Dorade Yawl by Omega1234 - SMALL Finished

[Omega1234]

Hi everyone. Ever since I first read about the famous Sparkman and Stevens' designed yawl (built over 80 yrs ago snd she's still racing), I've wanted to build a model of her. So, after thirty years of dreaming, I've now started to build a scratch built, miniature, fully detailed model, complete with interior accommodation, etc. The model is a true miniature, ie only 15 cms approx in hull length.

 

As you can see, I have tried to adhere to full sized construction practices by using a built up keel and bent frames. All the wood was cut using my miniature table saw, which, is a lot of fun and satisfying, not to mention, cost effective.

 

I still have a long way to go before I finish the masts, winches, blocks and rigging, but it's been a hell of a lotta fun so far.

 

I hope you enjoy the model and photos. I will post more pics as work progresses.

 

Comments, feedback and suggestions are most welcomed!

[Auvergne]

Beautiful! Such a gift you have. I have always desired to design and build my own yacht, and I have some who are my favorites by John Alden, S&S as yourself, many others...

 

I did not realize how miniature you were building till I saw her in your hand. Superb craftsmanship and patience. I wish I could grasp drawing the lines a little better than I do but you have delighted me with great tips.

 

Please keep posting as I enjoy your work!

 

Thanks.

 

John E.

[druxey]

Yup, that is small all right. Nice detail for the size, Omega. What is the scale, please?

[Jim Lad]

Ha!  Druxey beat me to it with his question on scale.

 

She looks really beautiful!

 

John

[Omega1234]

Hi all. Thanks for your comments. I didn't work to an exact scale for this model. Instead, i simply based them on plans which were feeely available on the net and simply reduced to a miniature size that I felt comfortable building at.

 

The full sized boat is 52 ft LOA and my model is only 7.5 inches from stem to transom. I have no idea what scale that actually works out, but I bet it'd be pretty wierd!

 

Does anyone have any idea how to easily build blocks at such a small size, ie approximately .75mm in length? I have my own methods, but I'm always open to ideas.

 

Any thoughts?

[pete48]

One word "unbelivable" I think I would go blind trying to see that small. I am going to agree with John E. it is a Gift you have. S&S Has a great reputation of elegance and speed. How many cup defenders did they pen I can't remember. anyway Beautiful boat I can't wait to see it completed

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[SailorGreg]

I reckon the scale is 1:83.2 - yes, that's pretty weird!

 

And I have no idea how to make a .75mm block, but I am very impressed that you are even contemplating trying! I watch with interest.

 

And I love your model and the amount of detail you have squeezed in there. Looking forward to the next post.

 

Greg

[michael mott]

Most impressive Omega, I trust you are familiar with the work of Donald McNarry.

 

 

Michael

[captainbob]

Beautiful work.  Will you leave the deck removable to show the interior?

 

Bob

[TBlack]

Patrick,

I'll certainly join the chorus; beautiful work! Could you share with us how you made the winches? There are quite a few of them, all beautifully turned out.

 

Tom

[Kenneth Powell]

Nice use of a miniature building jig.

 

Thanks - Kenneth

[yvesvidal]

Oh my God. This is a dream come true: Dorade is one of my favorite boat!!!

Beautiful work and thank you for offering us such jewel of precision and beauty.

Apparently, your boat is at the scale of 1/96 (or 1/100).

Olin S. would be very proud of you.

 

Yves

Edited October 21, 2013 by yvesvidal

[pete48]

Hi Patrick, I was skimming thru one of my old sailing books and found this photo

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[Omega1234]

Hi everyone. Many thanks for the great feedback and for the photo above. If you're not aware, the Dorade website is also a great refrence for the ship, with many detailed photos of the ship - http://dorade.org.

 

As for the deck, well, it has been glued permanently on. The reason being that there is a considerable amount of the hull that has been cut away to expose the interior, as well as being viewable through the open deck, that, I thought that would suffice. Well, I hope that's the case, anyway.

 

Thanks for the comment about the winches. There was no easy way for me to do them, so I did them by hand. Twirling them in my finger with a file. Slow, but brass is pretty soft and once you get into a rhythm, it's pretty easy.

 

I am also definitely an admirer of Donald McNarry! I can only dream of reaching his standard of workmanship. Phil Reed and Llyod Mc Caffrey are also people I admire.

 

I'll definitely post more photos as the build progresses!

[Omega1234]

Hi everyone

 

It's been a while since I last posted some progress photos, but, here are some of the latest photos of the rigging. I try to take better photos later, but, at least they give you an idea of where things are at.

 

Hope you all enjoy them, but there's still more work to go.

 

Cheers!

[captainbob]

I forgot how small this boat is until I went back up and saw you holding it in your hand. 

Well done. She’s a fine boat

 

Bob

[druxey]

Beautifully done at such a small scale!

[JesseLee]

I am always amazed at these small builds. I started out years ago with small builds but mine were always solid hull to make it easy. Great detail for such small work!

[Omega1234]

Hi all. Many thanks for your likes and words of encouragement! They're all greatly appreciated.

 

I've done a little bit more work on my Dorade, particularly to the rigging. It may not be as accurate as it could be on a larger model, but, at this tiny scale, some allowances must be made. Well, that's my excuse anyway! The rigging still needs cleaning up, but i'll attend to that next.

 

Anyhow, i hope you enjoy the photos.

 

Cheers

[Omega1234]

Hi everyone

 

Almost nearing the end of the scratch build of this miniature Dorade. I've added some more rigging, lifelines and a lifreaft (which still needs some cleaning up and final detail work) and also black hull fenders.

 

Hope you enjoy the photos!

 

Cheers

[michael mott]

I am simply amazed at how much detail you have achieved with such a small model.

It is beautifully executed.

 

Michael

[Omega1234]

Thanks, Michael and all the others for your comments and Likes. All greatly appreciated!

[Omega1234]

Hi everyone

 

Almost finished. I've added the life guard rings (I can't think of their proper name!) onto the mizzen mast's rigging, a radar dome on the mizzen mast ( as per the real ship), navigation lights and a completed liferaft.

 

I've also inluded some interior shots, just for the sake of it!

 

All that's left to be done is to do the display stand, put coils of rigging on the winch drums and perform a general clean up.

 

Hope you all enjoy the photos!

[captainbob]

Congratulations, she’s a beauty.  You should be proud of her.

 

Bob

[Senior ole salt]

Fantastic!! beautiful, very  well done. Are you gonna do at least one crew? The model railroad guys have a variety of scales. I'm sure you can get one doing something appropriate on a sailing vessel.

 

S.os

[Omega1234]

Thanks Bob and Snr Ole Salt. Much appreciated! I hadn't thought about adding some figures, but that definitely gives me some food for thought. Mmmm....

[russkramer]

Great model Omega! Just finished a painting of Dorade which is on Exhibition at Mystic Seaport. You can see it here: http://www.russkramer.com/ Referenced a great book on her: "Dorade:History of an Ocean Racing Yacht" now out of print. Best of luck, Russ

[Omega1234]

Hi Russkramer

 

That is one amazing painting you've done, as are all the other paintings on your website! It's one thing to draw, but it's totally another thing to create a painting with such charm and realism, as you've been able to do. A great talent!

 

Thanks also for your comments.

 

All the very best.

 

Cheers

[pete48]

Fantastic amazing the detail on sutch a small scale Hat's off

 

Best Regards,

pete

[Omega1234]

Hi Pete48

 

Many thanks for your compliments. She was a very enjoyable ship to build; that's for sure.

 

All the best!