also causes distortion of the hull, so disproportionate amounts of filling compound are needed to get a smooth paint surface. For this reason, when the yacht is to be built in aluminium, we are happiest working with yards like The Royal Huisman Shipyard or Kees Cornelissen in Holland or Sensation Yachts in New Zealand. By dealing with known quality, the extra confidence allows a smoother construction programme with less need for close supervision.

After the hull and primary deck are completed the yacht is turned over to build the superstructure, with interior painting, pipe runs, electrical wiring, ducting and foundations for the accommodation joinery now added. Often a major segment of the deck or superstructure is left off the hull to allow easy access to the interior. Major components such as the engine, driveshaft, bow thruster, generators and prefabricated joinery, must be systematically integrated into the yacht at exactly the right moment. By now there will be over 2,000 man hours going into the project each week.

Decisions covering a wide variety of subjects from choice of pillow covers to the design and printing of the yacht's letter paper, from the layout of the interior lighting to the location of the lined silverware drawers all have to complement each other to create a harmonious whole. Things happen fast during the final weeks of construction, as major items are crossed off the check list. What one day appears to be a haphazard chaos emerges a few days later as a cabin complete in every detail to a standard of luxury and finish which seemed impossible.

Eventually the moment comes to prepare the boat for her launch. Like a bride on her wedding day, she must look her best. Fortunately paint technology has developed in parallel with all the other components which have brought about the renaissance of the large cruising yacht. The aliphatic polyurethane coatings developed by Awlgrip offer standards of protection and finish of which Herreshoff or Nicholson never dreamed. Awlgrip manufactures an aviation paint which is applied to yachts as a complete paint system with each component formulated to work together. Whether for an aircraft or yacht, the paint system must above all protect the metal underneath. The longevity and brilliance of the gloss finish of these paints is a bonus. We recommend that the final topcoat is a clear lacquer, which protects the glosscoat underneath, including any signwriting or style lines, adding an exceptional lustre and depth of gloss. It also makes it easier to patch over small scratches, because there is no colourmatch problem if the pigmented coating has not been affected.