The hull was built in Riga, Latvia from April 1998 through April 1999. The interior was done in Tallinn, Estonia from May 1999 through April 2000. (This is twice as long as boat of this size normally takes to build and finish.
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| The unfinished and uninsulated interior shows the complexity of the lines | The bowsprit is constructed of heavy pipe and angle iron as well having a vertical web that connects it to the bow. None-the-less, we put on the galvanized bobstay, but more as a bumper when warping around tight dockspaces, than structural. | The davits are so strong, you could pick up the entire boat by them. They are used for the mizzen backstays as well hanging the dinghy while cruising. |
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| Since Mother of Perl was to motor under her own power from Riga (where the hull was constructed) to Tallinn for the interior, it was important that the engine be installed early. | The framed cockpit seat is one of the more complex pieces of work because of the many levels and angles | The completed cockpit: By February 1999, the hull was complete and the second coat of primer paint covered everyting. |
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| The pilothouse gives the foredeck a sense of a large cruise ship | Looking towards the stern, February 1999 in Riga | Looking towards the bow |
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| Painted her original color of green and white, she was delivered to Tallinn for her interior work and fitting out. This was the view from the light tower at the customs dock. | She has not yet come through customs. But at least Ben was allowed to go her to review the work done in Riga. (Port Side) | Starboard side |
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| The cockpit. Notice the curved steel gallows. We eventually removed this. It was too high. We found we couldn't lower it. Its removal improved the look considerablly.. | After getting through customs we moved her over to the working dock. Notice the ruins of the Pirita Monastary in the background. | Bow view |
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| There many pleasant surprises. This sophisticated oil and water bearing injected "dripless packing box." | The interior was nothing but insulation over the steel. | This is what it was like inside, before Boris and his crew began work. |
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| Just the insulation | Boris Jackovlev was the chief of construction for the interior and all the electrical and mechanical systems. Here he is going over the drawings with an apprentice, planning out his work for the day | Made in Estonia and proud of it |
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| Boris at work | Clamping the horizontal frames to the hull | Cutting and fitting each panel precisly can take hours |
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| The framing of the bulkheads | Otto, a very thorough ship's finish carpenter had his own apprentice to help with the large work. | The foredeck of Mother of Perl with the Olympic Center (Olimpiakeskus) in the background. |
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| One of the two forward cabins befor the cabinetwork was begun | The pilot's berth (Ben's bed) is built on top of one of the 500 liter fuel tanks | The pilothouse steering station was first built in steel in Riga, but we later replaced it with plywood, stainless steel, and teak. |
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| This gives you an idea of the wide view from inside the pilothouse | Usually the stepping of the masts is the final part of construction, but the two forward cabins still needed to be finished when we took boat to Sweden for its rigging |