The Mandalay Rises

Let's start with the good news! (Briefly)

After 45 long years, the Mandalay stands taller and prouder in the water. For the first time in decades, she's lifting her head high — finally free from the weight that's held her down…

MORE AND MORE CONCRETE

Yep, we're still pulling out astonishing amounts of concrete, a legacy from the 1980 retrofit that converted her from a research vessel to a cruise ship. Perhaps it was budget constraints, tight timelines, or simply a surplus of cheap materials — but now, we know this: the concrete was a costly mistake which made the ship…

• Sluggish and harder to steer

• Cumbersome under sail

• Fuel-hungry and inefficient

• More expensive to operate due to higher fuel costs

• Too low in the water

To top all that off, in recent weeks, we uncovered another layer of misjudgement — literally.

During her so-called "restoration" in Guayaquil, Ecuador over 12 years ago, new teak flooring was laid directly atop the original Windjammer Barefoot Cruises teak. Instead of removing the damaged 1980's era flooring, it was simply covered up.

The result? Heavier decks, warping, and a legacy of sloppy craftsmanship. It's the kind of short-sighted work we're committed to reversing — piece by piece, plank by plank.

Back to good news.

All three of Mandalay's towering 109-foot masts have come down. It was a dramatic operation, made possible by a heavy-duty crane — and just in time.

The mizzenmast (rear mast) had been quietly collecting rainwater for who knows how long. Its protective steel cap had rusted away, turning it into a vertical water tank. When we lowered it, the top deck was doused in a SURPRISE FLOOD. A literal ton of water adding more hidden weight to the ship.

The main mast shows signs of serious compromise, and we already knew the foremast had failed under previous ownership. Time to fix or replace all three!

We can only conclude by saying that the Mandalay is doing better every day as we strip away past mistakes. It is an exciting and fulfilling process to witness. Stay tuned for full mast, rigging, and sail updates in the next edition of Restoration Notes.