Gretel by Bryan Woods - FINISHED - Mamoli - 1:54

Michael Mash · October 30

Very nice work. Good looking Gretel.

Mike

Bryan Woods · October 31

I tied as much as I thought I could on the main sail, while it was on the work bench.

hopefully the next post I’ll have it raised.

I do need to take some action on the pedestals before I get carried away with the sails.

Bryan Woods · November 1

So far so good, I got the main sail raised. I need to secure it to the mast.

I drilled the keel and put brass rods in them. They stuck down further than the kit base. I glued the base to the old pram building board and drilled holes for the rods so it could set all the way down.

That gave me room to tape the leads to the board and tie them off later. I have marked each line with its destination. I’m sure there will be some confusion later, but maybe not as much:-)

Nirvana · November 2

Bryan, your Gretel is looking great.

Bryan Woods · November 4

After raising the main sail I did a look over, then I went back and fixed all the lines that twisted around something. I thought I better get the lower yard for the top sail next. That’s where I needed an eyebolt in front of the of the mast, that I forgot. I drilled it on an angle and didn’t even have to bend it. I’m not going to glue it until I see that the yard and the top sail is going to work.

Here’s the eyebolt. I need to decide how I’m going to tie it off. It’s just run through and taped off to the building board now.

IMG_6244.jpeg.98ab2a3863ae90d025a5a47618a125ff.jpeg

Bryan Woods · November 10

The next thing I worked on was securing all the lines on the main sail and lower yard of the top sail.

These rigging tools were super helpful tying the lines to the pins.

After that went the jib sail.

It was laced to the four stay and the anchors hung.

next, I’ll raise the middle jib sail.

Knocklouder · November 10

Looking very nice Bryan, :cheers:

Bob M.

Nirvana · November 10

Bryan, Gretel didn't you long to build. Nice outcome.
I have some models to choose from.

Bryan Woods · November 10

12 minutes ago, Nirvana said:

Gretel didn't you long to build.

Well, after I put on my big boy pants and got started back it did seem to go quickly and I might add it has been enjoyable and give me well taken experience.

Bryan Woods · November 11

The last few days has resulted in a few more raised sails. The middle jib sail and the top sail.

The jib sail tied off on the stay at the bowsprit.

And ran through a block at the mast.

The top sail has a lot more going on. It took quite a bit of time deciding how I was going to go about it. Here it is ready to go up.

I started by setting the location of the block that holds the center of the yard.

the line through that block tie off on cleats on either side. I just taped them for now.

I got it up, now comes the part that takes a light touch, which for me is only a short amount per day.

After this gets tied off, I’ll be getting the flying jib up.

Bryan Woods · Wednesday at 02:50 AM

After I finished the last of the rigging I saw that the flag provided was not very manageable. I used the paper the sails were made from to make a new one, I could make wave. Misting it with water and diluted PVA and folding it in wire until it dries works great.

I glued it on the rope before I tied it to the mast.

Here’s the finished results.

Now I just need to get it on a base of some kind. It’s going to be simple. I’m thinking an oval maybe.

I picked up a 1/4” thick board of wenge wood (so they tell me). But I have no way to cut it. I’ve got a friend in mind that may do it for me:-)

I’ve got two weeks to get it done so I can carry it Thanksgiving weekend to my nephew. He wants it in his office at Auburn University. Here’s some shots with it still in the building cradle.

JacquesCousteau · Wednesday at 04:37 AM

Really nice work, it looks great!

Gregory · Wednesday at 01:16 PM

Great work on the flag!

Bryan Woods · 2025-11-23T10:54:16Z

I got the oval shape cut from the wood board I purchased. Glued two wooden pedestals on it, but wasn’t quite sure the wood glue was enough. I flipped it over and drillled from the bottom. Then inserted some brass rods. I’m going to stick some felt over them to cover the holes.

Well that brings this build to a close. The Saturday after Thanksgiving I’ll be taking it halfway to its destination in Auburn, Alabama. My nephew is putting it in his office. Whether he likes it or not, that’s him and his family sailing:-) Thanks for all the views, likes and comments.