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The construction of the ships boats will take about two weeks of evening work. While they can be built at any time during the
construction of the model, they should not be fitted until after the rigging has been completed. This is to allow for the rigging
that belays to the skid beam assembly to be shipped at suitable positions without being fouled by the boats.
At Trafalgar (1805) there were four boats onboard Victory, they were as follows:
1.
1 x 34' Launch
2.
1 x 32' Barge
3.
1 x 28' Pinnace
4.
1 x 18' Cutter (Jolly boat)
Identify and label the bulkheads and plank termination patterns for the boats from the 1.5mm ply sheet. Likewise, identify and
label the keels, rudders, knees, bulkheads 6 for the barge and pinnace and the launch davit sides from the 1.5mm walnut sheet
and the barge, launch and pinnace floors from the 0.8mm ply sheet. Due to the small size of these boats many of the bulkheads
are very similar in size, they are however different and it is vitally important that all parts are clearly labelled in pencil and
should only be removed from their sheets when required.
Painting instructions for each boat can be found on pages 34, 36, 38 & 40. Referring to the paint schemes as you build each
boat, you will find it a great benefit to paint component parts accordingly prior to fitting.
General Construction:
Working on one boat at a time, remove the keel and bulkheads from their respective sheets. Using a needle file, gently clean
out the slots and insert the bulkheads into the keel. Where appropriate, remove the floor(s) from the 0.8mm ply sheet. Trace
around the floor(s) onto A4 paper, there is no need to trace the locations of the slots for the bulkheads, put the tracing(s) to one
side. Gently file out the slots in the floor and position it into the bulkheads until it is sitting flush to the keel. With the keel,
bulkheads and floor in position, check by eye that the bulkheads are aligned and sitting at 90 degrees to the keel. Gently tweak
them until you are satisfied and then glue the bulkheads, keel and floor with PVA wood glue and leave to dry thoroughly.
When dry, identify the plank termination patterns and secure them in position with super glue.
Gently sand and bevel the bulkheads and plank termination patterns in the same manner as you did for Victory. Double
planking of the hull with 0.5x3mm walnut can now commence. As pins can not be used to hold the planks in place, they are
secured to the bulkheads with super glue. Use the glue sparingly as the area of the ply bulkheads above the floor has to be
removed on completion.
Note: The cutter bulkheads will all have to be removed completely after planking (using a pair of long nose pliers). The 1.5mm
walnut bulkheads 6 for the barge and pinnace are not removed at all. The 1.5mm ply bulkhead 1 for the pinnace should only
have the top stubs removed as shown (Fig 054). Likewise, the 1.5mm ply bulkheads 1 and 5 on the launch should only have
the top stubs removed.
Planking is carried out in exactly the same way as the main hull. Start planking at the top of the bulkheads and work your way
down to the keel. When the first planking is complete, give the shell a gentle rub down with a fine abrasive paper before
continuing with the second planking. Take your time and try to ensure no gaps are left between the planks. When complete,
brush on some watered down PVA wood glue over the entire outer hull to ensure all of the planks are bonded. Lightly sand the
outer hull until a smooth finish is obtained, any slight imperfections can be filled and re-sanded.
Cut out the tracings of the floors taken previously. These tracings should then be planked with 0.5x3mm walnut, start by
placing a strip down the middle of the tracing and work outward. Paper templates for the fore and aft decking of the launch
will need to be cut and planked in the same way, these decks run from bulkhead 1 forward (at the level determined by the keel
and bulkhead 1 after removal of the stubs), and from bulkhead 5 aft (at the level determined by the keel and bulkhead 5 after
removal of the stubs).
Note: All of the decks are single planked but, the area of the deck in front of thwart two and behind thwart seven on the barge
should be double planked with 0.5x3mm walnut (Fig 053 & Photo 051). The area in frond of thwart two and behind thwart
eight on the pinnace should be double planked with 0.5x3mm walnut (Fig 054 & Photo 054). With the floors planked and the
bulkhead stubs removed, they can be glued to the deck in the hull. If you prefer, the paper backing can be removed by lightly
soaking in water and rubbing.
The hull ribs are constructed from 0.5x3mm walnut cut to 0.5x1.5mm strips. Glue the ribs to the inside of the hull, their
locations should be measured from (Fig 52, 53, 54 & 55). The ribs can be made longer than required and then trimmed to be
flush to the top of the hull on completion.
With a pair of dividers, compass or similar mark a locating line for the 'rising plank' onto which the thwarts will sit. The
locating line should be 5mm down from the top of the hull for the launch and barge and 4mm down from the top of the hull for
the pinnace and cutter. With the line marked, fit the 'rising plank'. The 'rising plank is 1.5x1.5mm walnut (sanded to
1.5x1mm) for the barge, pinnace and cutter and 1x3mm walnut for the launch.
Ships Boats
©
2003 JoTiKa Ltd.
31
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