PBO Project Boat – the list gets shorter!

Laura Hodgetts

A budget boat restoration of a Snapdragon 23 called Hantu Biru

PBO Project Boat - jobs list gets shorter
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It has been almost two years since two seafaring staff from Practical Boat Owner magazine took on the challenge of showing readers how to do up a boat from scratch.

Editor David Pugh and Deputy Editor Ben Meakins bought Hantu Biru, a Snapdragon 23, for £510 on eBay.

David said: ‘We knew the restoration would be a big job; she was covered in moss and slime and there were nettles growing from the cockpit floor, but still,
she was more or less watertight and we thought we might finish quite quickly.

‘That was back in August 2011…’

Now Hantu Biru’s restoration is nearing completion.

The boat was stripped back to a bare shell before the hull and deck were repaired and coated, fittings and accessories restored and refitted.

Ben said: ‘We’ve been out there in all weather conditions trying to get Hantu Biru seaworthy in time for the Beaulieu Boatjumble.

‘We quickly found out that everything takes 10 times longer than you expect but we hope to get her in the water in late Spring.

‘It will be nice to try sailing her at last rather than sanding and painting, and to see how many new jobs the launch throws up!’