Prince de Neufchatel by Coyote_6 – Constructo – 1/58 scale - American privateer

[SaltyScot]

3 hours ago, Dr PR said:

7 in 36 = 11 degrees

7.5 in 36 = 11.8 degrees

 

That's better than my measurements from the small illustrations in the books.

 

Phil,

 

I am guessing these rake measurements are for the Prince? They don't apply to other 1812 built schooners, do they?

[Dr PR]

Mark,

 

I have no way to know if any other schooner did or did not have the same mast rake as the Prince.

 

As I said earlier, I examined plans and drawings for 17 Baltimore clippers and found the mast rakes to be:

 

Fore mast - 11.5 degrees average, with a range of 7-16 degrees

Main mast - 13.75 degree average, with a range of 8-22 degrees

 

So it is certainly possible that other schooners could have had the same rake as the Prince. The angles are close to the average for this type of vessel.

 

[SaltyScot]

8 hours ago, Dr PR said:

So it is certainly possible that other schooners could have had the same rake as the Prince. The angles are close to the average for this type of vessel.

 

Thank you, Phil,

 

Barring any other source of contradicting information, I will be adopting these measurements for my Lynx build. I truly appreciate your input, sir.

[Dr PR]

Salty,

 

Chapelle has a good description of the Lynx in The Search For Speed Under Sail (pages 215-218). There is a full page plan drawing on page 217, and a full page sail plan on page 219. He says the vessel did not have an extreme sail plan.

 

From the drawing I estimate that the rake of the fore mast was 11.5 degrees and the main mast is 13.5 degrees, both relative to the water line.

[SaltyScot]

59 minutes ago, Dr PR said:

From the drawing I estimate that the rake of the fore mast was 11.5 degrees and the main mast is 13.5 degrees, both relative to the water line.

 

Once again, I appreciate your help Phil. I have a few books on the 1812 era vessels that should be arriving today (see image below). The one you mention above is not among them, I will have to go and look for that one. I know for sure that the Lynx will not be my last Baltimore Clipper/Schooner build. I love these boats!

 

 

@coyote_6, Sorry we are taking up your blog with this discussion sir  

 

 

[Dr PR]

Steve,

 

I guess we have gotten off track here. But for all Baltimore Clipper and topsail schooner fans, I should advise getting Chapelle's The Baltimore Clipper. It may well be the definitive book on the subject.

 

And now we return to the scheduled programming ....

[Coyote_6]

@Dr PR  Like they say - "Godfather of Schooner Rigging".

 

Sorry Phil, I can't resist!  But bro, your knowledge on these subjects is stellar and I am so glad you are here to share.

 

@SaltyScot  Mark, for me I learned early on that kit plans are not the end all be all of what a ship was or should be (especially Constructo's plans). I treasure the shipbuilding library I have been assembling, and many informative books can be had used on amazon or Abe's for a pittance.  The Search for Speed Under Sail Phil references above is a great resource to check out for yourself.  The Lynx is just an amazing subject - I would recommend running down some old resources on your own to get a feel for here design/history - it is one of my favorite parts of this build to date.  Kind of like a nautical Indiana Jones experience.  Chapelle's books (and a sharp eye at my modeling guild meeting) saved me from Constructo's bow sprit disaster after all.

 

As an aside, the paper and inks used to print books in the 50s to 70s is a treat to touch compared to some modern books.  

 

Recommendations include:

Generally anything by Chapelle on the topic of sailing vessels.

Ashley's Book of Knots (particularly the chapter on Marlinspike Seamanship).

Ship Model Builder's Assistant by Davis.

The Global Schooner by Marquardt (hat tip to @Dr PR for the recommendation)

 

[Coyote_6]

No problem from my end gents.  I love the discussion.

 

But I guess now I'll have to actually get something done on the Prince so we can get back to our regularly scheduled program. 

 

Baltimore Clippers/Schooners are an addiction methinks.

Edited 9 hours ago by Coyote_6

[Coyote_6]

(and note I was typing book recommendations WHILE you guys were discussing book recommendations so I think we're all on the same track here!!)

 

[SaltyScot]

2 hours ago, Coyote_6 said:

so I think we're all on the same track here!!)

 

3 hours ago, Dr PR said:

But for all Baltimore Clipper and topsail schooner fans, I should advise getting Chapelle's The Baltimore Clipper.

 

Gentlemen, I have started a thread here about the books we have been discussing and my answers to your most recent posts. That way, Steve can get back to his blog  

[Jsk]

I seem to recall reading that individual captains could alter the rake of the masts in order to get the best performance from the vessel--basically by altering where the center of force of the sail was located. Is that something that could be done at sea or would it need to be done in port? If so... doesn't that mean that the rake could vary during the life of the vessel?