Prompted by a note from a member, here is the rundown on the removal of teak decks I mentioned in my earlier note. First unscrew, or pry out 2,000 plus screws from Bridge , mid and main decks. Then pry up teak much of which is glued down with something harder than teak, so prepare to break wood. Many hours of backbreaking work by friends who don't want to do it again, so who shall remain nameless. When all teak is off, grind off last of glue, calking, etc. Then drill out each hole with and enlarge bottom of holes by wobbleing bit. If you run into delamination at this stage, we did find some but not severe, so we drilled more holes in those areas. Then fill holes with epoxy, using a syringe. Where delamination exists, fill hole until it comes out the next. Then tape the last hole, and fill the next, etc. When holes are filled and set, grind the epoxy smooth to the deck. By this time you will have removed deck fittings, ladders, and any thing else that was screwed down to the teak. Find ways to reattach them to the deck. In some cases we made teak pads to put fittings at their original levels, or in the case of deck plates, we simply lowered them. Before refastening, enlarge the screw holes substantially, fill with epoxy, and bed the new screws into the epoxy. Now you must decide where you want sand, and where you will end the painting. In our case, the people who did the job were artists, and put no sand areas around deckfills, teak ladder pads, and a clear stripe down the center of the deck, or in some cases two. By the way the sand finish is hard to clean, as it sands the brush, cloth or towel you are cleaning with, so the clear areas around deck fills are important. Next you mask and prime. sand lightly. Then paint one coat of enamel. Then remask for the clear areas, and paint another coat of enamel, and immediately sprinkle sand in it. Repeat this step, and finish up with one over coat with no sand. Simple huh. Our friends who did the work, worked for $20.00 / hour. The total cost was $7,000.00, including materials, so they took home a little over 6K. I was elated. A Marina had estimated the job at $17,000.00. They worked in a covered slip, so they could work in any weather. They started on October 1, and we took the boat back on Thanksgiving weekend. What a deal The finished work looked like factory. I wish I could give you their names, but as I said they wish to remain anonymous. But I'd love to show you around. Come by and visit. Steve and Dayna Smith Partners'-Ship 34t Marine Trader DC at Spring Cove Marina Soloman's Md. drplanet@mindspring.com