18th Century Longboat by Bob Riddoch - FINISHED

[Chuck Seiler]

Bob,

    It appears that you are running your horse under the tiller bar, per the original instructions.  Is that correct?  ("Correct" that you are running it that way, not "correct" right versus wrong).

Edited September 28, 2013 by Chuck Seiler

[Chuck]

It is absolutely correct historically.....

 

Take a look at the contemporary model images I posted.

 

[Chuck Seiler]

We talked about this at length at one of our community build meetings.  While the contemporary model may have had it, we wondered at the actual functionality of it.  I can see, while coming about in a stiff wind, Helmsman Hewitt goes over the side after being hit by the boom while trying to bejigger the tiller bar.  I sailed in small boats (a little) many years ago.  I would have found it a problem trying to remove or shift the tiller bar/handle at the same time I was trying to tack or come about.  Of course back then I found it a problem coming about and not getting hit by the boom WITHOUT worrying about the tiller bar. 

 

Perhaps some better small boat sailers/sailors than I can opine.  I just know Bob's not going to win many America's Cup races with that rig.

[Chuck]

There are too many contemporary models that show this feature for it to be incorrect.  In fact,  You would be hard pressedto find any where the the horse goes over the tiller.  I have only seen one..  The way I understand it,  this is the way they did it up to around 1780.   And after that they switched to make the horse go over the tiller.  Prior to that it was done both ways.  

 

It is odd but I find it hard to believe every contemporary model is incorrect.

[BobF]

I have a theory about the location of the horse on these boats.  If someone else has already mentioned this, I apologize for missing it.  It has to do with the fact that long boats were used to help retrieve a ship's anchor when the vessels were getting underway.  This required the use of an anchor davit that was rigged over the stern.  If the horse was located above the tiller bar, it would have impeded the use of this davit.  If you look closely at Chuck's photos, you can see a notch in the transom, where the davit would have been mounted when being used.  One of my reference books states that these long boats were designed to do many tasks, and, as a result, they did not do any of them well.  Captains, supposedly, did not like these craft.  The horse arrangement may have been one of the reasons.

 

BobF

[BRiddoch]

I did in fact run the tiller over the horse as per the instructions.  Bob has given the best reason yet.

 

            Bob R.

[Chuck Seiler]

Sounds reasonable to me.  Now that I think about it, how much time would be spent under oar vice under sail?  I would think most of the work would be done under oar.  The sail would be used for long distance point a to b.  Probably not a lot of maneuvering required.

[BobF]

Chuck,

 

I agree.  Locating the horse under the tiller bar was probably considered "The Lesser of Two Weevils."  (I couldn't resist writing that. )

 

BobF

[Chuck Seiler]

  ouch

[BRiddoch]

Between a trip to Japan and a trip to Bremerton, WA., I was able to complete the main mast and the bowsprit.  I used Chucks new 1/8" single blocks on the mast.  It is also my little habit to include a piece of swiss pear into my models.  Can you find it?

 

     Bob R.

[Shazmira]

Clean and crisp Bob, and the iron work looks great! hmmm guess I should have looked at your pics before I put my mast on

[BRiddoch]

Thanks Robbyn.

 

     Bob R.

[Chuck Seiler]

Mast foot?

[BRiddoch]

You are correct Chuck.

 

     Bob R.

[Anja]

Hello Bob,

 

Happy birthday. Have a great day.

 

Anja

[mtaylor]

Happy Birthday, Bob.  And here's wishing you many more.

[BRiddoch]

Thanks for the Birthday wishes!

 

       Bob R.

[cookster]

Happy belated birthday Bob!

[BRiddoch]

Thanks Wes.

 

 Bob R.

[the learner]

Bob, great job! I liked your paint scheme, the red really delinates the construction of the boat.

 

I did not see any one in the group talk about the application of the frieze decal other that you used a diffrent one than was sent with the kit. was this a decal or just paper glued on?

[BRiddoch]

Thanks Learner. Chuck was kind enough to post reduced freizes in the topics section.  Please see link below.

 

   Bob R.

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/858-longboat-friezes-reduced/

Edited December 5, 2013 by BRiddoch

[BRiddoch]

I have been lacking in my updates!  I am involved in the final steps of rigging but I wanted to provide a few photos of what I have been doing.  Built the boom and gaff using provided materials in the kit.  Pretty straight forward and fairly easy to install and rig. 

Built the chainplates and deadeyes using the CA method that Chuck describes in his instructions.  Seem to come out pretty good.

 

   Bob R.

[Chuck Seiler]

Bob,

    Looking good.   I'll see you Tuesday.

[BRiddoch]

After making a very simple deadeye claw, I started rigging the shrouds.

 

         Bob R.

[BRiddoch]

Shrouds complete.

 

       Bob R.

[3sheets10]

That is an excellent idea for a mount. Everything looks great!

[BRiddoch]

    Finished the rigging tonight.  Since last post I have rigged the backstays, fore stay, staysail halyard, jib sail outhaul with traveler ring, jib sail halyard, and the flag halyard.  Looks like all I have remaining is to complete the oars and grapnel.  I have some rope coils to make also. 

    Here are some pics.

 

        Bob R.

[mtaylor]

Simply beautiful, Bob.  I like the display stand for this boat.

[samueljr]

Bob, really nice work on the whole project

 

Sam 

[Paddy]

Outstanding. Well done!