_________________________________________________________________________
THE JUDGES ARE COMING TO INSPECT
OUR WORKMANSHIP.
****
WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED OUR TRUE
CHALLENGE WAS TO PRODUCE A QUALITY OF
WORKMANSHIP, IN THAILAND, THAT WOULD
BE JUDGED FAVOURABLY BY OUR PEERS IN
EUROPE.
*****
TWO DAYS BEFORE JUDGES ARRIVE
40 people working their hearts out.
Bodies everywhere, installing deckheads.
Last minute adjustments in the engine room.
Polishing and more polishing
Rush to get the leather sofas fitted.
20.30 hours, the night before judges arrive, we laid down our tools and went home. Tomorrow would be our day of reckoning.
LIKE MAGIC WE CREATED ORDER FROM CHAOS…..
The judges arrived in a 50-year-old, 50-knot, restored Cigarette speedboat, fitted with engines developing 1,000 HP.
Mike conducting the deck orientation tour.
Ked explaining modern instruments hidden in a fold-up box.
Chief judge photographing interior hull details.
The inspection team casting practiced eyes over our work.
Head shipwright Mike Howett explaining the restoration process that has led us to this point in time.
Head Judge Steve Watson, at debriefing meeting, with project managers Ked Krissadaraksa and Des Kearns.