abelson

Excellent craftsmanship.

Decided it’s time to add the spanker boom. The spanker boom has topping lifts P&S that are lashed to the boom. The plan calls for the lifts to be .020” rope. I used the kit supplied .021” rope. Though the lifts are running rigging and should therefore be tan or brown rope, I used a combination of black rope and tan rope based on a photo of the replica ship (see attached). I lashed the topping lifts to the boom off ship. The topping lifts are set up with 5/32” double blocks and a .012” tackle. The lower block is hooked to an eyebolt in the waterway. This block is best added early on in the build, as I did. However, I didn’t pay close enough attention to the plans and added a single block. Consequently, I had to remove and replace them with double blocks – ugh, not an easy task. The topping lifts tackle is belayed to pin 68 P&S. Next, I rigged the boom sheets followed by the boom guy & tiller tackles. I had previously added the boom sheets 5/32” double block to the spanker boom and the 5/32” double transom block to the horse, so this was an easy task, The boom sheet passes through a thimble in the stern (previously added) and is belayed to the port side aft bits. Note: I left the sheet loose until the topping lifts are rigged. The boom guy & tiller tackles are shown in Detailed 5-L on Sheet 5. The 1/8” double blocks with hook are attached to a thimble on the spanker boom. I used eyebolts for the thimbles. The tackle is belayed to cleat 79 P&S on the bulwark. Lastly, I rigged the spanker sail brails P&S. The brails are seized to 5/32” single blocks on the main mast and are reeved through 5/32” single clump block lashed to the end of the clew outhaul as shown on Sheet 5. When the spanker sail is furled, the clew outhaul is pulled up to the mast blocks as illustrated in Figure 9-8 in the Instruction Manual. The brails are belayed to pin 52 on the aft fife rail. The clew outhaul is belayed to the boom cleat.

Fantastic work on the sails and the ship as well.

Just a short progress update. Completed the fore course yard sheets, tacks and clew lines. These lines are rigged together in a block assembly that hangs from the course yard. I created the block assembly mimicking Chuck Passaro's Instruction Manual for the US Brig Syren (see photos). The assembly is made up of 5/32” single blocks. I varied from Chuck's instructions and made the blocks all the same size. The toggle is made from a toothpick that was sanded down using a sanding stick and a Dremel. The size is a matter of preference or scale, but Chuck says it should be "very small." The two stropped blocks are slipped over the toggle rope before the block is stropped to the toggle line. The block assemblies are somewhat of a focal point, so, after assembly, I applied a coat of Minwax Golden Oak stain to the blocks. The standing end of clew line is seized around the yard rather than above the clew block on the yard as shown and noted on Sheet 6. Note: I used .021" kit rope rather than .020" called for on the plans, which is not furnished. I debated whether to purchase .021” rope from Syren and decided that there isn’t much difference between the kit supplied rigging and Syren rigging so as to be noticeable - at least to the novice eye. The loose end of the clew line is reeved through the 5/32” single block attached to the toggle and then up and through the block hanging from the course yard. Pull the loose end until the block assembly is at the desired height below the yard and then secure it in place with CA. Then belay the loose end to cleat 11 P&S on the fore mast. The course sheets (.021") are seized to the eyebolt on the bulwark between gun ports 4&5, pass through the assembly block and then through the bulwark sheave and belayed to cleat 40 P&S. The fore course tacks (.021") are seized to the end of the bumpkin, reeved through the 5/32” block of the assembly and then down through the 1/8" single block seized to the bumpkin and belayed to cleat 6 P&S. There's nothing on my to-do-list beyond this report. I need to study the plans to determine what to logically do next. ,

Some progress to report. First, though, Happy, Healthy New Year. Now, in keeping with the To-Do-List, I completed the Jib Boom Martingale and the Flying Jib Boom Martingale using .025" rope and .018” rope, respectively. The plans call for 027" and .016”. The Jib Boom Martingale is eye spliced at the end of the jib boom and at the dolphin striker as per Fig. 8-9 in the Instruction Manual. The back rope (.018”) is eye spliced at the dolphin striker and is set up with bullseyes and a lanyard (.008") on the starboard and port sides. The Flying Jib Boom Martingale is eye spliced to the flying jib boom, reeved through a hole in dolphin striker, and the end eye spliced to a thimble (5/64” split ring). The back rope (.012") is set up with bullseyes and a lanyard (.008") on the starboard side and eye spliced to an eyebolt on port side. Next, I added the man ropes on the flying jib boom. These are made with .012” rope as noted on the Plan at Bowsprit. The ropes are eye spliced at the end of the Flying Jib Boom and the aft ends are seized to the jib boom guy P&S. I made 10 knots in each rope spaced 5/16" apart. Permanently attached the Boomkins and added the restraining chains as per the replica ship (see photo). The Jib Boom Guys were next followed by the Flying Jib Boom Guys. These are straight forward as shown on the Plan at Bowsprit. I used .018” black rope (plan calls for .016") for the jib boom guys and .012” (plan calls for .014”) for the flying jib boom guys. The guys pass over the cleats on the sprit sail yard and set up with 1/16” bullseyes (not furnished with the kit) and lanyards. I used .008” rope (plan calls for .010”). I rigged the main stay tackle over the main hatch and the fore stay tackle over the forecastle hatch as shown on Sheet 5. Each tackle is made up of a 1/8” single block lashed to the stay and a 1/8” single block with a hook. I fabricated the hook from 28-gauge brass wire and flattened it using a bench vise and a hammer. I used .012" rope for the tackle (plan calls for 016" which is not furnished). The fore stay tackle is hooked to a cleat on the Belfrey and the standing end of the tackle is belayed to the forward fife rail. Sheet 5 calls for the main stay tackle to be hooked to the forward fife rail, but I chose to hook it to the starboard cleat on the aft fife rail and belay it that rail. Added the sprit sail yard braces (.012” tan). I made the 1/8” single block brace pendants earlier in the build. The tricky part of the braces is passing the rope through the aft 1/8” double block beneath the fore top as shown in Detail 5-I. After failed attempts to pass the rope through the block from beneath the top, I found it easier to pass the rope from aft side of the fore top by turning the block around with reverse action tweezers. The ropes are belayed to cleat 13 P&S on the fore mast. Note: Stiffening the end of the rope by applying a little CA makes it easier to pass the rope through the blocks. Next up, the fore clew garnets, sheets and tacks.

Just a short progress update before Christmas. I decided to add the anchor cable while the hawes pipes are more accessible. I used .051” black rope because the cable on the replica ship appears to be black. The Anchorage Detail on Sheet 4 calls for .045”. I think .051” rope is on the smallish side. With that, it’s time to add the belfry (previously made) to the bowsprit and the grating structure and boomkins fashioned back in Post #23 to simulate the replica ship. The boomkins on the replica ship have chains attached to them and the hull to secure it from lifting (see photo in Post #23). I plan to add these later. For now, the boomkins are not yet permanently affixed to the ship. Belayed the outer jib stay downhaul (pin 3S), inner jib stay downhaul (pin 2S), fore stay halliard downhaul (pin 2P) and flying jib stay halliard downhaul (pin 3P). I decided to pass the jib boom topgallant stay and the flying jib stay through a hole in the chock rail rather than over the chock rail as called for on the plans. The plans also call for the topgallant stay and the flying jib stay to be belayed to pin 3 P&S. I opted to belay them to pin 4S and 4P, respectively. Added a bracket (made of 1/64”x1/16” brass strip, blackened) at the end of each boomkin for attachment of the chains and an 1/8" single block for the fore tack. The fore tack will be a topic of conversation at a later date. Next, looking over the plans, I added the main top gallant stay sheets (.012" tan) as shown on Sheet 5. The sheets are belayed to pin 59 P&S. I ran the rope through the fairlead bar. Not sure if that's correct but it seemed like a convenient place for it. Next up, Jib Boom Martingale, Flying Jib Boom Martingale, Jib Boom Guys, and Flying Jib Boom Guys. And perhaps the boomkin chains. Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Just wondering, what became of your build log?

Looking back at my last post, I realized that I need to add the Jib Boom Outhaul. I used .018” tan rope for the tackle (plan calls for .016”). The tackle is lashed to an eyebolt on the port side of the bowsprit cap and is reeved through the dumb sheave at the end of the jib boom and the single block on the starboard side of the bowsprit cap. Sheet 5 does not indicate where the loose end of the rope is belayed. I didn’t find where it’s belayed on the Belaying Plan nor the Instruction Manual. I presume that it passes through one of the fairlead holes in the chock rail and is belayed to one of the pins at the bow pin rail. I made an additional hole in the chock rail for this line. Moving on, I completed the bow sprit shrouds. I used .035” black rope (.031” called out on the plans). The bow sprit shrouds are seized to a sister hook and eyebolt in the hull and set up with 1/8” bull eyes and .012” lanyards. Rigged the Inner Jib Stay and the Outer Jib Stay halliards (.012” tan). The standing ends of the halliards are seized to the stay throat. The halliards are reeved through an 1/8” single block with hook and an 1/8” single block at the cross tree and belayed to pin 36 P&S at the pin rail. Inner Jib Stay Downhaul and Outer Jib Stay Downhaul: I used 008” tan rope (plan calls for .010”). I seized a small split ring to the end of the downhaul. The downhaul is attached to the hook on the halliard block and is reeved through fairlead thimbles on the bolt ropes (not yet rigged), the 3/32” single downhaul block with grommet (seized to the jib boom), and the chock rail. The inner jib stay downhaul and the outer jib stay downhaul are belayed to pin 3S and 2S, respectively, at the bow pin rail. Inner Jib Stay and Outer Jib Stay Sheets: Each is set up with an 1/8" single clump block, .016" tan pendant, and a .012" tan fall. The inner jib stay fall is seized to an eye bolt in the chock rail (P&S). The standing end is belayed to cleat 7 P&S. The outer jib stay fall is seized to the iron rod at the cathead (P&S). The standing end is belayed to cleat 8 P&S. Next, I rigged the bolt ropes (.008” tan) for the Inner and Outer Jib Stay. The bolt rope is looped through the split ring on the downhaul and tied off at the downhaul block grommet. I added 2 thimble fairleads to the bolt rope as depicted on Sheet 5. The thimbles were made with a small split ring (5/64”) and .008” rope. Note: I removed the downhaul and reeved it through the fairlead thimbles. Jib Boom Topgallant Stay and Flying Jib Stay: The topgallant stay is lashed to the topgallant royal mast at the hound and passes through the dumb sheave on the flying jib boom and a hole in the dolphin striker and is set up with a tackle on the starboard side. The tackle consists of a 1/8” single block with a hook, a 9/32” fiddle block (not furnished with the kit), a .008” tan fall belayed over the chock rail to pin 3 at the bow pin rail. The flying jib stay is set up the same as the top gallant stay except that the tackle is on the port side. I used .018” black rope for the topgallant stay and .012” black rope for the flying jib stay. Note: I’ve left the belaying ropes loose in case they need loosening to access other lines or tensioning as rigging progresses. Fore Royal Stay: I used .012” black rope (plan calls for .010”). The Royal Stay passes over the dumb sheave at the end of the flying boom and through the bottom hole of the dolphin striker. After passing through the dolphin striker, the stay is set up with a thimble (ring) and a back rope (.012”). The back rope passes through a hole in the hull on the starboard side and is belayed to a cleat on the bowsprit. The plan and the instruction manual call for the back rope on the port side to be eye spliced to an eyebolt. It isn’t clear on the plans where this eyebolt is located. I didn’t provide for this. Rather, I chose to pass the back rope through the hole in the port side of the hull and belay it to the cleat on the side of the bowsprit. Flying Jib Stay Halliard: The halliard (.008”) is set up with a ring and a downhaul (.008”). The standing end of the rope passes through the block at the royal mast hounds and is belayed to pin 38 on the starboard pin rail. The downhaul passes through the fairlead thimbles on the bolt rope and the downhaul block with grommet at the end of the jib boom and is belayed pin 3 on the port side of the bow pin rail. The flying jib bolt rope passes through the ring of the halliard and is tied off at the downhaul block grommet. Flying Jib Sheets: The sheets (.008”) pass through a ring on the bolt rope, through the fairlead grommet (P&S) and are belayed to cleat 9. Before rigging the sheets, I fashioned the fairlead grommets and seized them to the bow sprit shroud lanyard as shown and noted on Sheet 5. Note: Though the ship doesn’t have sails, I have chosen to add the sail bolt ropes and sheets as if the sails were furled. I don’t believe that they clutter the model. Rather, they add more detail. I don’t want to make this post overly long, so I’ll end progress here. One final comment though, as matter of note, in terms of the sequence of rigging, the Instruction Manual says rig the fore stays beginning with the fore lower stays and working aft and upward. I rigged the fore stays and the bowsprit in the following sequence: Forestay, Fore Preventer Stay, Fore Stay Halliard, Fore Stay Sail Downhaul and Sheets, Bob Stays, Outer Jib Stay, Bowsprit Shrouds, Jib Boom Outhaul Tackle, Inner Jib Stay, Outer Jib Stay, Inner Jib Stay Halliard, Inner Jib Stay Sheets, Inner Jib Stay Downhaul, Outer Jib Stay Halliard, Outer Jib Stay Sheets, Outer Jib Stay Downhaul, Jib Boom Outhaul, Topgallant Stay, Flying Jib Stay, Flying Jib Say Halliard, Royal Stay, Royal Stay Downhaul, and Flying Jib Sheets. Next up, Jib Boom Martingale, Flying Jib Boom Martingale, Jib Boom Guys, and Flying Jib Boom Guys. Some additional progress photos follow.

Continuing with build, I rigged the Top Mast Stay Sail sheets (.012”). The sheets have a 1/8" single clump block with a .012” pendant (.016” called out on Sheet 5). The fall is .012” rope (.014” on plan). One end is seized to the main top mast shroud and the other end is reeved through a 1/8” single block seized to the same shroud as depicted on Sheet 5. I set up sheets based on my interpretation of how they might appear with the top mast staysail furled. The falls are belayed to pin 56 P&S on the pin rail. Next, I rigged the Fore Royal backstays. I used .012” black rope. The plan calls for .010” which is not furnished. Fashioned a simple eye that slipped over the royal mast and seized a 3/32” single block to the end of the rope. Per the plans. The tackle was made with .008” rope. The tackle fall is belayed to cleat 39 P&S. I like to belay the lines temporarily in case they need adjustment. It’s now time to add the bowsprit that was fashioned early on in the build (January 23, 2023 post) Note: The bowsprit has a cleat P&S for belaying the royal stay back rope fall. The cleats have to be removed so that the bowsprit can pass through the bulwarks and added after. I used the kit suppled cleats and painted them black. I used .018” rope for the gammoning. The plan calls for .020” which is not furnished. Completed the Fore Stay and Fore Preventer Stay. I used .045" Syren line for the Fore Stay and .035" Syren line for the Fore Preventer Stay. The Fore Stay and the Fore Preventer Stay each have a 7mm Syren closed heart and lanyard (.018”) attached to a laser cut open heart with a double collar (previously installed) lashed around the Bowsprit. Note: The plans do not call out the size of the closed hearts for the Stays. The laser cut closed hearts scale roughly 3/16” (4.8mm). I used 7mm instead of 5mm closed hearts because I thought 5mm closed hearts looked out of scale with the open hearts. I reeved the lanyard through the hearts and tied it off on the upper lashing of the heart. Note: In the following photos, the Spritsail Yard Lifts were previously added. per the Plan At Bowsprit on Sheet 5. The falls pass through the fearlead holes in the chock rail and are belayed to pin 1 P&S at the bow pin rail. Looking at the Plan At Bowsprit, I'm reminded that I need to add the Jib Boom Outhaul Tackle to my To-Do List. I Progressing, I rigged the Fore Stay Halliard (.012”). Seized a 1/8” single block to the fore stay throat. Tied the standing end of the halliard to the stay throat. The halliard is reeved through an 1/8” single block with hook and the 1/8” block seized to the stay throat and is belayed to pin 14 at the forward fife rail. Rigged the fore staysail bolt rope and downhaul. The downhaul (.008”) is seized to a ring that is attached to the single block hook and is reeved through a thimble on the bolt rope and the 1/8” downhaul block and grommet on the bowsprit as shown on Sheet 5. The downhaul passes through a fairlead hole in the chock rail and is belayed to pin 2 at the bow pin rail (not added yet). The bolt rope (.008”) is a continuous rope that is reeved trough the downhaul ring and tied off at the grommet. Note: I wasn’t sure what to do with the bolt rope ends so I just tied them off. Rigged the fore stay sail sheets. The sheets have a 1/8” single clump block, .018” pendent, and .012” downhaul seized to an eyebolt in the waterway and belayed to cleat 10 P&S. Like the top mast stay sail sheets, correct or not, I set up the sheets based on my interpretation of how the sheets might appear with the fore staysail furled. Next, I rigged the two Bobstays followed by the Outer Jib Stay. I used .035” Syren rope for the bobstays (plan calls for .031”). The stays are double lines and are set up with 1/8” hearts and .018” Syren rope lanyard (plan calls for .016”). I used 7mm hearts purchased from Syren Ship Company. The outer jib stay is .018” rope (plan calls for .020”). The outer jib stay passes through the dumb sheave in the jib boom and is set up with a 1/8” double block with hook, a 9/32” fiddle block (purchased from Syren) and .012” fall that is belayed to itself. The double block is hooked to an eyebolt on the port side of the bowsprit cap. Last, I rigged the Inner Jib Stay and the Fore Top Mast Stay. I used .025” rope for the inner jib stay and .025” rope for the top mast stay. The inner jib stay passes through the bowsprit bees on the port side and is set up with bulls eyes and a .008” lanyard. The fore top mast stay passes through the bowsprit bees on the starboard side and is set up same as the inner jib stay. Up next on the To-Do List, the Bowsprit Shrouds and the Inner and Outer and Inner Jib Stay halliards, downhauls, and sheets.

Congratulations. Nicely done.

Before stepping the main royal yard, I decided to add the main topgallant stay. I used .018” rope and fashioned a simple eye that slipped over the royal mast. The plan calls for .020” rope which is not furnished with the kit. The stay reeves through the collar with thimble on the fore top mast and is set up with a fiddle block (not furnished) and tackle as per Detail 5-D on Sheet 5. The tackle fall is belayed to itself. I used a 11/32” fiddle block and .012” rope for the fall, each purchased from Syren Ship Model Company. I added the 1/8” single block (plan calls for 3/32”) and grommet for the topgallant stay sail down haul. Sheet 5 is not clear where/how the block and grommet is attached. I chose to attach it to the collar thimble. Rigged the main top gallant stay hallard (.012” tan) and the downhaul (.008” tan). Seized a thimble (3/32” split ring) to the downhaul as shown on Sheet 5. The halliard is reeved through the 3/32” single block at the royal mast and is belayed to pin 67 on the port side. The downhaul is tacked around the topgallant stay lead down to fore top and is reeved through the eye at the 3/32” single block, the eye at the end of the halliard, the thimble seized to the downhaul and the 3/32” block and is belayed to pin 24 on the port side of the forward fife rail. Stepped the main royal yard in the lowered position. Made the halliard (.010”) as per detail 6-E. The halliard is belayed to the main top mast sheer pole at the lower top. Rigged the main royal yard clew lines (.008”). Each clew line is seized to the cringle at the top gallant yard clump block, is reeved through the single block on the royal yard and is belayed to the sheer pole at the lower top. o The main royal yard lifts (,008”) were rigged next. The lifts are fixed and are not draped because the royal yard is lowered. Decided to rig the main royal backstays before rigging the main royal stay. I used .012” black rope for the back stay and the royal stay. The plan calls for .010” which is not furnished. Seized a 1/8” single block to each backstay (plan calls for 3/32”). The tackles were made with .008” tan rope. The tackle fall is belayed to cleat 74 P&S. Lastly, the main royal stay was rigged. The royal stay (.012”) is reeved through the collar and thimble at the fore top mast hounds and is set up with a thimble and a lanyard (.008”) and an eye bolt on the starboard side of the fore top as per DetaiL 5-F. Next up, fore royal yard, clew lines, and lifts.

Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot. The rigging may not be accurate but it's my interpretation of the plans, which leave you guessing in some places.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Stepped the fore topgallant yard. Used a .012” rope parrel. Fashioned the lashing for the topgallant tye using .018” black rope. Rigged the tye (.018”) and Halliard (.012”) as per Detail 6-D. Added the 3/32” clump blocks for the topgallant lifts (plan calls for 1/16” blocks which are not furnished). Seized the 1/8” single blocks to the topgallants shrouds as shown in the detail below the topgallant yard on Sheet 6. The plan calls 5/64” blocks which are not furnished with the kit. These blocks are for the topgallant bunt/leech lines. Completed the following rigging: Fore topsail yard clew lines (.008”). Seize to eye at topsail lift block. Passes through 3/32” double block shared with royal sheet. Belayed to pin 30 P&S at the pin rail. Passes through fairlead bar. Fore Topgallant yard bunt lines/leech lines (.012”). Passes through 5/64” block seized in shroud. Belayed to pin 29 P&S at the pin rail. Passes through fairlead bar. Fore topgallant yard lifts (.012”). Passes through thimble seized in shroud. Belayed to pin 33 P&S at the pin rail. Fore royal yard sheets (.008”). Passes through double block shared with clew line. Belayed to pin 34 P&S at the pin rail. Next up, step the royal yards.