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         Visit the ORIGINAL Pelican page.

Pelican II is a 1978 23' Mako center console, purchased in November 2004 in the Florida Keys. 
Her previous owner had used her for sport-fishing and named her "Ruffian". 

She is equipped with a 1996 150hp Johnson two-stroke outboard engine.  Originally she was built with an I/O configuration, which was removed and replaced with a second fuel tank, and the outboard was mounted on a "Gill Bracket" which can also serve as a dive platform.
 
 
 

Here's a shot of "Ruffian" at her home on Little Torch Key, just after a sea trial.  There is lots of work ahead.  As she sits here she doesn't even qualify for a Vessel Safety Check. First, get her to where I can work on her.
	Pelican II was soon moved to Grassy Key where she can be worked on.  First, the T-Top canvas zipper and threadwork had dried out.  The T-top is in excellent shape, made by Sherman Marine in Marathon.  The canvas was orginally made for the T-top by Keys Quality Canvas, and they are now replacing the zipper and restitching the entire top as the Sunbrella material was in excellent condition.
The orginal name "Ruffian" had been applied with a combination of red paint and some form of metallic gold edging many years ago.  No amount of scrubbing cleaned this lettering off.  Thanks to a posting on the "Classic Mako" website: http://www.classicmako.com I applied oven cleaner, let it set, and 90 percent of the old name came off.
Here is the quarter panel with the name removed. The small amount of gold paint which resisted the oven cleaner, scaped off without damaging the gelcoat with a small Exacto blade, then the area was cleaned with rubbing compound, followed with an application of household shower cleaner.  Shower cleaner is also doing an excellent job cleaning up the "chalky" areas of the gelcoat.

	Pelican II gains her own name and  personality.  Today, her new name was hand-lettered on the port side by a dear  family friend, Larry Listing of Key Colony  Beach, FL.  Larry is a retired exhibit  company owner who early in his career  learned the fine art of hand lettering .  We are grateful that he now enjoys  doing this fine lettering while retired.
	Larry arrives to start the starboard side  lettering, and we have the chance to see  how REAL boat lettering is done!
	Larry applies his "stencil"  using carbon dust to transfer the image through fine holes in the master template.
	The carbon powder transfers an outline  of the lettering that is to follow..
`	The entire name is "dusted on the boat.
	The stencil is removed.
	Painting begins, using a support rod, which Larry uses to guide the brush  strokes.
	Larry makes it look simple, as he paints where the stencil has left a powder outline.
	Larry's skill makes it look easy, but it is not. In this age of computerized decal lettering, it is a pleasure to see this kind of craftsman- ship.  Larry is going to return to outline the  lettering in light blue.. but it looks just fantastic as it is...
	The starboard side, with the  "basic" lettering completed.
	Check it out!!  Larry has applied the  "Finishing Touch". Bravo!  And so, this bird of the seas has come into her own.
Pelican II hits the water...	... and gets full family approval!!