Tuesday, June 9

The day started early, with Paul gathering all the Japanese craftsmen for a progress meeting (below). He covered all the various tasks that need to be done, and made a schedule leading up to the launching ceremony.

Murata applies varnish to the mizzen boom crutch (top and above). The leather, where the boom will rest, is covered in leather, stretched to shape and held with copper tacks.

Kakimoto fits the boxes that go between the deck beams and cover the tops of door frames and panels. The boxes look like continuations of the deck beams, and are a convenient space to hide wiring.

Massa has been working in the galley but the galley will have to wait as he turns his attention to the bathroom unit tops.

Kawashima fits a false beam in the main saloon. This serves the same function as the other boxes fitted between beams (see above) except this one runs across the ship instead of fore and aft. You can see the wiring that will eventually be hidden in the false beam.

Monday, June 15

Today was the first of many sail tests and full-scale training runs for the new Japanese crew. Under the guidance of Chuck and Nat, Shindori, Yokokawa, Saito, Tanaka, Fujita, Kawashima, Murata, and Pascal boarded for training. In the morning, it was extremely hot and almost windless, but as the sails went up afternoon, a good breeze picked up and Cynara began her first sailing voyage in many years. The wind was perfect and Chuck kept her on a straight course at first; for a while it seemed they would cross Sagami Bay. Then they turned back and returned to the marina in the late afternoon. Chuck was very pleased with the training.

Wednesday, June 17

The galley worktop takes shape. The space for the stove is almost ready to fit the stainless steel lining which will make keeping the area clean, easy and practical. The galley worktop is made in African mahogany but the cupboard fronts are in Honduras to match the guest areas.

The original pantry that was here before would have been very plain. But modern galleys are often used by owners and guests and so need to be of a similar quality to the rest of the guest areas.

A touch screen is fitted on the galley wall next to the door leading to the guest accommodations. This will allow the crew to monitor the ships systems, air conditioning and lighting without disturbing guests.

Friday, June 19

It rained all day today from morning, so it’s good to still have the tent for use as a workshop. John applies shellac to one of the fixed dressing seats that will be in the staterooms. The panels are ventilated as air conditioning units will be placed inside. These are all made in solid mahogany and traditionally joined.

Tuesday, June 23

Shingo and Murata are applying Danish oil to the hull ceiling in the crew quarters area. This “ceiling” is planking that goes against the inside of the frames, sealing off the interior from the hull. It was first used in the tea clippers that brought tea from China, to keep their precious cargo dry. Any moisture that makes it through the hull is stopped in its tracks by this “second skin.”

Work is continuing on the washbasins . . .

. . . and the saloon. Pascal and Ian are working on an A/C unit that is concealed inside the main saloon couch.

Tuesday, May 26

Prior to the sail tests, Chuck, as head of the rigging team (above), has been going over all the knots and attachments on the masts, booms and sails (below).

We’re getting close to the final days of the restoration. Protecting the deck and floors is a paramount concern. The mats are changed periodically to make sure nothing is trapped underneath that might scratch or dent the surface. The floor covers and furniture protection will not be removed until everything is completely finished. Everyone has to remove their shoes to keep the interior clean. Louis and John (top) have been among those working on the mahogany interior paneling.

Paul is explaining to the hatch cover maker the system that holds the covers on. We’re using the original system that involves a threaded plate fitted to the hatch with a knurled screw through holes in the covers.

Nat is cleaning the winch button rings, which prevent activating a winch by accidentally stepping on the buttons. This could be extremely dangerous if the winch is under load.

A mock-up of the mizzen boom scissor crutch in the workroom tent. The finished crutch will be placed under the mizzen boom to support and secure it and the gaff when not in use.

Wednesday, May 27

Mattis is working on a new dresser unit (top and middle) that will be used in one of the guest cabins. The original was missing, so this had to be newly made. The drawers (above) belong to another unit that goes in the owner’s cabin. These, along with the rest of the unit, are all original.

In the galley, the electrical wiring is being installed, and the frame for the stove is in the building process. The stove uses a gimbal so it will be able to tilt with the movement of the boat.  The frame shown here is a mock-up of the stove unit to make sure the tilting action will have enough space to swing.

Nat is working on all the details that go into the running rigging and main stays.  Just as with the woodwork, the detail, all done by hand, is astonishing.

Saito is polishing Cynara’s metal parts. Keeping the parts clean and well-oiled is part of the maintenance that Japanese members of the team are learning to keep Cynara ship-shape for years to come. It is a constant and never-ending job.

Thursday, May 28

Billy is preparing the anchor locker in the prow, where the chain will be stored when the anchor isup. He’s lining the locker with rubber to protect the wood from the heavy chain.

Monday, June 1

Chuck and Nat do a lot of preparation before each step of installing the rigging.

Richard is doing the inboard framing of the portholes.

The anchor chains consist of two lengths of 115 meters each. Saito is attaching markers at 10-meter intervals prior to loading them on Cynara.