Jerry

When the admiral arrived home from work I got chewed out and thankfully she wasn't upset enough to say that she'll do the ironing from now on.  So that's the way it's going to be.  Best,
Jerry

Good evening everyone...
 
Today was a mixed day as far as things running smooth.  The bottom line is that the shroud cleats were prepared and installed in place and the mainstay was also completed.  Now for the in betweens........
 
I decided to do the fabric work on the sail to prepare it for rigging but I ran into a "mess."  I had already dyed the white cloth by dipping it in a pan of brewed tea which I followed with a soaking in a solution of 50% white glue and 50% water.  Everything looked great.  The admiral ironed the cloth and its consistantcy was perfect.  It had just about the right texture to make a good Vuiking sail.  So today I laid it out and cut it to size and folded over 3mm hems all around.  I decided to iron the hems to give them a permanent crease and that's when things went bad.  As soon as I touched the iron to the fabric I soon had a sail about 2/3 the original size.  Obviously I had the iron too hot and the fabric shrunk and I was out one sail.  I should have left the ironing to the admiral but she was at work so I stupidly tried it myself.  Fortunately I have some very good cotton fabric in the scrap pile so I'll just start all over again tomorrow.
 
But all was not lost because I did manage to get some standing rigging done which included the Mainstay and it's flying cleats...and the anchor cleats for the shrouds.  The cleat that secures the Mainstay is also used to hold the anchor line so please don't be confused by the abundance of lines.
 
There are no directions as to how to anchor the shrouds in the hull but upon internet research I learned that the shrouds tie down inside the bulwarks near the deck of the ship.  The plans do call for small holes to be drilled in the side of the bulwarks at exactly the place where the shrouds come to the hull.  This is called out right after the lapstraking is finished.  So I decided to use these holes to anchor the shroud cleats by securing them with a knot as they enter the hull from the outside.  The knots will not be seen as the shields will happily cover them.
 
Here are some pictures which I hope will explain what I mentioned above:  Please remember that placing your mouse over the picture will reveal its caption.
 
Hope everyone has a great evening.
Best,
Jerry

Good evening everyone...
 
Today was a mixed day as far as things running smooth.  The bottom line is that the shroud cleats were prepared and installed in place and the mainstay was also completed.  Now for the in betweens........
 
I decided to do the fabric work on the sail to prepare it for rigging but I ran into a "mess."  I had already dyed the white cloth by dipping it in a pan of brewed tea which I followed with a soaking in a solution of 50% white glue and 50% water.  Everything looked great.  The admiral ironed the cloth and its consistantcy was perfect.  It had just about the right texture to make a good Vuiking sail.  So today I laid it out and cut it to size and folded over 3mm hems all around.  I decided to iron the hems to give them a permanent crease and that's when things went bad.  As soon as I touched the iron to the fabric I soon had a sail about 2/3 the original size.  Obviously I had the iron too hot and the fabric shrunk and I was out one sail.  I should have left the ironing to the admiral but she was at work so I stupidly tried it myself.  Fortunately I have some very good cotton fabric in the scrap pile so I'll just start all over again tomorrow.
 
But all was not lost because I did manage to get some standing rigging done which included the Mainstay and it's flying cleats...and the anchor cleats for the shrouds.  The cleat that secures the Mainstay is also used to hold the anchor line so please don't be confused by the abundance of lines.
 
There are no directions as to how to anchor the shrouds in the hull but upon internet research I learned that the shrouds tie down inside the bulwarks near the deck of the ship.  The plans do call for small holes to be drilled in the side of the bulwarks at exactly the place where the shrouds come to the hull.  This is called out right after the lapstraking is finished.  So I decided to use these holes to anchor the shroud cleats by securing them with a knot as they enter the hull from the outside.  The knots will not be seen as the shields will happily cover them.
 
Here are some pictures which I hope will explain what I mentioned above:  Please remember that placing your mouse over the picture will reveal its caption.
 
Hope everyone has a great evening.
Best,
Jerry

Good afternoon everybody.
 
Well today was a nice productive day in the drydock.  The anchor was completely riggged and set into its sailing position.


 
All 12 cleats were shaped and glued where they belong.  Most of them were drilled for a short wire stub which was inserted into the wood where they were positioned to give them additional strength.  
 
The mast and jib were shaped and also temporarily mounted in place.  The jib, however is permanently fixed to the mast but is able to move up and down the mast by manipulating the halyard tied to the mast cleat.  
 
The sling is made with kit supplied thread but seized to make it stouter
 
 






 
I'd like to add that I seized the rope that was used to make the yard sling.
 
Next will come the shrouds, stays and other standing rigging.  Looks like this build is coming along fine in spite of what I wrote below....
 
I do want to comment once again with respect to the quality of the kit.  Some wooden pieces were completely missing and other were badly lasered so that a few of them completely broke when carefully removed from the wooden sheet.  Some 1x3 mm walnut strip wood was completely missing as were the wooden pieces to connect the spinniker booms to the mast.  I guess I'll try and shape these out of some dowel stock.
 
I learned a lot about the quality of the Amati kit and I feel sorry for the Admiral who's slowly attempting to build an Amati HMS Bounty.  I hope she has better luck than I have so far.
 
Best everyone for a great weekend.
 
Jerry

Good afternoon everybody.
 
Well today was a nice productive day in the drydock.  The anchor was completely riggged and set into its sailing position.


 
All 12 cleats were shaped and glued where they belong.  Most of them were drilled for a short wire stub which was inserted into the wood where they were positioned to give them additional strength.  
 
The mast and jib were shaped and also temporarily mounted in place.  The jib, however is permanently fixed to the mast but is able to move up and down the mast by manipulating the halyard tied to the mast cleat.  
 
The sling is made with kit supplied thread but seized to make it stouter
 
 






 
I'd like to add that I seized the rope that was used to make the yard sling.
 
Next will come the shrouds, stays and other standing rigging.  Looks like this build is coming along fine in spite of what I wrote below....
 
I do want to comment once again with respect to the quality of the kit.  Some wooden pieces were completely missing and other were badly lasered so that a few of them completely broke when carefully removed from the wooden sheet.  Some 1x3 mm walnut strip wood was completely missing as were the wooden pieces to connect the spinniker booms to the mast.  I guess I'll try and shape these out of some dowel stock.
 
I learned a lot about the quality of the Amati kit and I feel sorry for the Admiral who's slowly attempting to build an Amati HMS Bounty.  I hope she has better luck than I have so far.
 
Best everyone for a great weekend.
 
Jerry

Good afternoon everybody.
 
Well today was a nice productive day in the drydock.  The anchor was completely riggged and set into its sailing position.


 
All 12 cleats were shaped and glued where they belong.  Most of them were drilled for a short wire stub which was inserted into the wood where they were positioned to give them additional strength.  
 
The mast and jib were shaped and also temporarily mounted in place.  The jib, however is permanently fixed to the mast but is able to move up and down the mast by manipulating the halyard tied to the mast cleat.  
 
The sling is made with kit supplied thread but seized to make it stouter
 
 






 
I'd like to add that I seized the rope that was used to make the yard sling.
 
Next will come the shrouds, stays and other standing rigging.  Looks like this build is coming along fine in spite of what I wrote below....
 
I do want to comment once again with respect to the quality of the kit.  Some wooden pieces were completely missing and other were badly lasered so that a few of them completely broke when carefully removed from the wooden sheet.  Some 1x3 mm walnut strip wood was completely missing as were the wooden pieces to connect the spinniker booms to the mast.  I guess I'll try and shape these out of some dowel stock.
 
I learned a lot about the quality of the Amati kit and I feel sorry for the Admiral who's slowly attempting to build an Amati HMS Bounty.  I hope she has better luck than I have so far.
 
Best everyone for a great weekend.
 
Jerry

Good afternoon everybody.
 
Well today was a nice productive day in the drydock.  The anchor was completely riggged and set into its sailing position.


 
All 12 cleats were shaped and glued where they belong.  Most of them were drilled for a short wire stub which was inserted into the wood where they were positioned to give them additional strength.  
 
The mast and jib were shaped and also temporarily mounted in place.  The jib, however is permanently fixed to the mast but is able to move up and down the mast by manipulating the halyard tied to the mast cleat.  
 
The sling is made with kit supplied thread but seized to make it stouter
 
 






 
I'd like to add that I seized the rope that was used to make the yard sling.
 
Next will come the shrouds, stays and other standing rigging.  Looks like this build is coming along fine in spite of what I wrote below....
 
I do want to comment once again with respect to the quality of the kit.  Some wooden pieces were completely missing and other were badly lasered so that a few of them completely broke when carefully removed from the wooden sheet.  Some 1x3 mm walnut strip wood was completely missing as were the wooden pieces to connect the spinniker booms to the mast.  I guess I'll try and shape these out of some dowel stock.
 
I learned a lot about the quality of the Amati kit and I feel sorry for the Admiral who's slowly attempting to build an Amati HMS Bounty.  I hope she has better luck than I have so far.
 
Best everyone for a great weekend.
 
Jerry

Hello Popeye..
Good observ ation...The rise you speak of is where the rudder is mounted.  Check out the following pictures.
And have a great day,
Best
Jerry

Hello Popeye..
Good observ ation...The rise you speak of is where the rudder is mounted.  Check out the following pictures.
And have a great day,
Best
Jerry

Soryy, Popeye....It's the stern of the boat, not the bow.
Jerry

Hello Popeye..
Good observ ation...The rise you speak of is where the rudder is mounted.  Check out the following pictures.
And have a great day,
Best
Jerry

Hello Popeye..
Good observ ation...The rise you speak of is where the rudder is mounted.  Check out the following pictures.
And have a great day,
Best
Jerry

It's thundering, lightning and raining like hell outside.  The Florida rainy season has arrived since it's the fourth day in a row that this has happened.  
 
Hello everyone...
 
Well the Drakkar is beginning to take shape, and with the weather we're having these days, it's not too soon. But before I mention any progress I would like to echo a remark that Keith made when he looked over this  same Amati kit   He said the wood was terrible and Imust say the same.  And to make matters worse, some of the smaller parts were laid out so that the grain caused breakage of some of them.  Fortunately I've had that experience before and didn't panick; I just used my tweezers and some quick drying CA cement and all was well again.
 
Today was a good progress day......
 
The trestles, oar racks, swinging boom steps have been shaped, sanded, painted and applied to the deck.  There's a chest and a bucket that is mentioned in the parts list and I can't find any place in the directions or plans  (Italian and English) as to where they are to sit on the deck so i guess I'll put them where I want to and noone will know the difference.  Tomorrow I hope to construct the anchor and its paraphernalia and asome other stiff if I have time.
 
Here some pictures that bring this build up-to-date.:
 
Best,
Jerry

Good afternoon (or eveing) everyone...
Well here I am again hoping I'm not boring anyone.  I have a few more pictures which hopefully will show what I've been up to.  In my collection of model paints  (Admiraly, to be specific) I found what I thought was an excellent choice for coloring the bulwarks and hull.  It's a walnut brown and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.  I have also fabricated, painted and glued in place the the "shields rack' whic clings to the upper hull at the gunwales.  It looks like the next steps involve the deck fixtures so I believe the masting and rigging is not too far off.
Best to everyone,
Jerry

It's thundering, lightning and raining like hell outside.  The Florida rainy season has arrived since it's the fourth day in a row that this has happened.  
 
Hello everyone...
 
Well the Drakkar is beginning to take shape, and with the weather we're having these days, it's not too soon. But before I mention any progress I would like to echo a remark that Keith made when he looked over this  same Amati kit   He said the wood was terrible and Imust say the same.  And to make matters worse, some of the smaller parts were laid out so that the grain caused breakage of some of them.  Fortunately I've had that experience before and didn't panick; I just used my tweezers and some quick drying CA cement and all was well again.
 
Today was a good progress day......
 
The trestles, oar racks, swinging boom steps have been shaped, sanded, painted and applied to the deck.  There's a chest and a bucket that is mentioned in the parts list and I can't find any place in the directions or plans  (Italian and English) as to where they are to sit on the deck so i guess I'll put them where I want to and noone will know the difference.  Tomorrow I hope to construct the anchor and its paraphernalia and asome other stiff if I have time.
 
Here some pictures that bring this build up-to-date.:
 
Best,
Jerry

It's thundering, lightning and raining like hell outside.  The Florida rainy season has arrived since it's the fourth day in a row that this has happened.  
 
Hello everyone...
 
Well the Drakkar is beginning to take shape, and with the weather we're having these days, it's not too soon. But before I mention any progress I would like to echo a remark that Keith made when he looked over this  same Amati kit   He said the wood was terrible and Imust say the same.  And to make matters worse, some of the smaller parts were laid out so that the grain caused breakage of some of them.  Fortunately I've had that experience before and didn't panick; I just used my tweezers and some quick drying CA cement and all was well again.
 
Today was a good progress day......
 
The trestles, oar racks, swinging boom steps have been shaped, sanded, painted and applied to the deck.  There's a chest and a bucket that is mentioned in the parts list and I can't find any place in the directions or plans  (Italian and English) as to where they are to sit on the deck so i guess I'll put them where I want to and noone will know the difference.  Tomorrow I hope to construct the anchor and its paraphernalia and asome other stiff if I have time.
 
Here some pictures that bring this build up-to-date.:
 
Best,
Jerry

It's thundering, lightning and raining like hell outside.  The Florida rainy season has arrived since it's the fourth day in a row that this has happened.  
 
Hello everyone...
 
Well the Drakkar is beginning to take shape, and with the weather we're having these days, it's not too soon. But before I mention any progress I would like to echo a remark that Keith made when he looked over this  same Amati kit   He said the wood was terrible and Imust say the same.  And to make matters worse, some of the smaller parts were laid out so that the grain caused breakage of some of them.  Fortunately I've had that experience before and didn't panick; I just used my tweezers and some quick drying CA cement and all was well again.
 
Today was a good progress day......
 
The trestles, oar racks, swinging boom steps have been shaped, sanded, painted and applied to the deck.  There's a chest and a bucket that is mentioned in the parts list and I can't find any place in the directions or plans  (Italian and English) as to where they are to sit on the deck so i guess I'll put them where I want to and noone will know the difference.  Tomorrow I hope to construct the anchor and its paraphernalia and asome other stiff if I have time.
 
Here some pictures that bring this build up-to-date.:
 
Best,
Jerry

It's thundering, lightning and raining like hell outside.  The Florida rainy season has arrived since it's the fourth day in a row that this has happened.  
 
Hello everyone...
 
Well the Drakkar is beginning to take shape, and with the weather we're having these days, it's not too soon. But before I mention any progress I would like to echo a remark that Keith made when he looked over this  same Amati kit   He said the wood was terrible and Imust say the same.  And to make matters worse, some of the smaller parts were laid out so that the grain caused breakage of some of them.  Fortunately I've had that experience before and didn't panick; I just used my tweezers and some quick drying CA cement and all was well again.
 
Today was a good progress day......
 
The trestles, oar racks, swinging boom steps have been shaped, sanded, painted and applied to the deck.  There's a chest and a bucket that is mentioned in the parts list and I can't find any place in the directions or plans  (Italian and English) as to where they are to sit on the deck so i guess I'll put them where I want to and noone will know the difference.  Tomorrow I hope to construct the anchor and its paraphernalia and asome other stiff if I have time.
 
Here some pictures that bring this build up-to-date.:
 
Best,
Jerry

It's thundering, lightning and raining like hell outside.  The Florida rainy season has arrived since it's the fourth day in a row that this has happened.  
 
Hello everyone...
 
Well the Drakkar is beginning to take shape, and with the weather we're having these days, it's not too soon. But before I mention any progress I would like to echo a remark that Keith made when he looked over this  same Amati kit   He said the wood was terrible and Imust say the same.  And to make matters worse, some of the smaller parts were laid out so that the grain caused breakage of some of them.  Fortunately I've had that experience before and didn't panick; I just used my tweezers and some quick drying CA cement and all was well again.
 
Today was a good progress day......
 
The trestles, oar racks, swinging boom steps have been shaped, sanded, painted and applied to the deck.  There's a chest and a bucket that is mentioned in the parts list and I can't find any place in the directions or plans  (Italian and English) as to where they are to sit on the deck so i guess I'll put them where I want to and noone will know the difference.  Tomorrow I hope to construct the anchor and its paraphernalia and asome other stiff if I have time.
 
Here some pictures that bring this build up-to-date.:
 
Best,
Jerry

Real nice job on the foremast platform.  It looks crisp and very real.  Good work.
Best,
Jerry

Good afternoon (or eveing) everyone...
Well here I am again hoping I'm not boring anyone.  I have a few more pictures which hopefully will show what I've been up to.  In my collection of model paints  (Admiraly, to be specific) I found what I thought was an excellent choice for coloring the bulwarks and hull.  It's a walnut brown and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.  I have also fabricated, painted and glued in place the the "shields rack' whic clings to the upper hull at the gunwales.  It looks like the next steps involve the deck fixtures so I believe the masting and rigging is not too far off.
Best to everyone,
Jerry

Good afternoon (or eveing) everyone...
Well here I am again hoping I'm not boring anyone.  I have a few more pictures which hopefully will show what I've been up to.  In my collection of model paints  (Admiraly, to be specific) I found what I thought was an excellent choice for coloring the bulwarks and hull.  It's a walnut brown and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.  I have also fabricated, painted and glued in place the the "shields rack' whic clings to the upper hull at the gunwales.  It looks like the next steps involve the deck fixtures so I believe the masting and rigging is not too far off.
Best to everyone,
Jerry

Hello Robert..
I guess I have neglected your build site and for that I apologize.  I became so engrossed in my own build that I selfishly didn't exploe other builds.  From what I see you certainly know what you are doing and before long you will have a beautiful trophy at your home.  Keep up the very good detailed work and try and have some fun. Your log is very well constructed and will help many others in the future.
Best to you,
Jerry

Good afternoon (or eveing) everyone...
Well here I am again hoping I'm not boring anyone.  I have a few more pictures which hopefully will show what I've been up to.  In my collection of model paints  (Admiraly, to be specific) I found what I thought was an excellent choice for coloring the bulwarks and hull.  It's a walnut brown and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.  I have also fabricated, painted and glued in place the the "shields rack' whic clings to the upper hull at the gunwales.  It looks like the next steps involve the deck fixtures so I believe the masting and rigging is not too far off.
Best to everyone,
Jerry

Good afternoon (or eveing) everyone...
Well here I am again hoping I'm not boring anyone.  I have a few more pictures which hopefully will show what I've been up to.  In my collection of model paints  (Admiraly, to be specific) I found what I thought was an excellent choice for coloring the bulwarks and hull.  It's a walnut brown and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.  I have also fabricated, painted and glued in place the the "shields rack' whic clings to the upper hull at the gunwales.  It looks like the next steps involve the deck fixtures so I believe the masting and rigging is not too far off.
Best to everyone,
Jerry