MORE HANDBOOKS ARE ON THEIR WAY! We will let you know when they get here.
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Mike Dowling
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Another break from boats I think. I have two planes and a tram waiting my attention.
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Well folks, Mary is finished. I was surprised at the complexity of the rigging for a vessel with so few sails and it took me longer than expected. I added the remaining 'bling' and all the flags. I have to say that I am rather pleased with th end result and I hope you like her too.
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I may have missed it but, what scale are your little people ? Having had a look at preisier figures you must have a very healthy bank account !!
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The reefs are actually a bit longer on the other side but, I only followed the destructions !
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My work for today. The sailcloth with the kit must have been very old or just strange! I died it with tea to give a nice golden colour. Marked out all the sails and carefully sealed the edges with white glue then left it to dry. The glue dried - purple ???!!! So, I dug out some sailcloth saved from a previous build, soaked it in coffee this time - preferred the colour. Marked out all the sails - again - sealed the edges with white glue and left it to dry. Wonderful !! I have sewn rope all around the edges and made the necessary loops. Next stage of course is to fit them. The pictures are of course from the second attempt!
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You can't see it because it is not there ! I had to redo it.
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The standing rigging is done. How come is it that when trimming the threads I always manage to cut one I shouldn't. It doesn't seem to matter how careful I am I always manage it ! Next step - making sails.
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Both sets of ratlines complete. The bowsprit is on after quite a struggle. The binding or whatever it is called from it to the keel was murder. It kept trying to slide down and wouldn't stay where I wanted it. A bit of glue go me there in the end.
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I decided on gold thread to match the rest of the 'bling' ! One side done. I had forgotten just how tedious rat lines are. Also I have had to them very loose as the shrouds are not nearly as tight as I would have liked. Probably my fault for undoing the deadeyes so many times.
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I will use a pale thread then - I don't like white as it just gets dirty.
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Popeye, you didn't pick a colour for the rats !!
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Well all I can say Popeye is that despite the fuzziness of the photo, you had better be pretty impressed or I just won't like you anymore !!!
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OK I lied !! Colour changed so please can I tie them off now ? What colour should I do the lovely ratlines that I am so looking forward to doing ?
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It's Mike Carl but I forgive you. I am not undoing them all again !
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Thanks very much for that Carl. (propeller?) Re done one side. Is that better guys ?
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Thanks Brian and Popeye. Can I be bothered to re thread the wrong ones ? I'll think on it. So, what are the leeboards actually for ?
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Before I tie them off, do these look about right ?
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Next Question. I seem to remember that there is a fairly specific distance that should be maintained between the upper and lower deadeyes. Can anyone help me with that ?
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Thanks Popeye. I must be getting senile!! Only 4 lines each side so I reckon even I can work the rest out. Really glad you like her so far, I have made all the masts, yards etc so it's time to start the dreaded string !!!!
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Help!!! It s so long since I have done any I have completely forgotten how to put shrouds on. Is it from one deadeye up to the and round the mast and back to the next deadeye on the same side or, is it from one deadeye, round the mast to the deadeye on the opposite side ?
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The rudder is on and painted, the strange 'drift' things are done and on, the anchors are on, steps, cleats and cannon are on. The next stage - not my favourite - is to make all the yards, masts, spars etc.
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No I don't have to paint it. It is all gold although it doesn't show up very well on the pictures. It is snowing again now actually and we are surviving but I haven't seen this much snow here since we arrived 11 years ago !! It is at least two feet deep and that on the un-drifted part. Some of it is a good deal deeper. Even the snow plough got stuck today !!!
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The progress so far. I have spent the last couple of days trying to avoid the 2ft of snow and getting on with making the fiddly bits of 'deck furniture'. I have also added more bling although there is yet more to come at the stern. I don't want to put it on yet for fear of knocking it off again. I am currently working on the rudder and the strange bits at the sides which a lot of Dutch boats have. I think they are called 'drifts' but I don't know what they are for ? Anyway - a few pictures so that you know I am still alive!
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