The shipbuilding challenge of reconstructing the sailing ship Galeb

The shipbuilding challenge of reconstructing the sailing ship Galeb
Antecedent to the Slovenian Maritime Day, 6 March 2024, master shipbuilders Odilo Simonit and Federico Lenardon, who in conjunction with Paolo Skabar and Mario Mallardi (also a superb cellist) reconstructed in the Alto Adriatico Custom Shipyard in Monfalcone the museum sailship Galeb, a donation of the famous choreographic and ballet couple Pie and Pina Mlakar to the Piran Maritime Museum, presented the details of the highly challenging reconstruction in the Monfort Info Center that enabled the Galeb to sail safely once more.

The results of the 3D scanning project of the sailship and Lorenzo Fonda's drawings documenting the work carried out in the shipyard were also presented. The presentation of the reconstruction process of the Galeb is an integral part of the "Sail Driven Museum" project, which on the 70th anniversary of the Maritime Museum promotes and popularizes the cultural and technical heritage of the Galeb as well as the legacy of Pia and Pina Mlakar.

The reconstruction of the Galeb, the hull of which had been covered with a layer of mahogany after a well-considered decision, was implemented through multiple phases: the old coats were removed, the gaps between the strakes were cleaned and the slats glued into them. Mahogany was pasted in two layers, while solid wood pieces were glued at the terminals. Damaged and worn-out edge laths on the deck were replaced with similar ones made of solid mahogany wood. The internal deck elements of the cabin as well as the keel, its attachment to the hull, and the rudder were repaired. The hull was impregnated, plastered and polished, and finally coated with paint and uncoloured varnish. The mast fittings, which just like the boom had been made entirely of solid spruce wood, were left in their original form, while the "landas" (lifting straps of the mast extensions) were restored.

The 3D shape of the sailboat for the virtual model was made by "scanning" the hull with a laser and by taking precise internal and external measurements. The virtual model enables us to visit the sailboat from the museum without getting on the boat’s board.

For more information see: https://galeb.info/