Will Everard by bolin - FINISHED - Billing Boats - scale 1:67 - second build

[bolin]

I have continued with preparing the masts. Now all the shrouds and stays are attached, the next step is the sails.

 

The main mast:

I have not used the serving machine I built. The black linen thread looks good enough to my eye without it.

I intend to have the sails furled. The look I'm after is something like the picture below. As can be seen the sails are not extremely tight when furled, which is good as it means that a thin fabric might look rather good scale wise.

I experimented with coloring a scrap piece of fabric (didn't turn out to well...). It is a bit heavier than I intend to use, but could serve as an indication. Still to big when furled.

 

So I cut away the aft third and then I think it will be OK (with a lighter fabric).

So far so good. But I also took a minute to study the plans once more. (In my experience Billings has a deserved rumor for very scant instructions. The plans on the other hand, at least for Will, contains a lot of information). Now I found a number of lines to control the sail (I think they are called brail lines), and accompanying blocks.

When I look closely on the picture of the real Will above, these blocks and lines are visible. There are similar lines and blocks on the main sail. But this also means that I'm 16-18 blocks short. Even though they are drawn on the plans, they are not included in the kit so when I bought replacement blocks I did not count these. From what I can gather these lines are symmetrical on each side of the sails. It also looks like the blocks are attached to the sail rather than to the mast or gaff. This makes sense as it would be hard to raise and lower the sail otherwise. I think I need to order some more (smaller) blocks for this.

 

When I found this I started to double check my sources for any other missing parts in the rigging. Then I found another missing line in Billings plan. There should be an out haul for the mizzen sail. Its easy to see on the museum model, but can also be seen on the real Will above.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

[bolin]

I ordered some more pear wood blocks from Vanguard models. (And I couldn't help myself but ordered the "Lady Eleanor" kit as well...)

 

While waiting for that to arrive (scheduled for tomorrow) I continued with the boat.

 

Clamping these thin strips while drying is hard, all my clamps are to strong. In the end I have mostly just held the strips in place with my fingers. First while the soaked strips dries to shape and then until the Aliphatic Resin sets enough to keep them in place. It is good to have something interesting to listen to in the earphones while doing this... (actually it does not take that long)

 

Cheers

[bolin]

I managed to finish planking the hull on the boat today. I ran into a bit of problem towards the keel. When I had only two planks left I saw that there was not enough space for the full width of both of them. I needed to splice either the garboard or the first real plank. I decided to glue the garboard in first and then cut a thin sliver to put in the narrow gap.

I'm reasonably satisfied with the result. I think I can fill in the remaining gaps with glue and sawdust and get an acceptable look on the hull.

 

I'm still not sure why I ended up with the space problem at the keel. Probably a combination of things. The first is that I think I did not ensure that the jig was assembled snugly in all parts. Then the first plank was glued with a tiny gap from the jig, and then the rest of planks where beveled a tiny bit less than needed. It all added up.

 

I hope that it is not an indication of some worse problem that may cause the keel an other part not to fit. I will see.

 

BTW my blocks and Lady Eleanor kit arrived today, looking good!

 

[bolin]

I completed the planking of the boat and was able to lift it from the jig.

 

 

The glue stains needs to be scraped off before I can continue with the railing, keel and the rest.

 

I have also worked on the sails. It took several tries before I was reasonably satisfied with the color. I aimed for something slightly redder, but I am happy with the uneven staining. I think it gives more of a weathered look to the sails than a uniform color would have given. So I decided to keep this piece.

 

The sewing of the sails was in comparison a simple task. They are sewn only 2/3 as wide as in the plan, so that they are not to big when furled.

 

 

I will now put some diluted glue on the frayed corners so that I can cut them to shape with a scalpel. After that my new blocks will be attached to the forward edge (luff) of the main and mizzen sails as described before.

[bolin]

First sail attached to the mast and gaff boom. Now I will start to add the running rigging before I step the mast on the hull.

 

[bolin]

Summertime means lazy days at my shipyard. Other things, that are better suited for the short summer, such as sailing real ships, becomes more enjoyable.

 

I did however start on the crane for the quay. I have a few photos to work from, and I'm trying to build something that resembles these.

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

[bolin]

The crane is almost ready for mounting. I built a little shed for the hydraulic motor similar to the picture I showed above. The only thing remaining is the coal bucket and the line, but I think I will add it when I mount the crane on the quay.

 

The walls of the shed was made by gluing overlapping paper strips on cardboard.

 

I have also continued with the masts and sails. This is much more time consuming and tricky than I thought. Here is the mizen mast ready for stepping.

 

The main mast is almost done. I just need to attach the main sail and draw some more rigging lines. I have studied the plans and instructions, and photos I have found before, for some idea on how the main sail is attached. I have concluded that it should be tied to the mast and boom in its four corners. There are no indications of mast hoops or lashings to the mast. I'm a bit curious on how that would have worked in practice.

 

 

 

 

[egkb]

Love It !!   

 

Eamonn

[bolin]

Thanks!

[bolin]

It was raining today, so I got some time in the shipyard.

 

A milestone passed. The first mast is stepped!

 

 

In preparation for the main mast all fittings has finally been glued to the deck, as they will be harder to add when the shrouds and all other lines has been tied. The only things still remaining are the davits and the boat.

 

I also decided to change the method of attaching the dead eyes. I replaced the rather thick line I used before. Instead I clamped a steel wire around and made a small hook.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

[egkb]

Very real feel about this .. the cargo in the hold and the tarp pulled back really add to this, not to mention the partially stowed sail !

 

She should look great in the diorama..

 

All The Best

 

Eamonn

[bolin]

Thanks Eamonn!

 

Today I stepped the main mast. I felt some trepadation for this step as there is just a small surface at the foot of the mast. The risk of misalignment is rather high. The kit was not constructed with any hole or support for the mast. Maybe I should have added one myself to be on the safe side. What I did was putting epoxy glue on the foot and then just held the mast in place with my hands until the glue cured.

 

I also managed to find some small test clips for electronics. The common type are larger than these, so I was happy to get the last ones from the store. They immediately proved handy and excellent for clamping the rigging threads so they can be seized.

 

Cheers

[bolin]

I was right in my concerns regarding stepping the main mast. The day before yerseterday it almost came loose while I was tying the rigging lines. I put some generous amount of epoxy glue around the base and hope that it will be enough. I recon that I can hide the glue splotches with some rope coils at the base of the mast. After that I lost the enthusiasm for finishing the rigging, so that will need to wait for a few days.

 

Instead I have started with a plank fence for the back side of the quay. Its made of balsa sticks that have been dipped in a solution of steel wool in vinegar.

 

 

I have also continued with the inside of the boat. Fiddly work, but it also goes quickly with such small dimensions and such a well designed kit.

 

 

[bolin]

The boat is now complete.

 

Before I mount it on the davits I will paint the outside of the hull. For one thing I could have made a better job planking it, but I also think that the original boat was white. I have not been able to wind to many pictures of it, but this postcard shows a white boat behind Will.

 

I'm also come to the final parts of rigging the main mast, the ratlines. Thankfully there are only ratlines on one side, the side where the topsail is rigged.

 

I have also decided that I should rig the halyard and out haul for the foresail and jib sails, even though the sails themselves are not rigged.

[bolin]

Yesterday the ship itself was completed (except for the Everard company pendant...)

 

Now I can focus on finishing the quay, and after that decide how to display the diorama.

 

Some pictures (taken with my Nikon rather than the phone).

 

[bolin]

And the thread for mooring cables has finally arrived, so I can properly moor Will to the quay.

 

 

and that means that I can raise the Everard pennant

 

 

this is the last piece in the model!

 

I will post picture of the final look as soon as the glue as dried.

 

[ccoyle]

That is indeed very handsome!

[bolin]

...and now the glue has dried. Here are the pictures:

 

All in all I'm really happy with the result. The decision to add the quay may have made the build twice as long, but I feel that result was worth it. It also let me test out many new techniques, and also inspired me to try scratch builds for my next projects. The reward of seeing my own ideas come to fruition is sweet, even when they may not look as good as I first imagined.

 

Cheers

[BobG]

Outstanding, bolin!

[Kevin]

very nice indeed, Congratulations

 

[Ryland Craze]

Congratulations on completing your Will Everard.  The presentation of this model is really life like.

[Miffy]

Hi Bolin just want to say thanks for all your research on the Billings Will Everard. Like you I wanted the model as close as possible to the time everards used it commercially and like you I had come unstuck on the biillings sail plan and how it should be rigged. I thought I had found every on line picture of this barge but not enough to get it rigged correctly. All your pictures and instructions are new to me and have now given me enough data to dismantle some of the rigging I have done and complete it more to my satisfaction. I had actually pushed it aside for the last year waiting for inspiration.  Slightly different to your example as I believe the house colours were grey and pink and the barge name was in full with no windows in the stern if I can find how to post an image you can see my newbie efforts.

[bolin]

Thank you @Miffy! I'm glad that my build log has been helpful, as I have learned from many others here on MSW.

 

Your model looks very nice! You are definitely correct regarding the name on the transom. I think my coloration of the cabin was inspired by a picture of how she looks now. But when I look back on that photo, your interpretation whit the sides of the cabin in the same orange color as the coaming around the hatches and the bulwark is probably correct.

 

 

 

 

[chris watton]

Very nice, and very well executed. I will always have a fond affection for this kit, as it was my very first wooden boat kit I bought and made.