Pierceton Man Fulfills Dream By Restoring Yacht
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Since then he has continually upgraded by owning other sailboats, catamarans and a Hobbie Cat.
May spent time with his father, Jack, on his 40-foot Morgan sailboat in Florida, forming May’s dream to own his own sailboat and retire on the coastal waters that he remembered.
In July 2012, May and his wife, Korina, bought a 38-foot Irwin yacht. It had been sitting in a boat yard in Muskegon, Ill., for over two years and the harsh weather of the midwest was beginning to take its toll. They had the boat transported to Pierceton where a friend was willing to set it on his property by the Boat Guys and Storage for Les.
The next two and a half years were filled by restoration and major upgrading and the process of creating amenities for on-board living.
May began with the basics, including a general cleaning, sanding, polishing and new upholstery, then moved to full wood rejuvenating inside and out, new bottom paint and new canvas. May, a retired engineer with 34 years at Depuy, began designing a boat arch embellished with all the bells and whistles a sailor could ever want.
This includes a water maker/filtration system, solar panels, four fishing pole holders, a fish cleaning table, two grills, speakers, an outboard engine stand and the seats that hang over the water at the stern of the boat.
On the hull May created an elevating teak swim platform, and LED underwater lights, fish finder and transducer. The outdated navigation was replaced with more reliable new equipment. There will be two folding bicycles on board to use for shopping and exploring on land.
While May was discussing possible names with his sister, Tam Boocher, she suggested what he considered the perfect name: The Lady May.
The Lady May is relocating to Panama City, Fla., where it will be in a dock yard for two months to check out and approved for the water. They will stay in the Gulf area for one year before they begin traveling to the islands in the Caribbean.
In his love for the water, May personally built his own house on Big Barbee Lake 20 years ago on property that his grandfather, John Camden, developed in the late 1950s.
May is also a builder enthusiast of tree houses, crafting them for friends and neighbors. When his mother, Pat Knott, bought The Old Train Depot in Pierceton in 2006, May became her partner and designed and transformed the depot into a historical destination and venue.
High up at one end of the huge main room, he built a second-story loft area which became the bar and restaurant. When friends would comment on the wood panel walls and ceiling, the wall of glass windows and the wooden bar, he would say, “It's just a big tree house," according to information provided.[[In-content Ad]]
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Since then he has continually upgraded by owning other sailboats, catamarans and a Hobbie Cat.
May spent time with his father, Jack, on his 40-foot Morgan sailboat in Florida, forming May’s dream to own his own sailboat and retire on the coastal waters that he remembered.
In July 2012, May and his wife, Korina, bought a 38-foot Irwin yacht. It had been sitting in a boat yard in Muskegon, Ill., for over two years and the harsh weather of the midwest was beginning to take its toll. They had the boat transported to Pierceton where a friend was willing to set it on his property by the Boat Guys and Storage for Les.
The next two and a half years were filled by restoration and major upgrading and the process of creating amenities for on-board living.
May began with the basics, including a general cleaning, sanding, polishing and new upholstery, then moved to full wood rejuvenating inside and out, new bottom paint and new canvas. May, a retired engineer with 34 years at Depuy, began designing a boat arch embellished with all the bells and whistles a sailor could ever want.
This includes a water maker/filtration system, solar panels, four fishing pole holders, a fish cleaning table, two grills, speakers, an outboard engine stand and the seats that hang over the water at the stern of the boat.
On the hull May created an elevating teak swim platform, and LED underwater lights, fish finder and transducer. The outdated navigation was replaced with more reliable new equipment. There will be two folding bicycles on board to use for shopping and exploring on land.
While May was discussing possible names with his sister, Tam Boocher, she suggested what he considered the perfect name: The Lady May.
The Lady May is relocating to Panama City, Fla., where it will be in a dock yard for two months to check out and approved for the water. They will stay in the Gulf area for one year before they begin traveling to the islands in the Caribbean.
In his love for the water, May personally built his own house on Big Barbee Lake 20 years ago on property that his grandfather, John Camden, developed in the late 1950s.
May is also a builder enthusiast of tree houses, crafting them for friends and neighbors. When his mother, Pat Knott, bought The Old Train Depot in Pierceton in 2006, May became her partner and designed and transformed the depot into a historical destination and venue.
High up at one end of the huge main room, he built a second-story loft area which became the bar and restaurant. When friends would comment on the wood panel walls and ceiling, the wall of glass windows and the wooden bar, he would say, “It's just a big tree house," according to information provided.[[In-content Ad]]
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