The Not-so-Glamorous Work of a Boat Refit: Fairing, Filling, and Fixing Leaks

This is the reality of a professional-level refit: the long, meticulous, and often messy work that happens before the paint goes on. There's no glory in fairing, but it's what separates a quality finish from a amateur one. In this Paikea refit update, we're deep in the "unsexy" phase: prepping the entire port-side interior for paint. This means endless sanding, filling old penetrations, and—as always—uncovering and fixing unexpected problems, like a major leak in a cockpit locker. Join us as we tackle the essential but unseen work that transforms a structural shell into a finished, seaworthy interior. CHAPTERS: 00:00 The "Unsexy" Reality of Boat Refits 00:45 Touring the Port Hull Progress 02:15 Installing Flush Hatches & 3D-Printed Drains 04:10 The Systematic Sanding & Fairing Process 06:30 Widening Doorways & Composite Edge Capping 08:15 The Weight Reduction Spreadsheet: 650kg Lighter 09:50 Discovering a Hidden Hole & Rotten Core 12:40 The "Easy" Solution vs. The "Hard" Solution 14:25 Laminating the Repair 15:00 The Final Push for Paint Prep SAFETY DISCLAIMER: PROFESSIONAL WORK This video documents professional marine work with significant risk of injury or vessel damage. This is NOT DIY instruction. You are solely responsible for your own safety and actions. We are not liable for any application of this information. Full Disclaimer: https://youngbarnacles.com/website-disclaimer/ USEFUL LINKS ➜ Supporting blog post https://youngbarnacles.com/unglamorous-boatwork-fairing-fixing-leaks/ ➜ Want to go deeper? Access our detailed composites videos, project files, and community on the Youngbarnacles Members Hub: https://youngbarnacles.com/plans/all-access-memberships/ ➜ Need world-class engineering for your project? Learn more about our professional design and consultancy services at SYAS Performance: https://syasperformance.weebly.com/ ➜ Free Sailing Library: Check out our free guides on composites, systems, and seamanship: https://www.youngbarnacles.com/resources MUSIC YouTube Audio Library ➜ https://www.youtube.com/