Velvet Glove - June 08

Now the end is in sight and all the work on Velvet Glove is about the finishing touches and details that will make her an exceptionally special boat.

The final coats of classic yacht white paint have been applied to the hull and polished to a mirror-like finish, and classic gold cavetta line will be added this week. The non-skid textures have been applied to the decks and walkways, the chrome coated hand rails and safety wires have been re-fitted, and the chrome doraders are in place The sea-cocks, anodes and external fittings for exhaust and fume outlets have been secured and polished.

The Glove has been re-fitted with her bronze props that have been balanced and polished and the spurs rope-cutters have been serviced and re-aligned. The rudders have been stripped, cleaned, primed and anti-fouled and the rudder glands have been re-packed. On the transom, the trim tabs have been serviced and repainted and new hydraulic rams fitted.

Inside the boat the glazing is complete and she's had the final coats of interior paint. The final wiring looms for the entertainment system have been run through the roof and floor cavities and the main cabin's most James Bond touch – the flat screen TV that rises up from its hiding place - has been fitted and test driven. The dock for an mp3 player, the DVD recorder, speakers and surround sound system are also now in place and the new galley fittings are going in too.

Another special touch is up on the fly-bridge where the Osmotech team have customised the teak table. It's now mounted on an electric chrome riser, so after the drinks have been cleared away, it drops down to fit the edge of seating area and converts seamlessly into a double bed – either for stretched-out sunbathing or a night under the stars.

The mast has been re-stepped now that the boat is out of the shed and the team have been fitting the nav-lights, GPS receivers, wind transducers and horns. The Alden's mast is not only a stability sail but also acts as a crane for the tender – a crisp white Avon 280 rib with a double saddle centre console and a10hp Yamaha outboard with electric start.

A lot of the main systems, such as heating, air conditioning, sanitation, thrusters and the engines need sea-water to run and cool, so they will be tested and checked during a rigorous trial, both at sea and on the dock. Many of the final fittings, like the carpets, curtains, upholstery and cushions will not go in until the boat is in the water so that they don't get damaged and dirty during the testing phase.

Then all of the systems have passed the tests; when the soft furnishings are in and the cushions plumped, the keys to the Velvet Glove will be handed to her owner and one of our most complicated and wide ranging re-fits will be complete.