Last pre-launch visit -- 6 July

This would be the last time to visit Craig Partridge Yachts before the launch.  Next time we see the boat, she'll be about to touch water in Wellington.  

It's been really good to visit Kerikeri, each trip is like a brief, intense micro-holiday, and it's always good to catch up with Craig and progress.  While it's hard to think of a more geographically inconvenient boatbuilder when you're based in Wellington, Craig and his team are awesome so there is no question it's being built incredibly well with no small amount of talent and care that the result is great.   I always feel like I'd like to be able to spend more time there.  On this visit I remembered to look at most of the progress, but there was so much going on that I completely forgot to see the keel and bulb... however, lots to look at...  

The deck and cabintop was being prepared for painting later that day so most of the pics are from inside.  First up, electronics are going in, these are just behind the aft bulkhead.

Behind the switch panel, connections are getting set up

With the interior paint finished, and everything now able to be fitted/mounted inside, the interior surfaces are covered in parts.  

Here's the bit that has makes Vesna grin every time she opens it -- the drawer in the galley has a glorious soft-close mechanism

I was able to tear her away from opening and closing the drawer for a few seconds to get a picture of her near the carbon twill 'feature wall'.  The retractable prod is so long that it extends into the front of the saloon.. not ideal, but an extra something to hang on to, and a very small price to pay for going fast and grinning a lot.

Heads with sink and shower/tap fitting

A few out-of-the-boat pics.  First the keel retention bolt... the yard guys have a different name for it, vaguely to do with retention, but not repeatable in polite company.

Here's the retracting prod, made at C-tech in Auckland.  It's currently 4.7m long, but most of that stays inside the fixed prod and front of the boat.  Apparently it needs to be quite strong.  Glamorous assistants: Dave Roberts and Rob.

And lastly, from the Department of Strangely Compelling:  I had a go at using photosynth to make some panoramas.  There was lots going on with sorting out electronics and having to get out of the way for painting prep, so I didn't spend lots of time on them (and it shows) but they are still pretty interesting ...

Cockpit :

Saloon, from just in front of mast

Interior from bottom of companionway steps.  That's Bob Evans, electrician, sitting in the companionway.