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rwiederrich

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Everything posted by rwiederrich

  1. rwiederrich
    Thanks Popey. I decided to work each mast first..then step it. First time for me as well. but it seams to be working out for me. Here are some new images...I finished up the top sheet purchases and the upper topmast downhauls. Rob
  2. rwiederrich
    Riiight...I see them now... In Some pics they are more evident. Rob
  3. rwiederrich
    Hey...Ed.. I noticed you didn't include and downhauls on the upper topsail yard. Is this an oversight or did this feature not appear on the YA...which I believe was typical for all double topsail rigged ships Rob
  4. rwiederrich
    Yeah Pat, there are generally 22~24 buntlines, 4~6 halyards, 2~4 downhauls, 4~8 reef tackle and 10~12 clew lines...and that is just for sail control. Rob(It's all an organized spider web).
  5. rwiederrich
    Thinking this through....I've decided to make both the lower topsail and the main course...but not attach them at this time. My plan is to remove the main yard so as to facilitate the addition of the main shrouds and ratlines. I would have to swing the yard out of the way and if the lower topsail's sheets are fixed...the yard will not move. So its best to just leave them both off for now and follow the assembly steps I have outlined. One problem(and it was brought up in Ed's log), is that of arm fatigue when rigging the top yards(and sails in my instance). If memory serves me, I recall it was an issue with my last clipper. With fatigue comes mistakes and even damage. By following my method I believe I will keep most of the complex rigging down low and near the deck where I can rest my arms/hands on nearby bench work or sturdy fixtures. I will have to identify the location of belaying pins and drill all the holes for them in the weatherdeck rail before I step any masts. Which brings me to that very subject. Since the GR had no bulwarks nearly all of her sail and yard control rigging had to be belayed at the rail after it was purchased by one of six crab winches. I think I might employ 3 of these winches to purchase the main braces. A process not typically modeled on the average clipper. Thank you for the fine compliment and encouragement.. and thank you everyone for your likes. Rob
  6. rwiederrich
    I finished up the buntlines....later I'll address the upper topsails downhauls that afix to the yard band eye bolts. Some fine adjustments till I begin making the lower topsail. I think it is coming along nicely. Rob(thanks for all the likes)
  7. rwiederrich
    There are lots of lines and I'm not half finished.....
  8. rwiederrich
    Magnificent Ed...just wonderful work. I too have been tackling the small extremely numerous lines of the upper most yards on my GR build. Your work inspires. Rob
  9. rwiederrich
    A few more. I still have the buntlines to finish installing and their blocks and tighten up the reef tackle. Rob
  10. rwiederrich
    Some of the sail mounted and being bent...
  11. rwiederrich
    Next I spent some time making the upper topsail. Cutting, banding and painting...and adding the reef points.
  12. rwiederrich
    Thank you Ron..very much...I'll look into it. Spent some time working on the GR made and installed the upper topsail..but first I had to finish the topgallant sheet downhauls.....here are a few images.
  13. rwiederrich
    This is the kind of information I'm talking about. Hints, techniques, and processes. I will get my hands on one...thanks. Rob
  14. rwiederrich
    Thanks everyone....over the years I've developed my technique...but it is always nice to couple that base knowledge with what others have created for themselves. I am always trying to improve or at least incorporate new techniques into my own. No one is an island...and this subject is evidence to that meme. Rob
  15. rwiederrich
    No...I'm saying she would not have set stuns'ls for the passage. She possessed 100 able seamen and 30 boys. Her massive yards and sails are why she had double winches for each mast and her patent steam engine to do all the heavy lifting. I can't imagine the weight of those massive yards and the sails that draped from them...and when they got wet....Ohhh boy. She must have been a sight. Rob
  16. rwiederrich
    Thank you very much Ron....your sails are impressive. The only real issue I am working out is the geometry of the clew and the sheet in relations to the lower sheave. The actual force of the wind full sail would cause the sheet and the angle of the clew to aim directly at the sheet sheave/block. With heavy pre-formed sails this angle is compromised. I am working on a solution. I would like to get the newsletter. Your technique's are worth knowing. Rob
  17. rwiederrich
    See...now that is the technique sensitive issue I was talking about....thanks. I've worked with Silkspan when building RC airplanes. My experience with it in THIS application always leaves the sail with micro wrinkles. Something I just wanted to avoid. Maybe I just suck at using Silkspan. Rob
  18. rwiederrich
    No problem Tim....I have used tracing paper as well...especially for furled sails. Your example is extremely nice and you achieved the very look I did. Swell. One reason I chose NOT to use opaque tracing paper on the Great Republic is her sails would have been more of the heavier foul weather canvas, due to the more Southerly trade routes she was designed to travel, requiring more substantial canvas. Therefore I avoided the opacity of a fair weather set of sails. The main reason I did not use Silkspan. Your examples are wonderful. You chose to lighten your panel seams.. where I chose to darken them. Looks like a topsail schooner. Your sails look wonderful! Thanks for posting.
  19. rwiederrich
    I'll be making some changes to the topsails...but I think I'm getting there. Rob
  20. rwiederrich
    Here are some pics of the partially finished topgallant . Rob
  21. rwiederrich
    I know... what a lame duck. I have 4 clippers in various stages...the Glory of the Seas is probably the farthest along....but GR is surpassing her quickly. Probably because I took up a different methodology of mast construction with the GR....and since she is on the bench currently....I'll finish her up first. I'll have too.... because I have no other place to put her until I build her own special shelf...and she can't have my work bench and she surely can't sit in front of my clipper painting over the den mantle. So....I'm forced to finish her first...... Stay tuned....I'll be at her soon. Rob
  22. rwiederrich
    Or for those stuck in the doldrums....heehee. China tea clippers(British) were famous for rigging these fine weather sails nearly everywhere on their clippers....solidifying their characteristic billows on the annals of history. Unfortunately for those who had anticipated them on my Great Republic build, I will not be including them. Sorry to all stun sail enthusiasts. Here is a picture to wet your whistles.
  23. rwiederrich
    Thanks... not quite sure were that log is....do you have a link?
  24. rwiederrich
    I'm looking for others input on the subject. Do you have a technique or method you use to create paper sails. Any tips..ie...painting...detailing....rigging...weathering...? I am forever desiring to increase my technique base. I know there are some good ideas out there.......share-em. Rob
  25. rwiederrich
    Read my remarks to Dawmer....Stun sails were not employed on the Great Republic...McKay designed her as an experiment. Her vast array of canvas was considered sufficient, especially, when her designed trade route was for a fast passing around the Horn and to Australia. In latitudes far too treacherous for stun sails. I believe Palmer added them later, but that is when her redesign brought her back to a more traditional carrier. The Great Republic was a one of a kind vessel. Extreme clipper(for speed), Ginormous(Over twice as large as any other clipper)...built like a tank to withstand the most extreme weather conditions...carried the most advanced winches and the first to carry a steam engine for lifting yards/sail and cargo. She was designed to take on the Cape and all the fury the weather at those latitudes could throw at you. Stun sails were for whooses. Rob

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