The Plover Project -- Overview

In May of 2010, Chris and I found Plover on the internet. A 1966 24 ft. custom Atkins ketch, she was located in Dana Point, California. We immediately put down a small deposit and Chris flew to California to look at her. We decided to buy her and made arrangements to have her shipped to Galveston. We both went to Dana Point to get her ready for shipment and took a brief sail in the Pacific Ocean.

When you look at these pictures, you are probably thinking, "What a cool boat. Perfect in every way." Unfortunately, what we found was that Lin Pardey was right when she advised, "Paint hides rot." And, of course, there is the point that this boat is almost 50 years old, a long time for a plywood boat to survive if not cared for properly.

One small project led to another until we were beyond the point of no return and a total renovation was the only answer. Fortunately, Chris has a good working knowledge of boat building and repair so we have been able to do all the work ourselves. With his good supply of salvaged materials from previous boat projects, we have been able to reduce some of the cost.

Our boat is now "on the hard" in San Leon, Texas. We are close enough to the water to hear the work boats chugging up and down the channel and, if we listen closely, a whistle buoy on Galveston Bay. There is a pack of coyotes who sing to us at night and cause us to keep a close watch on Major as they sometimes come quite near.

This is Plover while in Dana Point, California:

The Interior: