Made these Falls for the Davits for the Zodiac and Lifeboat in the secured position.

As I was sanding down the Yard for the Foresail, I realized that if I continue at this pace… which is to say will be about 1 Sail per day, I will be done in about 10 days. That is going at a pretty leisurely pace too and not rushing it.

I did have problems with the Yards. I could not seem to find an easy way to taper the Yards down from 6mm down to 3mm. I used my Wen Sander to get the initial 3mm, kind of like using a Pencil Sharpener. (which gives me an idea!?…) Anyway, after that, it’s all pretty much elbow grease with 120 Grit Sand Paper. I dare not go any courser. So, it takes quite a bit of sanding to get the wood down from 6mm to 3mm. I think I got it though. I just completed the first one, the Yard for the Foresail.

This Ship has a Gaff Rig Spanker on the Mizzenmast. I just completed it. The only thing left is some minor Tackle work on the Boom and that’s it.

Finally got the Flying Jib in. I was working on other things before getting around to sewing the Flying Jib and installing on the Forestay.

Also, I had to put an additional Block for the Flying Jib which the instructions never previously called for, which gave me the opportunity to use the Figure Eight Noose, which works fantastic for the Blocks.

From the Port Side –

From the Starboard Side –Closeup of the Bow Rigging –

Closeup of Belaying Pins where the Lines are tied off to –

I was just going through my The Ultimate Book of Everyday Knots and found this knot, the Figure of Eight Noose. It works fantastic for Blocks. If the Blocks should somehow fall out, which happens a lot since they’re so small, all you have to do is to loosen the noose and put the Block back in.

Here are 2 Blocks that I just tied using this knot. Probably the best knot to use for this purpose.

I’m not sure what this Bar is called. On this ship, it sticks out to the side about at Midship and sticking out on the both side of the Stern.

I already made one and I’m going to be making the next 4.

What happened was, I lost one of the parts that came with the kit. So, I scratch built one out of a long Eye Pin and I drilled a hold down through the middle of a Dowel.

The one I completed is this –

I started off with an Eye Pin –

I drilled down the middle of the Dowel –

Then I used my Sander to make a Cone Shape.

Then I used my Miter Saw to cut an end off –

Then I slide it into the Pin and Superglue it –

The rest is putting the paint on, attaching the Chain and drilling holes for the Eye Pins to hold the Chain in place.

Just using this Magnet as a holder for painting.

I’ve consulted some friends who are into Sailing and they told me that they’ve never seen a rig like this before.

In the instructions, it looks like this.

It’s where the Stays come back from the Sails and then go through the Blocks that are attached to it and swings back in to get tied off on the Belaying Pins.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to make these Yards for a few days now. I think that part of the fun with this hobby is trying to figure things out and how to make things.

I have a few problems.

The first is the tapering of the Dowels from a 6mm down to 2mm (or 3mm). I’ve tried several approaches and still haven’t really come up with a way to do it right.

The only sure way that I’ve found is to use sand paper and go up and down carefully to get the taper. This requires lots of elbow grease.

I’m almost finished with my first Yard. This Yard is for the Fore-Royal Sail. The topmost Yard for the Foremast.

The instructions called for 3 line each side coming down off the Yard to make the Foot Ropes. However, I only used 2 on each side with this one since it was the smallest Yard.

It wasn’t too bad getting through the Blocks. I had a little trouble with the Blocks coming down off the Sail but I fixed it. The instructions called for the Stays to the Blocks as being way too long. I cut the Stays the same length for both sides and made the Running Rigging as different lengths to give it the illusion of being under sail.

I just finished the Ratlines. I realized that this is the last time that I’ll see this Ship without the Sails because I’m getting ready to add the Fore-Topmast Staysail, Jib and Flying Jib right now, along with the Running Rigging.

Here’s some pictures of it as it is now.

I’ve been working on these Ratlines for what seems like forever, but it’s only been my third day of working on them. At least I can turn on some Classical Music and just work on them.

The only time that I have “waiting time” is when I make the hardened String by tying a string between 2 posts and applying Superglue to it.

That’s what those 2 Posts are doing behind the Ship. I’m waiting for it to dry right now.

Pin Rail attached to the Ratlines going up the Mizzenmast. Also, those Shackles are Scratch made. I made them out of Wire and Shrink tubing.

I’m afraid the Futtock Shrouds were a bit of a fail. I’ll try better with the HMS Surprise. They should be straight because there’s supposed to be pressure on them. Oh well… live and learn.

View from the top.