Yacht America by flyer - FINISHED - Mamoli - scale 1:66 - with some alterations

[flyer]

 

The jib was pencilled and glued the same way as the other sails. For the hanks, attaching it to the jib stay, I used the kit's brass rings. Several alternatives similar to the Pickle's hanks looked less convincing.

Due to the altered stay I had fix the forward clew a bit differently. I'm not happy with the way it looks now - next time I build this ship I will take the stay through the bowsprit in front of those rings.

 

The eyebolts for the lower blocks of the sheet tackles were set into the waterway. The kit's instructions have them on the rail. I didn't believe that.

Then I had to tighten the already finished lanyard of the stay tackle. Fortunately it was fixed with diluted white glue only and could be loosened with some water. Lesson learned (again): don't coil your ropes before the stable door is closed - as Jack Aubrey perhaps could formulate, using another one of his inappropriate sayings.

 

jib is set

 

 

 

a small leftover 2mm block leads the down hauler

 

 

forward clew - looks a bit dislocated

 

 

 

boom end with sheet tackles

 

 

almost in racing condition

 

[Martin W]

Love that final shot -- racing condition indeed!  She is sleek and aggressive.  These are all nice details, Peter -- sails have eluded me, or maybe I should more properly say intimated me.  Yours really do complete this lovely build.

 

As for your next:  I vote for the Agamemnon.  It's sizeable to be sure, but intriguing in plenty of ways.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

 

 

[hamilton]

Hi Peter:

 

It's been a while since I checked in and your America looks great! The sails are beautiful and thanks for the tutorial above!! Very helpful - I will definitely be consulting it next time I try to make sails!

 

As for the block you mention above for the tack - the one on the long line connected to the gaff. That block is actually for the topsail sheet - I think it must have been put in place to allow the operation of the gaff topsail from a single location on deck (i.e., the foot of the mast) - though I'm no expert....

 

great work - looks like you're close to the end....

hamilton

[flyer]

Hi Hamilton

Thank you. I would like it if you tried that simplified sail making. Sails add much to the beauty and are the raison d'être of all that masts and rigging of a sailing ship.

About that block: I agree with you, however it seems not to change much in the way the tack arrives at the mast foot - it goes to the block on deck anyway but needs more pull because you have to overcome the friction of an additional block. On the other hand, reconsidering it, I see that it helps to lead the tack well clear of the flag line. Perhaps a reason for the particular arrangement. Well, I still can install it.

However, after my botch job on the tack of the jib sail I'm still looking for possible improvements of that situation. In the meantime I will have fun with the outer jib.

Take care

peter

[BETAQDAVE]

Nice job!  I especially liked the coppering job and the rudder mounting.  In the future I plan on building a 3/16" scale version of the Phantom and will try ordering some of those plates by Amanti as they should look quite good on my build also.

[flyer]

Hi Dave

Thank you.

BTW: If Wikipedia is correct then 1/8” scale is equal to a metric scale of 1:96. Now the Amati plates are 1:64 or 1:72.  If you would build in 3/16" scale you could use all those myriads of fittings in 1:64.

I'm looking forward to your build log in whatever scale you decide on!

Cheers

peter

[flyer]

The outer jib was the last sail to be hoisted. The making was similar to the other sails. I used again the lighter Amati rigging hooks to set it "flying". The sheets were lashed to the sail according to a picture found in Lees.

i decided to thrust the kit's instructions and added the disputed block for the gaff topsail's tack. Although I still wonder about its usefulness the rig looks better with it.

There remain still a few loose ends to be stowed. Next will be boats and the flag.

all sails set (and the gaff topsail tack runs now through an additional block)

 

 

sheet lashed to the outer jib

 

 

mast tops

 

 

still a few loose ends to stow

[Martin W]

Va Va Va VOOM! 

[hamilton]

Looking beautiful Peter! 

hamilton

[flyer]

showing the flag

 

The flag coming with the kit was too coarse, stiff and historically incorrect. During 1851 the flag changed from 30 to 31 stars with the admission of California as a state. Although I love the Californian Republic I made only a 30 star flag because it seemed simpler and America perhaps only had this on board when leaving the US for Europe.

The flag was hand painted onto the same fabric as I used for the sails. The stars are just small, irregular dots and the 'hand made' clearly shows but I like it.

It was then hoisted according to the kits drawings. Attaching the flag line to the boom always seemed the logical solution to me, although I had to learn, while rigging Pickle, that the navy way was again the complicated one by attaching the flag line at the rail and having to adjust it with each shifting of the gaff.

 

 

printed template and hand painted flag compared to the kit's flag

 

 

 

looks acceptable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flyer]

the boats

In my clever books and the web I was looking for installation details of the davits with their boats. A clear example of "how to..." wasn't to be found and I had to revert to some more or less educated guesswork.

The davits most probably could be turned inboard and you would then have had the option to stow the boats on deck. However the paintings in John Rousmaniere's book seem all to show the boats hanging outboard. Most period davits show some stays from the davits head to the deck and one between the heads. Those were probably for stabilisation as well as a help for turning the davits.

The tackles for the boats are straightforward usual ones with a double and a single block with a hook.

One of the attaching points on the davits I use for the straps and will wind them diagonally around the boats. Originally the probably used some sort of tape but I took 0.5 mm thread instead.

 

 

davits on starboard side installed

 

the boat is pulled up into position on the port side

[flyer]

The work on America (the schooner) was suspended for 2 weeks, while I visited America (the continent).

We made a trip from New York to Boston and up the coast of New England to Bar Harbor - a wonderful region and truly wonderful people. As we visited before the season begun, we met hardly any tourists (except us) and it all was very peaceful and only occasionally a bit cold or wet or both.

near Bar Harbor (Maine)

 

In Bath I had the opportunity to visit the Maine Maritime Museum (meanwhile the Admiralty was successfully scouting the town for a decent pub). A great location with very interesting exhibits.

It seems that altogether several thousand ships were built in Maine and among them hundreds or thousands of schooners. A truly astonishing example was the wooden schooner Wyoming, launched in 1909, with 6 masts and an overall length of 445ft or 135m.

A museum and an area well worth a visit.

a fine model of the Wyoming in scale 1/8 inch = 1 foot or 1:96

 

a sculpture depicting the real size of the Wyoming - look at the cars!

[Mirabell61]

On 11.4.2017 at 2:59 PM, flyer said:

the boats

 

 

In my clever books and the web I was looking for installation details of the davits with their boats. A clear example of "how to..." wasn't to be found and I had to revert to some more or less educated guesswork.

 

The davits most probably could be turned inboard and you would then have had the option to stow the boats on deck. However the paintings in John Rousmaniere's book seem all to show the boats hanging outboard. Most period davits show some stays from the davits head to the deck and one between the heads. Those were probably for stabilisation as well as a help for turning the davits.

 

The tackles for the boats are straightforward usual ones with a double and a single block with a hook.

 

One of the attaching points on the davits I use for the straps and will wind them diagonally around the boats. Originally the probably used some sort of tape but I took 0.5 mm thread instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

davits on starboard side installed

 

 

 

 

 

the boat is pulled up into position on the port side

 

Hi Peter,

 

I like that detail "hauling the boat up", it looks great...

it could just as well be "setting the boat out"

 

Nils

[Martin W]

Congratulations on your visit to Bar Harbor, Peter.  I travelled up there last summer and found some utterly delicious beer, and some fabulous food.  I had wanted to stop off in Bath, but was told that my "little hobbies" would only delay the real purpose of the trip (though I never quite found out what that was).  Your pictures remind me of just how beautiful that coast is.

 

In Boston, at the Constitution museum, I saw some fascinating models.  I've been told that BeanTown has good beer, but didn't find any on my own.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[flyer]

Hi Nils

Thanks. Unfortunately that boat had to be stowed for good and the picture shows only a passing moment. I think with all sails set on America a boat in the process of being hoisted - or lowered - wood look somewhat false.

 

Hi Martin

Yep and not only a beautiful coast but also inhabited by delightful people.

A visit to the grand old lady in Boston unfortunately was omitted this time but Bath really compensated for that.

I found some Sam Adams' beers at least drinkable. The seasonal summer ale was quite good although their IPA was rather a bit bitter.

The Admiralty and her mysterious ways - too bad about that missed museum. Perhaps the next few pictures may compensate a bit...

 

Cheers

peter

 

a model of the clipper Snow Squall built in 1851 (!)

 

 

The following pictures show the interior of the Mould Loft - one of the several buildings from the time the Museum still was an operating wharf. The Mould Loft's function is explained in the first one.

I found this very informative and interesting.

[Mirabell61]

Hi Peter,

 

thanks for sharing your pics of the museum...., The lines on the loft floor can really be tempting to build a real boat, the same approach as for a model...

 

Nils

[flyer]

 

 

Back in my wharf I had the boats stowed and the loose ends trimmed. America was almost finished.

I also had a brass nameplate made with the engraving:

                                    Schooner Yacht AMERICA (1851)

                        On August 22, 1851, she was the first winner

                        of a new British yachting trophy which was

                        later named after her.

 

 

 

stowed boats and nameplate

 

 

 

 

boat on portside

 

 

 

almost ready to sail - only the crew is missing

[Martin W]

She really is a beauty, Peter.  That name plate is just the perfect touch.  Are you going to put her in a case?

[Mirabell61]

Beautiful done schooner Peter,

 

I love the boats, they look real good, in fitting out and in scale. You mentioned in one of your posts .... the raw boat and the finished boat,

just a question, if I may ask,  is the raw boat made as resin cast, and what source are you using for it ? 

 

Nils

[flyer]

Thank you, Martin. No, I will give her 'in the raw' to a friend as a dust collector for his office. I will try to convince him of a case.

 

Sure Nils, glad to help, if possible. It is a Quaycraft boat cast in resin. I bought it from cornvallmodelboats and they have something in 1:144 - but alas  not covered by a tarpaulin.

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/quaycraft-boats-1144.html

 

Cheers

peter

[Blue Ensign]

A fine, fine, model Peter, love the look of the boats on the Davits.

How lucky is your friend to be the recipient of such a  handsome gift.

 

I think she will as all models do look better out of a case, and she is of the style that could be kept clean with periodic dusting - easy access and limited rigging.

 

Well done Peter

 

B.E.

[flyer]

Thank you, B.E.

A thought worth to consider - on the other hand I heard that my friends cleaning lady sometimes lacks a bit in subtlety.

peter

[flyer]

the crew

 

I wanted America to have a crew. Not to overdo it I thought about 5 sailors could be on deck. A helmsman and a skipper or first mate should be among them.

 

I hired some candidates from Amati and Mantua. To fix them on deck I drilled a 0,5 mm hole into one foot of each figure and glued a short length of brass wire into it. A discreet 0,5mm hole in the seams between the deck planks is then sufficient to hold a figure in place without additional glue. (Only the sitting sailor, doing duty as tiller man, had his hole drilled in a different place. Since that operation he seems a bit angry and refuses to listen or to speak to me.)

 

The figures were painted. They all get blue trousers, white shirts, blue jackets and black shoes. Not being under the strict navy discipline they immediately added some personal items, such as woollen caps or coloured bandanas and some took their jackets off. But still they look reasonably smart. After placing them on deck I only have to set up a stage for the final pictures before America sails.

 

 

Raw crew figures

 

 

 

brass wire in the foot

 

 

 

crew ready to board

 

 

 

a fairly busy deck

 

 

 

a (still sullen) helmsman and the skipper

 

 

 

the first mate adjusting the rigging

 

 

 

the lookout in the bow

[Martin W]

That's a neat touch, Peter.  They make the America look alive and active.  But I don't recall anywhere in your log that you stowed any grog -- could that explain the sullen attitude of your helmsman? 

 

Martin

[flyer]

finished!

Before America could set sail for her maiden voyage she was the object of a photo session:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

conclusion

 

Despite several shortcomings definitely a interesting and rewarding kit. I would very much appreciate a reissue e.g. by Dusek. The general kit conception is ok and the scale 1/66 (even better would be a standard 1/64) is a good choice for America. Building with the actual documentation could be difficult for beginners and clearer and more detailed instructions would help.

Among the other possible improvements could be real copper plates, better deadeye strops and a general rethinking if white metal parts could be replaced by photo etched brass parts. The layout of the rigging, especially the standing rigging of the schooner topmast, should be rechecked. Also the construction and exact form of the stern could be clarified. And I still don't believe in areas of vertical running short planks on the stern as they are used here or also in the Cutty Sark kit.

 

 

[Martin W]

Fantastic, Peter, absolutely fantastic.  Your assessment of the kit is fair, and is something that we should all make clear so that kit companies can improve their offerings.  A build like this is such a beauty that it only make sense that companies should upgrade just a few of the fitting or design.

 

Bravissimo!

 

What's up next?

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[flyer]

Thank you very much, Martin.

 

Next will be a ship of the line - although I have no idea where to place the finished model. On the other hand I will have about 3 to 5 years to solve that problem.

 

Favourites are Agamemnon and Bellerophon - leaning towards the later. The direct connection not only to Trafalgar but also to Napoleon himself fascinates me. She will also need a bit less space and the different (1/72) scale should still be near enough to 1/64 to enable the use of all the practical experience from the last projects.

 

Cheers

Peter

[flyer]

final photo session

The last 2 projects were put side by side for a photo session. They are built in roughly the same scale (1/64 and 1/66).

I find it quite interesting to compare those two schooners, Pickle from about 1800 and America from about 1850. Although they were built for different purposes both were built as seaworthy vessels and for speed. Although Pickle may have needed about 20 sailors alone to serve her carronades she had with a complement of about 40 still a much more numerous crew than America with about 7. It seems that the deliberately kept simple rig of America gave a better speed and was easier to work.

 

the widest part of the hull is about 30% further aft on America

 

Pickle must have been cramped: less hull volume and six times the crew of America.

 

round stern versus square stern

 

 

a sharper bow for speed

 

 

about double the sail area on America - no wonder she went ahead

[Mirabell61]

Peter,

 

nice final photos of both ships, congrats to the two beautiful looking models...

 

Nils

[hamilton]

Hi Peter:

 

Sorry I haven't been by for a while - have been in out of town for the last three months and then dealing with a hand injury.....nothing fatal to modelling fortunately!

 

The America looks great (the Pickle too!) - the additions and improvements you made bring a lot to this kit - great work! I'm going to head over to your Belerophon page now - looking forward to another impressive build

hamilton