and other shrimpy accouterments off her aft deck, which promptly became my dance floor. Yes, that's right. I twirled, I cart-wheeled, & I sashayed across the now immense and uncluttered space, completely enthralled by the transformation. I even got my darling to put on his boogie shoes & take me for a spin around the dance deck... & we have yet to take those dancing shoes off! Countless nights have turned into an impromptu dance party. We plan to build a bar back there & of course get a hot tub for those cooler summer nights.  As it is, all we have are a couple of fold out camping chairs & a grill to accompany the gorgeous view, and that is plenty for now.  Can't complain.

I do not envy this man's job. He crawled out there
like a spider monkey & proceeded to yield that
fiery torch to remove each outrigger, one by one. It was one hell of a process!

There goes one outrigger.

Miss Betty minus the giant outriggers. Next stop, Wilmington NC to get the steel A-frame removed. 3/2011