In the Spring of 2007, Doc took on one of his biggest projects; building a 50 foot long, 50 foot tall pirate ship. The ship was to be used as a centerpiece for our 28th Annual Customer Appreciation Party in late September. Carver yachts of Pulaski donated the shell. Step one of the transformation was to remove hundreds of pounds of fiberglass & wood from the original shell. Once the shell was gutted, it was time to head to the lumber yard. Several trailer loads of rough-sawn lumber were brought in from the local sawmill to build the three levels of deck including the forecastle (galley) & the aftercastle (Captain's quarters). We cut our own cedar trees from the woods & hand-shaved them for the masts. Doc hand-fashioned his own yardarms & sails. He also tied his own rat lines leading up to the three handmade crows nests. Doc scoured rummage sales & flea markets to find real antique wooden pulleys, old ropes, antique shutters & windows. Six cannons were handmade for the ship & shutters on the cannon doors were also handcrafted. The figurehead at the front of the ship was hand-carved by Jim Lucht of Chainsaw Creations. The fully enclosed Captain's quarters feature antique oil lamps, chairs, & a table. The outside of the ship was finished off by covering the entire fiberglass shell with cedarlap siding. The siding was then antiqued to give it an old look. The crowning jewel of the ship is an authentic 125 pound wooden ships wheel. The ship is on display in the backyard at Doc's during the Spring, Summer, & Fall. Guests are welcome to carefully tour the ship at anytime. Children must be accompanied by an adult.