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The positioning of the catheads is critical to ensure that the headrails and bow chase port doors etc. all fit and align correctly
(Photo 029), it is important therefore to consider the following points during this phase of construction, (the whole assembly
should be dry fitted to check alignment first):
1.
The cathead should be fitted as close as possible to, but without fouling, the third from forward timberhead
(fourth including the knighthead).
2.
The aft face of the cathead, from the point where it crosses the bulwark passing outside of the hull, should be
positioned just in front of the forward edge of the bow chase port.
3.
It is worth fitting the forward door of the bow chase port, including hinges, to ensure the correct positioning of
the cathead, cathead knee and cathead knee continuation.
4.
With the forward door of the bow chase port fitted, the cathead knee continuation piece should fit flush against
the underside of the brass sheer rail and run down as close as possible to the forward door of the bow chase port
such that it is virtually flush against the door when open.
5.
Ensuring the above points 1 & 2 are met, the positioning of the cathead knee continuation piece in relation to the
bow chase port should also provide a datum for the correct positioning of the cathead knee and cathead above.
Identify and remove the bow chase port doors (172) (these can either be fitted finally now or at a later stage of your choosing,
but the forward door must be temporarily fitted now to aid the alignment of the cathead assembly). Identify the door hinges
(238) and glue them into position as shown (Fig 003). The hinges should fit approximately 1mm from the edge of the door
with the hinge pintle bent back to 90 degrees. The inner face and the edges of the door are painted red ochre, the hinges are
matt (metal) black. The outer face of the door remains natural and should be varnished to seal. Glue the doors into position, the
door itself is glued into the recess of the gunport with the pintles of the hinges glued to the ships outer hull.
Identify and remove the cathead knee continuation piece (130), from the 2mm walnut sheet. Offer the cathead knee
continuation piece into position tight up against the underside if the brass sheer rail and as close against the bow chase port
door as possible.
The inboard face (that which sits against the hull) of the cathead knee continuation piece will require slight sanding to
introduce the curvature of the bow so that it will lie flush against the hull. When the cathead knee continuation piece is finally
fitted, the "arm", leading forward, should run virtually parallel with the brass sheer rail. The outboard face of the cathead knee
continuation piece should be painted French blue, the remainder should be left natural but varnished to seal.
Identify and remove the cathead knee (92) from the 3mm walnut sheet. Offer the knee into position above the cathead knee
continuation piece; it will be necessary to bevel the vertical section, inner and outer faces, in order to sit with the inner face
flush against the hull side and the outer face to follow the contour of the brass sheer rail that it sits upon. (The knee should fit
from the underside of the cathead, when fitted, to the top edge of the brass sheer rail).
When you are happy with the fit of the knee, the outboard face should be painted French blue, the remainder should be left
natural but varnished to seal.
Identify and remove the catheads (91) from the 3mm walnut sheet and offer them into position against the cathead knee and as
shown on Plan Sheet 1, 'Hull detail'. In order to allow the cathead to sit tight against the inboard forecastle bulwark a small
amount will need to be filed out of the notch in the cathead to the same angle as the bulwark. When you are happy with the fit
of the catheads they should be removed and before finally fixing in place you will need to drill a number of sheave holes and
fit a cathead cleat.
Using Plan Sheet 4 for reference, the cathead cleats (1 per cathead) are made up from 1.5x1.5mm walnut with two notches
filed out as shown. They are fitted to the after face of the catheads, located as shown.
Again using Plan Sheet 4 for reference, drill four 0.6mm holes, as shown, in the end of the cathead (top to bottom), these will
simulate the sheaves and are used when rigging the cat falls at a later stage. A fifth hole also needs to be drilled part way
through the cathead, from below, just behind (inboard of) the four holes already drilled, this is to take a copper eyelet which
should be fitted now. The whole cathead assembly is painted dull black.
Locate the cathead decoration (lions head) (266), this should be painted gold and glued to the outer face of the cathead now.
When you are satisfied with the fit of each component and, when positioned, they run in line as one whole assembly, they can
finally be secured into place.
The Catheads
©
2004 JoTiKa Ltd.
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