jim_smits

Hi all,
 
Next update on the build has been start work on the two pairs of back stays, one each for the fore and main masts. Started off with the foremast by cutting two lengths of 0.75mm thread and serving around 5cm at the end of each line. As per the shrouds the served end is formed into a loop and a false splice used to fix in place. Added a 5mm block onto the end of the lines.
 

 
There are a couple of other components to put together to create the backstay assembly:
 
Block stroped to a rigging hook and;

 
Double block stroped with a small loop to accept a second line. 




 
Lines are added to these blocks

 
The whole assembly is then threaded up and a hook added to the end and all suitably tensioned.

 
The free line is then belayed to a pin on the bulwark.

 
Takes a little while but looks good. Need to repeat for the main mast.
 
 
 
 
 

Hi all,
 
Next update on the build has been start work on the two pairs of back stays, one each for the fore and main masts. Started off with the foremast by cutting two lengths of 0.75mm thread and serving around 5cm at the end of each line. As per the shrouds the served end is formed into a loop and a false splice used to fix in place. Added a 5mm block onto the end of the lines.
 

 
There are a couple of other components to put together to create the backstay assembly:
 
Block stroped to a rigging hook and;

 
Double block stroped with a small loop to accept a second line. 




 
Lines are added to these blocks

 
The whole assembly is then threaded up and a hook added to the end and all suitably tensioned.

 
The free line is then belayed to a pin on the bulwark.

 
Takes a little while but looks good. Need to repeat for the main mast.
 
 
 
 
 

Ratlines done! Not that many compared to other builds but still good to get them done. Onto the stays.....
 

 

 
First mate is on board providing 'help'.......
 

Looking great Jason. See you've halted Snake at the same point as I have and been distracted.....
 
I've gone the other way. Can we compare Diana to my Ballahoo....?!

Take a look at my ballahoo build as there's my section on creating deadeye strops. Hope it provides some tips.

All the lower mast stays have been completed, time to turn my attention to the top masts.
 

Ratlines done! Not that many compared to other builds but still good to get them done. Onto the stays.....
 

 

 
First mate is on board providing 'help'.......
 

Looking great Jason. See you've halted Snake at the same point as I have and been distracted.....
 
I've gone the other way. Can we compare Diana to my Ballahoo....?!

Unknown but is a prime suspect....

Ratlines done! Not that many compared to other builds but still good to get them done. Onto the stays.....
 

 

 
First mate is on board providing 'help'.......
 

Ratlines done! Not that many compared to other builds but still good to get them done. Onto the stays.....
 

 

 
First mate is on board providing 'help'.......
 

Ratlines done! Not that many compared to other builds but still good to get them done. Onto the stays.....
 

 

 
First mate is on board providing 'help'.......
 

Looking great Jason. See you've halted Snake at the same point as I have and been distracted.....
 
I've gone the other way. Can we compare Diana to my Ballahoo....?!

Nice hear from you John
 
Mobbsie - cheers mate, though I think you're being a bit generous with the praise 
 
Well, bit of a milestone, the upper deck is finally completed and glued into position.  Next step will be the interior bulwarks, will require some tweaking as a few test planks indicate that the bulwarks (even after shaping) still will be a bit wavy, I'll probably just add some thin scrap strips to the these to build them up, but more on that when its done.
 
The instructions make no mention of some deck former beams that need to go on before the upper deck, the only reference is on the side plan - I nearly missed them.  When in position there is clearly a problem because the beams will interfere with the open companions, once again the plans clearly show this issue.  Simple to cut out the center section without any real structural implications, the ones remaining will be hidden by gratings.  You can also see in the picture that I glued some thin beech off cuts where the two halves will join to provide some surface to mate the deck surfaces smoothly.  Deck was glued in multiple stages, first half deck glued to center line, section half deck glued to center and mated, and then glued down to the bulkheads to give correct camber.
 

 
Final result....completing the decking off the ship seems to have worked out just fine.
 


 
Size comparison to Snake which is still laid up....Jason will be a big boy!
 

 
 
 
 
 

I know it's not the best preparation for the potential future builds of Diana or Victory but I do love only having a single pair of shrouds on the main mast for tying ratlines onto....! 

I know it's not the best preparation for the potential future builds of Diana or Victory but I do love only having a single pair of shrouds on the main mast for tying ratlines onto....! 

I know it's not the best preparation for the potential future builds of Diana or Victory but I do love only having a single pair of shrouds on the main mast for tying ratlines onto....! 

Not a large amount of progress in the last couple of days. Made a start on tying ratlines for the main mast but I have now decided that I ought to get a proper base made up, so I have ordered a base from CMB. It is only a MDF base so I will await it's actual quality but it was only £6 so can't really complain.
 
Hope fully some more ratline progress tonight and I will follow up with the base when it arrives. CMB are pretty quick so perhaps by the weekend, although I am back in sunny Coventry to visit family and take in an ice hockey match.

Not a large amount of progress in the last couple of days. Made a start on tying ratlines for the main mast but I have now decided that I ought to get a proper base made up, so I have ordered a base from CMB. It is only a MDF base so I will await it's actual quality but it was only £6 so can't really complain.
 
Hope fully some more ratline progress tonight and I will follow up with the base when it arrives. CMB are pretty quick so perhaps by the weekend, although I am back in sunny Coventry to visit family and take in an ice hockey match.

Looks well smart Jim.. yup those 'light' coloured ratlines are appealing !
 
Eamonn

Another quick update.
 
Shrouds have now been added to the main mast with deadeyes and lanyards all rigged in. Onto more ratlines which should be nice and easy with only two shrouds per side. Then after that it's onto stays.

Another quick update.
 
Shrouds have now been added to the main mast with deadeyes and lanyards all rigged in. Onto more ratlines which should be nice and easy with only two shrouds per side. Then after that it's onto stays.

Another quick update.
 
Shrouds have now been added to the main mast with deadeyes and lanyards all rigged in. Onto more ratlines which should be nice and easy with only two shrouds per side. Then after that it's onto stays.

Hi Ray
 
I found the most simple effective way to make a mouse was to simply serve upto where you want to locate the mouse and then serve backwards and forwards over 5-10mm (depends on size you want) gradually building the mouse up.
 
Dab on some dilute PVA every pass to hold it all together. After two or three passes, start favouring the 'thicker' end of the mouse with smaller extra passes and then finish with a couple of full passes and then continue serving down the the stay.
 
Hope this all makes sense.
 
Jim

Hi Ray
 
I found the most simple effective way to make a mouse was to simply serve upto where you want to locate the mouse and then serve backwards and forwards over 5-10mm (depends on size you want) gradually building the mouse up.
 
Dab on some dilute PVA every pass to hold it all together. After two or three passes, start favouring the 'thicker' end of the mouse with smaller extra passes and then finish with a couple of full passes and then continue serving down the the stay.
 
Hope this all makes sense.
 
Jim