The countdown is running

On March 20, 2022 we signed the contract for our new ship. A good year later, on April 30, the handover was to take place. Well, as it is with buildings and believe me everyone, I'm an expert on this, it usually takes a little longer (that's right, wink) In this case we're not even unhappy, it helped us to get a year in South Africa. We had the chance to get to know a new, wonderful country. There were also great experiences, many adventures and, last but not least, new, wonderful people and friends.

Despite everything, the countdown is on until launching and also all work on the ship.

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The big day will begin early in the morning with the transport of the yacht from the industrial area to the port. We will be at the forefront and report to you; not live but maybe with a short film and some photos.

Then the mast is raised and the sails are raised. After that, the commissioning of the ship begins and the seatrails are carried out. All of this takes about three weeks. Good things take time, our grandparents already knew, we stick to it. Then we move in and we settle into our new home. Believe us, we are so excited and can't wait! All the holidays and birthdays of this year come together at once. The champagne is already chilled and the celebrations are in the planning stages. We hear here and there from our friends and acquaintances whether there will be a ship christening and a party for the inauguration? Let everyone surprise you!

A lot of work has been done on the ship since our last report on April 23rd. The painting work in the interior (spray paintings) has been completed and the carpentry work and the installation of the many components has begun. At the end of the week, every Friday, is our viewing appointment. On the one hand we have the opportunity to see how far the work has progressed, on the other hand we can also discuss detailed questions and make decisions on the spot. Despite very precise planning with a 3D model and detailed catalogues, there are small things that can be dealt with better one-to-one "on the construction site". Gottfried's heart still beats for construction projects and what could be nicer than building your own ship; yes, you are right, maybe two, smile.

5. May

The installation of the portholes and the glazing has started. It will only be real glass with laminate, i.e. safety glass used, no Plexiglas like on many other ships.

All built-in furniture is modeled in the 3D model and then read out, i.e. the data is sent to a CNC milling machine, which then cuts the exact parts to size. You can see numbers printed in some places on the photos. These address the individual parts and their locations. Then everything inside the ship is assembled and glued together and laminated firmly to the hull. The built-in furniture is all made from Errexfoam panels and weighs a fraction of ship plywood. The overall expansion also helps to strengthen the construction (honey-comb system). Two or three more days and then the basic configuration will be complete.

The spray painting work is in full swing. The paint is sprayed on in several layers, in between sanding and priming. This work is very time-consuming and is carried out with protective suits and full-face masks. Various roof fans are installed to ensure adequate ventilation.

9. May

Today we meet Peter the designer and Malan the master carpenter in the wood workshop. This is where the door frames, tables and fixtures with drawers for the kitchen are made. The inserts in the drawers for knives, bottles, etc. are discussed. All fixtures are individually manufactured according to our wishes and are fitted precisely. The drawer bodies are made of ship plywood, the doors with a core panel in lightweight construction. Only the customers wear the helmet as protection if there are too many wishes and questions!

Then we went to the ship. The patterns for the Flexiteak floor covering in the cockpit and on the sugar scoops are being made today.

10 . May

Hope dies last. The target date was 13 June, but now it's the end of the month. We are taking it easy. Two weeks more or less means nothing. For the production of a complex ship, that is already a precision landing. For us, it's better to do everything in peace. Finish and

then put it in the water. In the meantime we have also learned a lot and dealt with the subject of boat building. It is an extremely complex job to build blue water vessels of such quality and according to customer requirements. The level of detail is tremendous and countless hours are expended in the planning and construction. Last but not least, everything is meticulously documented and the manuals later help the owner to find his way around. Precisely built ships and installations are also a blessing for later repairs, which will certainly come. Despite a small delay, we are happy that things are progressing so quickly!

12 . May

It's Friday again. Time's running. This week was entirely devoted to the Najuma. The installation of the glazing continues, the deck hatches are already installed. It goes on in quick succession.

While the wall paneling is being installed in the hulls, the spray painting continues in the salon. Room after room is completed hand in hand. Today we are joined on our tour by Leon, the production manager, and Grant, CEO and partner. We feel very well looked after by the company and excellently supported through all construction phases.

19. May

One week follows the next. We are amazed at how quickly things are progressing. Some deck fittings are already installed and the last attachments, such as the holder for the compressed air bottles for diving, are installed in the outer storage compartments. Piet familiarizes me with some details in the front hospitals and in the chain locker. He accompanies the detailed construction and will also be responsible for the commissioning in the port. The roof for the helm station is being prepared next to the ship.

The electrical installations have started. The photos show the equipment room where all lithium batteries will be installed. The room has direct access from the outside. In addition, a large dimensioned fan is installed for ventilation.

A view of the equipment room. This is located midships forward of the saloon with access from the port hull.

The expansion and design are taking shape and giving you an idea of what it will look like one day. As you can already see, we decided to finish with walnut. The design of the elements is based on traditional shipbuilding elements with cut-outs, frames and attached gates. This design helps to prevent creaking noises, as is often the case with subsequently installed partitions and furniture. The look has something "ship-like" paired with modern elements, colors and materials. The wooden mesh used is used to ventilate the cabinets. Each of the three cabins has an ensuite bathroom with a large shower and every comfort.

26. May

It's Friday again and we're on our way to the shipyard. The anticipation is always great and at this stage of boat building, a new ship seems to be waiting for us every week. After removing the molds last year, the progress of the work seemed to be in slow motion and the work never seemed to come to an end. Countless panels were milled, glued, laminated and sanded. Panel by panel, layer by layer, a great job that never seemed to end. In this respect, the current works seem to be the icing on the cake. We like it, we have an aha experience every week.

The windows for the salon are prepared and glued in place. The hatch covers are also ready and waiting to be installed.

The fresh water pumps have been installed and the electrical installations are being constantly updated. In the end, kilometers of cables run through the ship. The forepeak is fully developed with side frames according to our specifications.

The surfaces are glued to the basic furniture, the frames and gates are mounted. The inte-riors are taking shape.

The super pump for our fenders has arrived! Many thanks Iris & Volker, from today we are also part of it! On our ship, fenders are now also used like on the mega yachts; maybe not that big haha. These are adapted to the size of the boat, i.e. they cover about 70% of the freeboard (height from the water surface to the deck) and can withstand quite a bit; up to 4.5 tons load. With these "air cushions" we are now well prepared for the next ports and marinas. When not in use, simply deflate and stow away, it's that easy.

2. June

The DB board (main distribution) is already set up. Fuses and distribution bars are installed in the channels and rooms provided for this purpose. The diesel cleaning system is already connected to the tank.

Final carpentry work is in progress. Ventilation grille and table are ready for painting. It goes forward in seven league boots.

Current pictures from last Friday, we are so excited!

5. June

Visit Caspar in the upholstery shop (www.cazco.co.za). He makes all the upholstery for the saloon, the bench seats and chairs in the cockpit, and the ceiling and wall coverings. Cutting and sewing, all done by hand with a lot of know-how and skill. We are always welcome and can follow the progress of the work.

to finish.........

No Knysna Yacht Company without a fleet, no fleet without a Knysna Yacht Company. The shipyard has very close ties with all of their customers and helps to keep the ships in good shape as part of the contract and beyond. There is an owner group on WhatsApp that helps each other, and Grant and Craig, the company owners, are also involved. That gives a lot of confidence in the product and in the shipyard.The Najuma has the hull number 99. We do not know how exactly the number was counted, but it is an impressive number. It all started with the construction of the model Knysna 44 more than 20 years ago, and customers are already waiting for number 105 today. Keep it up!