Swift 1805 by SUBaron - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - 1:50 - first build - 2016 kit version

[SUBaron]

Slowly wobbling back to the helm. After viewing some period sails, and online techniques, I decided to dye the sails with a black tea process. This included sprinkling some tea directly onto the sails, and then bundling them to result in random patterns of dye (referred to as "whimsy"). Hopefully, the areas with creases from the bundling will result in more pronounced coloring. Once bundled, into the tea they went for an hour. I will leave them to soak overnight, rinse them tomorrow, give them a very diluted vinegar/water bath to help the dye set, then rinse them heavily again. 

Edited May 20, 2022 by SUBaron

[SUBaron]

I’m happy with the results. I steamed the bulk of the wrinkles out, but may do some spot ironing to remove a few more. 

[allanyed]

SUbaron

Note that tea has a pH of about 5 thus on the acid side of neutral and the sails will degrade more quickly compared to sails not stained with tea.  For the future, consider that cloth sails cannot be made to scale nor can the sewing of the seams of the panels and edges be to scale for the more common scales of 1:48 and smaller. 

 

If you wish, you can research a lot of information on alternative non-woven materials such as silkspan and associated acrylic coatings in  many discussions here at MSW.  There is an $8 booklet on making sails by David Antscherl available at Seawatch books that shows how to make excellent looking sails that are not out of scale and any color you want without worry of using an acidic stain like tea or coffee.

Allan

Edited May 22, 2022 by allanyed

[Oldsalt1950]

It is the tannins in tea that stain the sails not the tea. The acid is neutralized once the sails are removed from the tea and rinsed. If you have any concerns about the sails degrading you can go to a pet supply store and purchase a simple aquarium buffer solution that neutralizes acid in water. A simple aquarium water test kit( get the strips) can be used for this purpose. Test your tap water, record the reading, then place the sails in the water and test again to see the difference, then follow the buffer agent directions to neutralize if needed. 

Edited May 22, 2022 by Oldsalt1950

[SUBaron]

@allanyed @Oldsalt1950 Thanks gents, for your interesting input! I had given some thought to the idea of "aging" the sails. I read a little about pilot boats. They were considered very utilitarian workhorses of their day. As such, even newly launched, they may have been assigned "used" sails. And if not new, their owner would likely not have prioritized new sails, especially given the low range of duty these vessels would have. While I didn't want the sails to look new, I didn't intend for them to be as aged as they came out either (I like how they look, but it's a bit much for this model). I think perhaps a mere dunking to an hour in the tea may have been sufficient. As for the degradation factor. These conversations fascinate me. However, I believe that they are likely better served for the expert craftsman on this site whose end product may well end up sold, in a museum, as part of a serious collection, etc. As for this Swift, it's my first build and I'm not building it for posterity. As an analyst by trade, I'm actually quite fascinated to experience, in real time, my sails, rigging, or anything else, actually begin to degrade over the decades ahead. I'll be quite thrilled in 30 years to see my sails hanging in tatters, as though having been through a hurricane.  I mean this comment sincerely, and not as a put down. I have great respect for the expert level of craftsmanship presented on this site, and it fascinates me to learn of the concerns about beeswax, CA glue, high PH levels of tea, etc. I never would've given these things a thought had I not learned about them here (ok, well, the CA thing I was aware of. I use very little of it due to it's limitations in handling torque). 

 

I find that many of these questions lead to more questions that can't be answered without actual scientific study. For example, does decaf tea change the PH level - what about adding salt to the solution, then rinsing? How does household humidity effect the process...the annual cycle of AC and Heat.. sunlight...cigar smoke - human oils (from handling - as every visitor has wanted to do)? All of these things can effect the degradation process. And some, possibly can counteract it. It all makes for interesting conversation (though unfortunately, not to anyone in my house 😁)

 

Cheers!

Edited May 26, 2022 by SUBaron

[SUBaron]

Sails have begun. Some minor trimming still needed.

Edited May 31, 2022 by SUBaron

[Oldsalt1950]

Looking good.

[SUBaron]

1 hour ago, Oldsalt1950 said:

Looking good.

Thanks @Oldsalt1950!

[SUBaron]

Updated sails pics. Prepping the sails. 

Edited June 16, 2022 by SUBaron

[SUBaron]

…more

[SUBaron]

…almost near the finish line!!

[Oldsalt1950]

Looking really sharp. I like the little bit of discoloration in the sails. 

[SUBaron]

14 hours ago, Oldsalt1950 said:

Looking really sharp. I like the little bit of discoloration in the sails. 

Thank You! 

[SUBaron]

Almost there! Rope coils, Anchors, nameplate, flag and detailing remain: 

[SUBaron]

Prepping the anchors. I used a buntline hitch, and common whipping.

[SUBaron]

Sails and a few other Questions: As I'm rapidly wrapping up the Swift, I have a few questions;

1) Should I have ironed the sails more? After the dying process, they were very wrinkled. I steamed them, but in retrospect, I think a little ironing may have helped. How do you feel they present?

2) Anchors: Does anyone have a good idea of how to stow the anchors? The model shows them hanging. They look a little silly that way - like they fell off (though it gives guests something to tinker with). I think the scale of the ship, coupled with my novice ability limit the type of rack or storage device I can add - but I’ll likely give a good idea a try.

3) My remaining work is mainly tidying up the lines. My question; should I go with rope coils, or hanks, or a combination of both? I wanted to go with both but historical accuracy notwithstanding, the ship design did not include any belaying pins, and the scale and I think my limited ability make me hesitant to insert any (again, I may attempt a good idea). I always felt that rope coils looked very cool, but aren't very practical. They'll stay wet, and get in the sailor's way - good for harbor I suppose, but my ship wouldn't be under full sail in the harbor. Lastly, I wanted to add restraints to the rum (yes, on my ship, they have plenty of water, these are rum barrels 😁) barrels, but can't figure out where to attach the ropes and I don't want to add any eye hooks that people would trip over. 

 

I included pics of the anchor and current temporary rope stow, as well as the barrels. 

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by SUBaron
Typo & Text

[Oldsalt1950]

The sails could have probably stood a little ironing. For the barrels, put a small eyelet into each side of the racks they are laying in and then tie them down. Nothing will be on the deck for anyone to trip over. Just lash the line around the barrels and through the eyelets and tie them off. For the anchors you could add two additional large cleats attached to the false ribs on the forward bulkheads and tie them up to them. I'd go with hanks of rope not coils. Pilot boats were usually very busy. 

[SUBaron]

Great ideas @Oldsalt1950. I forgot about using the spare parts! What an oversight. Glad I asked and thanks! I totally agree with you regarding the coils. I’ll have to see if I can fashion some belaying pins. Looks like I may not be almost done after all! 😂 

[Oldsalt1950]

Glad I could help.

[SUBaron]

Fo some reason, I’m really dragging out the final touches…

Rope coils are complete. I made a little plastic jig/coiler that I saw on this site - I cant recall whose it was to give them credit. It’s very useful and made the coils a breeze. 

Edited July 6, 2022 by SUBaron

[SUBaron]

I decided to mix the coils with some hanks. I like them a little on the disheveled side. The jig worked great.