The plug is finished. We now have to put 15 coats of hand-rubbed wax on her and then lay-up the new mold over the top. The plug is perfect and smooth as glass.

Jerry Montgomery with his little helper Natalie (Bob's daughter)

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Before applying the non-skid pattern, the deck is taped off.

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Jerry Montgomery (with helper) applying the non-skid base. Notice the deck is being taped off to define the non-skid area. We use red so we can see the wax better.

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Non-skid is applied and she looks great!

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Bob Eeg and the deck plug.

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Stern view, still in the rotating mold...

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...and from the bow.

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The forward scuttle hatch plug...

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... and the main companionway hatch plug.

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Jerry and I have completed removing the new deck mold from the plug and it looks great!
We welded up a pipe frame that reinforces the mold and then welded on the wheels upside down. Using our hoist we lifted the mold from the plug. It came off after about 15 minutes of placing wedges around the perimeter of the deck. We have already wet sanded and polished the front half. Looks great and is polished to a mirror finish. Can't wait to spray the new deck and lay it up.

All three hatch molds have been polished, sprayed and laid up. I will "pull" them this afternoon.

We had to make a new centerboard plug because the one we did earlier wouldn't work for the foundry we delivered it too. Seems they're going to sand cast it as a loose part and it will be made of BRONZE. Very heavy but will keep the 23 stiff and weatherly.

Jerry will return March 4th and we expect to lay-up the deck.