Lady Patricia  is a 1955 Greavette Dispro , and one of the last incarnations of the craft . This particular boat is  one of only four dispros originally fitted with a reverse gear . The transmission was removed sometime in the past fifty years  , but part of the restoration will include restoration and replacement of a reversing transmision .

I've done several Greavette dispro's over the years , and just realized that I haven't put any on my web page . So I've decided to chronicle the restoration of Lady Patricia to illustrate what is typically involved once you decide to look under the floorboards of a not so bad looking boat that was in service just before coming in to the shop .

 The job begins with removal of the engine , floors and device , followed with an attempt at de-greasing . I say "attempt " , because even after a gallon of commercial de-greaser , followed by several gallons of hot soapy water , the very bottom planks are still impregnated with oil through and through . Getting rid of the top layer of grease and grime keeps the new planks reasonably clean as they are put in .  I've also noticed that the women at the grocery store don't drop the change into my hands from a foot above for fear of coming into contact with my blackened hands .