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WEST BOUNTIFUL — A West Bountiful cabinetmaker set out to build an 18,000-pound boat from scratch in his backyard and recently finished his project after 14 years of building.
Mike Stock estimated the project would take five years. Fourteen years later, it's now complete. Thursday, a crane arrived to lift the boat up and out of Stock’s backyard for the first time.
"I never really pictured this day," said Luchelle Rose, Stock's daughter.
Stock followed a step-by-step plan he found online. By himself, he built the 35-foot boat complete with three floors and enough room to sleep 12 people.
“It’s like anything in life. If you start doing something, it’s about finishing,” Stock said.
Stock named the boat "Lovely Luz" after his wife Luz. He said she has been his biggest inspiration.
“It’s called love. I mean that’s what it’s all about — supporting each other and believing and following your dreams,” said Luz Stock.
Neighbors too have fallen in love with this man and his vision.
“The whole neighborhood has watched him through this,” Lisa May, a neighbor of Stock's, said.
Thursday morning, neighbors came out of their homes bringing chairs and cameras, hoping to capture the final moments.
“It’s hard to believe just one man built that boat,” Phillip Paul May said.
No one is ready to see Stock and his boat go.
“It’s going to be sad,” May said.
Friends were invited to continue the journey, but they know it's an adventure for two.
“We said our goodbyes,” Brad Gibbs said.
“I’ll miss that guy,” May said.
In five hours, 14 years of work was lifted without a hitch and placed onto a trolley ready to be taken away.
“All you have to do is start chipping away at something and pretty soon you have something worthwhile,” Stock said.
The boat will arrive in Sarasota, Florida, on Tuesday. The couple will then be able to answer their biggest question, "Will it float?"
The Stocks have sold their home in Utah and plan to live on the boat.
