Germania Nova 1911 by KeithAug - FINISHED - Scale 1:36 - replica of schooner Germania 1908

[KenW]

Again - Outstanding!

[mbp521]

What a beast! I knew this was a big build, but seeing it sitting on the Workmate just gives a better scale to it. Totally impressive!  
 

-Brian

Edited October 1, 2022 by mbp521

[mtaylor]

She takes one's breath away.   Wow.

[wefalck]

Imposing ...

[Mirabell61]

WUNDERBAR !!

 

Incredible work Keith, all looks great, love those sails

 

Nils

[michael mott]

Magnificent, simply Magnificent!!

 

Michael

[BANYAN]

Stunning!  This one very beautifully made and presented model Keith.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[mikegr]

Probably surpass in quality every model kit in the market

[Jim Lad]

Just catching up again, Keith.  She is still right up to the standard that we've come to expect from you.

 

That boom sheet is mega complex - never seen anything like it.

 

John

[Retired guy]

Absolutely Spectacular Keith 👍

 

Regards

Richard

[KeithAug]

Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments.

 

I haven't posted an update since the end of September although I have been making progress. I am away with relatives at the moment so this is an opportunity to catch up my build log. I hope to post a few updates over the next week. Here is the first.

 

Although I had hoisted the main and main top sail I wasn't worrying too much about sorting out the halyard tails. Over the following shots you will see the deck starting to feature a rats nest of lines. Thankfully I hadn't glued the various deck structures in place so these were gradually removed to throw the tails down as an expedient.

 

The next bit of rigging was the halyards for the main topping lifts and sheets for the top sail. These were rigged to the two pairs of twin sheaved blocks that terminate near the bulwark on either side of the main mast.

As I rigged the main mast halyards I progressively installed the single blocks at the base of the mast. Which halyard went to which block was not discernable from the available information / photos so I rigged the lines in what made most sense to me and also minimised crossing and binding of the lines at higher levels.

And so I progressed adding blocks.

I then moved to the foremast, temporarily supporting the fore mast gaff bridles as i had done with the main gaff. I loosely rigged the throat halyard.

The pair of single blocks were then attached to fore boom to take the sheets.

The fore mast sheets were then rigged. 

I then tightened the throat halyard.

The fore gaff bridles are much less complex than those of the main gaff and consequently the block and rigging arrangements are also simpler.

Finally for this update the parrel beads were installed on both the main and fore masts.

[wefalck]

Not exactly wheel-chair-friendly the deck ... one has to really pay attention not to trip over the lines leading to whinches and then the cleats ...

[BANYAN]

Now that I have picked myself up off the floor, all I can say is Wow - WOW! That level of detail and your skilled execution of all the rigging components is simply stunning detail Keith.  We have become accustomed to your high-quality work, but to see it all brought together like this presents such a wonderful bit of eye-candy.

 

cheers

 

Pat

Edited October 24, 2022 by BANYAN

[mbp521]

I am at a loss for words. For only having a few sheets on this boat there is an insane amount of rigging. Beautifully done.

 

-Brian

[michael mott]

Hi Keith,

Tricky stuff rigging, you are doing a superb job, like Eberhard said not exactly friendly to the folk who are challenged, but then there are all sorts of activities that require great dexterity and visual skills, which you appear to have in spades.

 

Lovely work as always.

 

michael

[KeithAug]

Thank you Eberhard, Pat, Brian and Michael.

 

This is the continuation of my log catch up.

 

The next job on the foresail was attaching the mast hoops to the sail - repeating the process used for the main mast. With the foresail mounted I could measure up and adjust the dimensions for the topsail. This done I made the topsail with wired edges and reinforcing as previously described.

The process of mounting the foremast deck blocks also commenced.

The reefing lines were then installed.

The topping lift was then lashed to the fore boom.

The fore topsail was then hoisted.

The sheets for the fore topsail were then rigged.

The staysail, jib and flying jib were then made. I had a think about the most practical way to make the hanks and decided my best bet was to start with small split pins.

The short leg of the pins was first removed with a jewellers saw.

The ring was then opened out and the long leg was bent to insert through the sail.

The bent legs were then inserted and clamped shut around the luff wire.

The staysail was then hoisted.

Edited October 24, 2022 by KeithAug

[wefalck]

If I see correctly, the topsail is only attached to the topmast at two points, right ? This seems quite unsual and aerodynamically not very efficient, though it allows easy setting and taking in.

 

Excellent workmanship, as usual, of course ...

[KeithAug]

21 minutes ago, wefalck said:

If I see correctly, the topsail is only attached to the topmast at two points, right ?

Eberhard - yes that is correct. Your suggestion that ease of handling outweighs efficiency is I think pertinent.

[wefalck]

In the old days, a couple of guys were sent aloft to sort out the topsails, but modern safety-at-sea-rules may be quite restrictive in that respect. As much gear as possible has to be operated from the deck.

[KeithAug]

The final part of my log catch up:-

 

I completed and hoisted the staysail and jibs. Germania is now showing her final profile. She is also quite large. I think I am going to have some tough negotiations about the display location! A number of deck houses are missing, awaiting the tidying of the various lines.

The real thing for comparison:-

The following shot shows the cranse iron. The two single blocks go to the jib and flying jib tacks (flying jib out of shot).

The flying jib and jib halyards:-

A more general view of the rigging at the top of the fore mast.

The additional blocks at the base of the fore mast have been added.

I now need to rig the jib sheets and sort out the tails of the various lines.

Edited October 28, 2022 by KeithAug

[Keith Black]

 Keith, she's spot on beautiful.

[mbp521]

I sit here in awe and think, how can this build get any better. Some how you keep showing me. Simply beautiful Keith!

 

- Brian

[Bedford]

I don't think I've used this word yet, splendid!

[BANYAN]

What a wonderful ride this build has been.  Congrats on a first-class build Keith; it has been a joy to see your progress and high-quality work.  She looks wonderful and so accuratly reflects the actual yacht.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Andrew J.]

Absolutely ridiculous how beautiful this is. There's just something I really love about this style of rig. I love how you've done the sails; the wire reinforcements definitely seem to provide the desired effect. Are you familiar with the movie Joe vs. the Volcano? One of Tom Hanks' and Meg Ryan's lesser-known and underappreciated romantic comedies. At one point they're sailing on the Pacific on a similar vessel, called the Tweedle Dee in the movie (Spike Africa in real life). There's this one shot at sunset with a lovely sweeping string motif that has always really struck me. Seeing your last couple updates of the sails all coming together reminds me of that.

[Dr PR]

Looking great, as always!

 

That Jackyard topsail is huge! I read in John Leather's Gaff Rig Handbook that the jackyard evolved as a means of getting around some type rules for racing. It allowed the area of the spar gaff topsail to be expanded greatly without violating the rules as written. He said some jackyard topsails had greater area than the main sail! You would have to be quick handling those things if a sudden squall blew up.

 

It is a beautiful model!

[wefalck]

Just one word: SPLENDID !!

[Valeriy V]

I froze in admiration!

Great model and great work!

[TBlack]

Keith,

I hope you have plans to publicly display this fabulous work of art/science. A broad audience really needs to see your work.

Tom

[Keith Black]

1 hour ago, TBlack said:

A broad audience really needs to see your work.

 Tom, I couldn't agree more.