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

[Coyote_6]

Heave a pawl an' heave away

Weigh hey, roll and go!

The anchor’s on board and the cable’s all stored 

Rollickin’ randy dandy-O!  

 

Only took two-ish weeks (!).

 

Starboard Bower.

 

And Larboard Bower.

 

 

Cathead line...

 

Captain Amati is pleased.

 

Cables.

 

And in her element while working on the starboard anchor.

 

 

Moving on to the bowsprit in accordance with Darcy Lever's Sheet Anchor.

 

 

Edited May 18 by Coyote_6

[Glen McGuire]

53 minutes ago, Coyote_6 said:

Captain Amati is pleased.

He should be.  That is extraordinary work, Steve.
 

[SaltyScot]

 

3 hours ago, Coyote_6 said:

The anchor’s on board and the cable’s all stored 

Very precise work there, matey. Tell me, how did you get the anchor cables and cathead lines to hang so nicely? That is a trick that eludes me right now.

[Coyote_6]

On 5/18/2025 at 12:23 PM, SaltyScot said:

how did you get the anchor cables and cathead lines to hang so nicely?

Thanks for the kind words Mark.  I am no expert, but my first task was to get the lines hanging equal and straight and glue them to the cathead and block and dry.  Don't get your lines crossed up when rigging the block - inboard line to inboard holes, outboard to outboard.  Forward to forward holes, aft to aft holes.  Hope that makes sense?

 

 

The rope in this case is Syren Ultra .025 inch (synthetic).

 

But the key is to get the rope glued to the sides of the block so you don't have the line bulging out in all directions.  I used a little toothless alligator clamp to pinch the lines around the block while they were drying and that also left the nice inwards facing curves at the top of the block.

 

 

 

When you hook the block to the anchor, I used a light pressure on a pin vise handle to coax a gentle arc in the lines.

 

 

Finally, I feel there is a natural order to which lines are outboard and which are inboard.  You may have to change their order in the arc to get the best lay?

 

 

Hope that helps you somewhat.  If I couldn't get them straight dry I might try dampening the runs slightly.  But use care if you secured the block with diluted white glue as water will release that bond.  Definitely try dry first.

Edited May 21 by Coyote_6

[Jolly Jo]

That's excellently crafted, Steve, bravo!

[petervisser]

Thanks Steve, for the mini tutorial on how to stow an anchor. I was pondering how I might mount the anchors on my own model, and presto, I ran across your build log.

Cheers, Peter

[SaltyScot]

15 hours ago, Coyote_6 said:

Hope that helps you somewhat.

 

It most certainly does. Thank yoi!!

[Coyote_6]

20 hours ago, Glen McGuire said:

That is extraordinary work, Steve.

Thank you Glenn.  That means a lot as I have been a fan of your work for a while.  Thanks for looking in!!

[Coyote_6]

I have to admit to being a bit lost at sea for the last 6 weeks.  Spars and rigging are a far greater challenge then I expected.  With no plans I am floundering.  I have resolved to rig what I understand and hold off on what i don't.

 

An example of an issue is the jibboom inhaul and outhaul.  I know they exist and were used.   Do they stay rigged or only when they are needed?

 

Serving.  So much is served.  At 1/58 scale do I need to serve the lines for my first build, or is an appropriate diameter line 98% of the battle?  

 

Anyway, I have built out the bowsprit according to Lever.  Spritsail yard according to Chapelle.  So a little progress anyway.

(Open to any thoughts here!)

 

Gammoning the bowsprit and rigging the bobstays is coming next. 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 7 by Coyote_6

[catopower]

Steve,

 

I love your model and it's stylish appearance.

 

Prince de Neufchatel was always one of my favorite subjects. Hope to build her someday. In the meantime, I'll just stare at yours!

[Dr PR]

The jib boom inhauls and outhauls were rigged only when needed. I put the necessary hardware (eye bolts and sheaves) in place but left off the rigging.

 

Serving is just a matter of choice for a model. I think most people do not add it on smaller scale models. If you are anal retentive I suppose you must do it. However, if you are making this build to learn about rigging details, adding the serving will educate you!

 

The gammoning for the jib boom is called a crupper. That's a bit of trivia I'll bet you didn't know! I guess it sort of serves the same purpose as the crupper on a saddle.

 

Rigging is complicated and takes a lot of planning. Even so you will occasionally find two lines crossed and chafing and need to reroute one or both. But the really trying part is when you have a moment's distraction and you bump something with your hand or catch a shirt sleeve on a spar and break something. Two steps forward and one step back. Plan on it!

 

If you rig the model without sails it will be a relatively simple (but slow) task. Add the sails and the work doubles or triples.

 

If you are in doubt about how to rig a line ask. There are many folks here who are happy to help.

Edited July 7 by Dr PR

[Coyote_6]

@Dr PR Thanks Phil!  I did not know that it was called a crupper - fun fact.

 

Thanks on inhaul and outhaul.  Unfortunately Albatros didn't have a spritsail yard so I am winging it so to speak.

 

I think my biggest trouble is Lever or Marquardt will show something (spritsail yard footropes as topic of the day) - Chapelle's "plan" does not.  Does that mean she didn't have spritsail yard footropes, or did Chapelle/RN know they were always there so did not note them?

 

Slow and steady wins the race here.

I'll be in touch 🤣🤣🤣!

[Coyote_6]

@catopower  Thanks Clare.  I am glad you like it.  There are so many choices (recently the all black bowsprit with the natural red wood bits - just went with it) and I just hope they are cohesive in the end.  A fun build though for sure.

[Dr PR]

Steve,

 

When in doubt go with Lever. He wrote the book in the period that the Prince was sailing, so it is a good source. Unfortunately, he doesn't say much about fore-and-aft rigs.

 

Lennarth Petersson's "Rigging Period Fore-and Aft Craft" has a good section on topsail schooner rigging a lot like the Prince. Unlike most books he does show where the lines were belayed.

 

I also found the instructions on the Internet for several topsail schooner kits. The full plans are not available, but the instructions often show how to rig the bowsprit, yards and other things.

Edited Tuesday at 06:41 AM by Dr PR

[Coyote_6]

Bowsprit gammoning and frapping turns per Lever.  Let me know if I have issues friends - I think corrections will be more difficult the farther we proceed!

 

Port:

 

Starboard:

 

Frapping turns:

 

I think bobstays (bobstay and bobstay preventer???) are next on the list.

 

Thanks for looking in and any comments in advance!

 

[Dr PR]

Steve,

 

I think you may have a problem here. You seem to be worrying about it too much!

 

Your work looks really good!

[Coyote_6]

@Dr PR  Thanks Phil.  If I am being honest, I may be a bit overwhelmed with this new first-timer task!🤪

 

There's like 20 lines at the bowsprit, I'm referencing like 3 different books and Chapelle's sail plan, and just trying to get it right.  I may be a bit tightly wound!! 🤣

 

Thankful for the help from you guys.  Makes all the difference.

 

I think it's the eating an elephant analogy.  How do you eat an elephant?  Focus on 1 bite (line) at a time.  I am learning and having fun, so there is that! 

[PaddyO]

Hi Steve,  your work is looking great! The bowsprit gammoning is really well done. 

 

Paddy 

[Chuck Seiler]

Steve,

    The gammoning looks great.  I am glad you chose NOT to serve it.  I agree with Phil, detail is great, but there comes a time when 'close enough' is good enough.  If you worry about absolute authenticity, you will never finish. 

 

    What's a pirate's favourite letter?

[Coyote_6]

@Chuck Seiler  Thanks Chuck for the vote of confidence.  And we DO want to finish at some point!  I'm glad folks were willing to discuss both sides of the "to serve or not to serve" question.  There are always different approaches.

 

[SaltyScot]

6 hours ago, Dr PR said:

I think you may have a problem here. You seem to be worrying about it too much!

 

My thoughts exactly. Don't beat yourself up about it, Steve. For the record, I thing your gammoning looks just fine!

[Coyote_6]

Thanks guys.  As my first piece of spar rigging I was a little nervous.  Appreciate the input.

 

"Rigged" the first bobstay deadeye as well.  (May add a couple cleats for this one?)  Steady as she goes then.

Edited yesterday at 01:57 AM by Coyote_6

[Chuck Seiler]

Steve,

    The shrouds and stays are where you will want to try your serving techniques.  Get with OtherSteve regarding his rigging project.  He did a good job in serving IIRC.