At the End – November 2018
The first year of MARABU’s new beginning is over and Axel is at the end. After he fought his way through rust and mildew and stabilized the hull in summer 2017, since November 2017 keel and sterns were renewed, followed by more than 100 ribs which had to be rebuilt or restored if possible.
Now it has arrived at the transom. In comparison to the otherwise luxuriant dimensions, it emphasizes the elegant silhouette of the large cruiser yacht, almost graceful and slightly curved and slender at the rear.
More than 80 years ago it was made from a single piece of Swietenia mahogany (under the trade names Baywood /American Mahogany). The wood of the deciduous tree, which is under species protection today, is said to have a particularly high resistance to fungi and insects, as well as good stability. It is easy to work with and is regarded as one of the best shipbuilding woods.
In spite of everything the original, although already repaired in the course of the years, did not withstand the continuous stress. The rotteness has spread to such an extent that restoration is no longer possible.
Also at the joints of planks and deck the wood is decomposed. Not even the exact shape can be understood. Axel therefore has to guess a little when he uses the removed mirror as a form for the new building to glue several layers of Kaya mahogany onto it.
In order to be able to create a better adhesive and support surface for the new planks in the rear outlet, he manufactures solid wood pieces optimally adapted to the rounding with millimetre precision. This mirror frame means that neither the end grain of the planks nor that of the mirror will be exposed to the weather later.
The good sense of proportion of the experienced master pays off when he balances the impressive workpiece up the stairs to the rear of the MARABU.
The new transom immediately blends into the gaping gap above the stern.