This Blackfin 24 was in for major hull repairs in March last year. The boat had suffered a severe collision with a navigation marker which had obliterated the Starboard bow section. They were lucky to get home with the damage just above the water level. Done in stages, we started with the structural repairs, getting the shape back together. This entailed making a temporary mould to re-laminate the hull skin. This was laminated using vinylester resin and multiple layers of chopped strand and stitched glass cloth. The damage was extensive requiring a new main bulkhead, bulwarks, coaming and deck sections rebuilt. The bowsprit was also repaired and re-installed. The owner only wanted the repairs completed to primer stage so he could undertake the painting himself through a friend.

Just prior to Christmas last year the owner contacted us to continue the work now that the painting was done. The new job list was considerable, which included fitting new gunnel rubber, a new custom full height windscreen, re-carpeting the forepeak, re-fitting the deck fittings, mounting the hardtop frame, repairing a recent crack in the new metallic paint on the hull, new cushions in the V-berth  and wheelhouse, custom side panels, roll-up clears to enclose wheelhouse and a new VHF antenna.

The largest job by far was the custom windscreen which was full height between the cabin and the hardtop. This was done using a composite/epoxy frame with acrylic windscreen panels. The pillars and framework were colour matched to the hull in metallic grey. The aft pillars were designed to route wiring and other services from the hardtop down to the cabin. It was decided to install a couple of opening portlights in the front windscreen panels for ventilation as now the wheelhouse was enclosed. The windscreen panels were mounted in place with the Fixtech fastener-less system and glazing tape. With all this work completed the transformation to this Blackfin is quite remarkable!