We're getting seriously nervous. Funny actually, because there are only a few items left on our to-do list, which once seemed infinitely long. The biggest item on it: a new spray cap over the companionway.
They are currently being tailored by the professionals at Nauti-Sattler, Germany's largest specialist for yacht upholstery and roofs, which also works for many well-known series shipyards.
After the Dehly was in Radolfzell on Lake Constance for her PermaTeek deck anyway, where Daniel Hadamovsky and his team from the boat office work, the transport was child's play. Nauti's headquarters are only nine kilometers away in Singen, which is why Daniel kindly relocated the boat and trailer himself. We will not arrive back from Hamburg until Wednesday for the last photo and video recordings.
Fitting for the frame
Building a well-fitting and protective sprayhood is no trivial undertaking - which is why many sailmakers let the experts at Nauti take over. The optics must be right for one set: the cap must not be too big or small, the cloth must sit tight and wrinkle-free, and the whole thing must also be foldable. A jigsaw puzzle in three-dimensional space, in which even the professionals prefer to adapt to the living object.
The dehly stand in front of the hall in the Haselbusch model, while technical director Martin Duchet and his crew first cut the stainless steel rod to length and then laid a template for the cloth over it with transparent film. Today the sewing machine hums, and from Monday the Tenax buttons, piping rails and recordings will come into the deck.
It is already clear that our refit candidate will then look hard like a princess. Since the top painting by Peter Wrede, the gluing of the windows with MarinAcryl and the laying of the PermaTeek deck, our little one already looks noticeably tightened and rejuvenated. In our eyes, she now comes across as much more adult - but probably also includes a bit of parental pride.
Therefore, it is best to take a look at the end result for yourself: from May 24th in Neustadt an der Ostsee at the Hamburg AncorYachtfestival, where the Dehly will definitely be one of the most popular exhibition premieres. Only three more weeks!