Work is still ongoing on deck, but much of the focus has shifted to the interior. The mahogany panels are starting to be installed, and some of the cabin partitions constructed of poplar (as were the originals) have been trial fitted. The original desk from the main saloon is being repaired, and it’s a time-consuming process: Repairs are made, replacing broken or decayed parts, which eventually must be matched to the original wood finish. Then the original shellac is removed.

The electrical wiring work also continues. Much of it has to be installed under the floor, where the space is limited and the temperature is chilly.

In the engine room, the frame supporting the floor plates was dry fitted. Next to be installed are the floor plates, which are checkered aluminum.

Back on the deck, the caprails (also called capping rails) that run the length of the boat are being varnished. Like the masts, they require many, many coats.

Paul’s decorative detail at the bow—which is a copy of the original—is completed to the undercoat stage, and the floral patterns are gradually emerging.

The decorative detail at the stem, which is a copy of the original design, was done by Master Shipwright Paul. 

Richard and Nico are studying the deck plan, discussing the correct deck hardware positions.

Kawashima is cutting the mortices in the frame for one of the bulkheads.

The desk from the main saloon has been stripped of shellac before final restoration. Notice the way the side panels have been cut to fit the slope of the hull.

After being spray-painted in an elegant dark blue color, chosen by Mr. Watanabe, the mooring bitts, fairleads, and hardware for the bowsprit are being laid out on deck in their various positions. The varnishing team is taking a break from mast varnishing and is now focusing on applying varnish to the bulwarks, coach house bases, etc., using the techniques they learned from the professional shipwrights. The sandpapering is repetitive and very laborious work, requiring the craftsman to keep his body bent over while sanding along the curved shape of Cynara’s brightwork for hours.

Ben is in charge of the installation of the pipes, ducts, and other equipment under the floors. Much of the interior work has to be carried out simultaneously, but the team is working efficiently in the limited space and time available. Furniture, much of it original, is temporarily installed to check for best fit, then removed for fine adjustments, restoration, and varnishing. The colors in the superb flame mahogany paneling of the saloon and corridors are beautiful and elegant.

Later this month, the rigger team will arrive on site to complete the mast, and prepare the rigging.

Toshi, the furniture designer / cabinetmaker is fitting the retaining strips which hold the cupboard door insert panel in the frame.

The capping rail is held using mortice and tenon joints.

Nico, our Italian shipwright, is making winch bases in teak for the 9 winches to be fitted on deck.

The year 2020 will certainly be one to remember, as this is the year we hope to complete the restoration of the classic English gaff ketch Cynara.

The detailing and fine tuning of the many deck fittings is underway. Some team members were making plywood patterns for the tempered 6mm and 8mm glass for skylights and windows. Others were installing the heavy, beautiful deep blue-colored windlass on the foredeck. The steering gear mounted in its cast bronze open style gearbox has been in place for a few weeks, and it is now time to start fitting the varnished timber outer covering. At first, we were planning to repair the original, but it was in particularly bad shape compared to the other restored furniture. The original was plain teak so we made the decision to build the new one using teak framed panels to match the other original deck furniture.

Graham continued to install the copper sheathing, and is moving on to the next step, which is pre-installing and checking, removing and trimming the oversize copper parts, followed by installing and checking again. He does this time and time again, until he is satisfied that everything fits perfectly.

A lot is going on inside the boat. Lewis was installing panels, and Ben was doing the engineering. The original furniture needs many micro adjustments to allow for the changes in dimensions, as Cynara now has a full set of new frames, deck beams and deck. Painting, lacquering, and varnishing is being done in the furniture workshop next door to semi-finish each piece before installation.

Meanwhile Paul has started his own work of art: carving flower-and-leaf patterns at the bow and stern as continuations of the cove line. It’s some amazing craftsmanship!

Exactly one year ago, only 70 percent of the external planking on her new frames had been installed.  Now she is already approaching the completion of her restoration (well, on the outside anyway!).

In wintertime, varnishing outside in the sun is rather pleasant, especially when it’s crowded inside.

The outside looks beautiful after many coats of paint and varnish.

Cladding sheets of copper onto the rudder is detailed and time-consuming work.

Ben is laminating in teak a bulkhead which will be fitted under the floor just ahead of the mainmast step. It stops any silt laden or rust laden seawater (from a dirty anchor and chain) from running under the tanks towards the deeper bilge areas aft.  (That’s a 100-year-old 50kg piece of Cynara original lead ballast, helping to compress Ben’s glue joint.)