Blog — Wednesday, 8 April, 2020

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

The state of Cynara has progressed at pace since last Monday, when she was transferred to the water by the big sea crane. We are working on the benches on the left and right side in the doghouse, the rails for the sliding hatches and other areas of the boat.

Adding more coats of varnish to the many varnished surfaces on the deck is continuing every day. In this cherry blossom season we are blessed with days of fine weather which is ideal for varnish work.

Tomorrow, the fuel truck will come to prepare for the upcoming engine start. We will not fill up, but add just enough fuel for test running the engine and for test sailing after the mast is fitted.

Mattis started work on the mahogany saloon cabin table. It is an original dropleaf type that is gimballed to allow level positioning while the ship is heeled. After it is disassembled, Paul will judge whether to repair the top by strengthening the damaged areas, or to cut out the damage and replace it with new timber, or to make a replica based exactly on the original.

Next week we will step the masts—the process of raising them into place. Chuck has been watching weather forecasts to pick a day with little or no wind.

The teak cover for the windlass switch to be installed on deck. On modern boats these switches are usually protected by plastic covers, but on a historic boat like Cynara, such a plastic cover would not be suitable. The carpenters have come up with a pleasing wooden solution that protects it from being accidentally stepped on.

Chuck is making last-minute preparations on the wires prior to stepping the masts.

Kawashima is attaching hinges to the doors leading to the engine room.

Above and below: some of the joinery used in making the drawers.