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

[Coyote_6]

Bowsprit angle.  Shouldn't really be an issue.  Brought the PdN to the local club meeting and one of the pros says "are you sure that bowsprit angle is right?" (Thanks Mike!)

 

Of course it is.  I followed the Constructo plans.  See here - sheet 1,

7.5 degrees relative to the keel.

 

Oh, wait a minute.  Sheet 2 of the Constructo plans shows 11 degrees...

 

Alas, back to Chapelle.

 

"The History of American Sailing Ships" from 1935:  13.5 degrees.

 

"The Search for Speed Under Sail" from 1967: 14 degrees.

 

So off to make a 14 degree jig and praying I can get my bowsprit that high.

 

Oh Constructo...

 

 

(Good thing I didn't glue it in!)

[Coyote_6]

While reconstructing the structure around the bowsprit, I drilled the port and starboard hawse holes.  If I'm being honest I was just afraid to drill into the hull at this point.

 

 

 

 

Relocating the bowsprit mounting point (bitts?) from Constructo's to Chapelle's location.  (Did not need two extra holes in my deck planking, but in for a penny, in for a pound.)

 

 

 

Building out the bowsprit support structure.  We'll see if it's acceptable when filed/sanded.

 

 

 

Not gonna physically be able to make 14 degrees with the given rail height, so 12 degrees will have to do.  Noticeably better than 7.5 degrees though!

 

Edited June 12 by Coyote_6

[Coyote_6]

Bowsprit before:

 

Bowsprit after:

 

 

Grand difference.  I think it looks more elegant this way for sure.  The bowsprit bitts required two tries to get them squared up and a good tight fit.  Also fabricated the grates and belaying pin rail at the bow:

 

Painted, polished and assembled the pumps.  Mounted the pumps according to Chapelle/Royal Navy.  Constructo had them much farther aft.  So shiny!!

 

Thanks for looking.

Steve

Edited June 14 by Coyote_6