Pandora is almost all done… Wow, shiny…

When I first contracted to have Amos of Perfect Finish in Trinidad do the work on Pandora, now more than a year ago, we agreed that he would keep me posted every step of the way.

Having Pandora more than 2,000 miles away and wondering if the work was progressing was a big concern.

Well, when we set up the “deal” last July, Amos agreed to keep me informed as things progressed and he has been true to his word. Since mid May he has done many video tours with me and sent countless photos, surely over 100 to document every detail of the work

A few days ago I asked him to supply me with current photos of the hardware being re-installed and today these photos showed up.

I continue to be amazed with how shiny things are. Everything on deck was a uniform blah for years. Not now. And, putting the tempered glass back in place. Love those nifty sucker things.

Inside and out, fully masked to keep glue from making a mess. The last time I had them re-bedded the guy didn’t mask well and over time the residual glue turned black. This looks much better. Details, details 🙂

They pulled off all of the deck hardware before painting. It will be nice to be certain that there won’t be any leaks under old bedding.

For years this block of clutches leaked water into the workshop down below. I tried to remove them a few years ago and couldn’t get them off. Done!

The number of tiny fittings that had to be removed and replaced was, well, a LOT like this row of teeny tiny canvas fasteners.

It always bugged me that the Hoyt boom for the jib was all scratched up and pitted from thousands of miles of use. Hardware re-attached and all shiny now. Well, at least for a while until it is scratched again.

When I get back I will be working with Mitchel, the welder, to make up a break to secure the boom when I am off the wind. In the past there was a tendency for the boom to jibe violently in a seaway so running wing and wing didn’t go well. Details to come but I think he has a good feel for what I am looking for. I hope that my idea works. Stay tuned. Me too…

The one major issue that wasn’t included in the overall job agreement was yet another damp area in the after portion of the cockpit. We had talked about this problem before leaving the boat in May but we didn’t know the extent of the damage until it was opened up. The core was wet due to a change made by the prior owner that were not properly waterproofed. The small leak soaked the area aft of the binnacle. It’s now been fully restored. The non-skid vinyl decking material will be reapplied this week and it will look as good as new.

The binnacle will also be repainted as there was much corrosion.

So many details like the transition from the aft deck to the transom. That stainless strip was very discolored. Not now.

So, here I sit putting yet another post up about Pandora’s refit and it’s hard to believe that I will be back aboard her in ten days.

All I can say is that She’s almost done and it looks like Amos and his crew have come through.

Yup, I’m excited. Now I am wondering if the engine will start as nobody has been focused on that.
Great…something more to worry about.

At least she’s shiny…

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