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You may find it easier, to avoid turning the round dowel into an oval dowel when tapering, by using a David plane, draw knife
or similar as follows:
1.
Slice the dowel (running with the grain), from a round at the start point of the taper to a square at the end of the taper.
2.
Repeat this process so that the dowel runs from round at the start of the taper to an eight sided polygon at the end of
the taper.
3.
Repeat step two as desired so that the dowel runs from a round at the start of the taper to a 16 or 32 sided polygon at
the end, of a diameter marginally more than that required.
4.
Using medium sandpaper, followed by fine sandpaper the taper can be gently sanded round along its length.
Using Plan Sheet 4 for reference, construct the bowsprit to the dimensions shown. Using Plan Sheet 4, 'Bowsprit bees' for
reference, fit the bees and sheaves (179 & 122). You should note that the profiled 'sheave' slot of the bee sheaves (122) should
be positioned against the bowsprit and at the forward slot (for the starboard) and after slot (for the port) of the bees, the
opposite hole is therefore obscured by the opposite end of the sheave. The spritsail yard saddle (136), the jibboom heel chock
(137) and stop cleats constructed from 1.5x1.5mm walnut should also now be fitted.
Mark onto the bowsprit (and main lower mast when constructed), the positions as shown on Plan Sheet 4 of the wooldings and
woolding hoops. The woolding hoops are made from black cartridge paper which should be cut into strips of approximately
1.25mm wide and 100mm long. Using diluted PVA glue, wrap the strip of cartridge paper around the mast, three times to build
up sufficient depth, starting and finishing at the same point to give a uniform thickness. Cut off any excess. Repeat this process
for each of the woolding hoops, ensuring that they remain square to the bowsprit / mast.
Drill a 0.65mm hole into the bowsprit / mast directly below the uppermost hoop of each woolding, and glue the woolding rope
of 0.5mm black thread into this hole. The thread should now be lashed with several turns to completely cover the exposed
bowsprit/mast between the hoops. Once completed, seal by brushing on watered down PVA.
The bowsprit cap (82) is made as shown on Plan Sheet 4, 'Bowsprit cap'.
Note: It is extremely important that the bowsprit and jibboom holes through the cap are offset to the port as shown; this will
allow the ensign staff to be positioned to the starboard. It is also important that the cap, when fitted, is perpendicular to the keel
and the top and bottom are bevelled to follow the angle of the bowsprit. The holes through the cap should also be angled; this
can be achieved by drilling small holes and filing them out with a needle file.
Note: When the bowsprit assembly is complete, the bowsprit and jibboom, although offset to port, will run in line with each
other.
The general construction of the masts are identical, therefore, a detailed construction of the main mast only will be given.
Using Plan Sheet 3 for reference, make up the main lower mast to the dimensions given as follows:
The lower mast is made up in two parts, the upper part is constructed from 7x7mm walnut cut to a length of 79mm.
On the top of the 7x7mm length, mark out a 4.5mm square. Follow the lines of the square down the wood to a distance of
5mm. Using a fine razor saw, saw at right angles across the dowel to each pencil mark at the 5mm line. Form the square
section using a craft knife, saw, file or similar.
The second half of the main lower mast is constructed from 8mm dowel, cut to a length of 238.5mm. Mark, in pencil, the point
111.5mm from the base of the main lower mast, using a craft knife, plane, saw, file or similar, taper the dowel from 8mm
round at this point down to 7mm round at the opposite end. The length below this point (111.5mm) should remain at 8mm
round.
The two halves can now be joined by drilling a 1.5mm hole, centrally down into the lower half, at the 7mm round end, and up
into the upper half, at the 7x7mm square end and gluing together with the use of a length of 1.5mm brass rod. Do not be
concerned by the variation in colour between the two different woods as this area is later painted dull black, the join is also
further braced by the bibbs as applied next.
Offer the bibbs (175) to either side of the mast and mark their positions onto the mast, bearing in mind that the profiled area of
the lower end should face outboard, also the top edge does not sit perpendicular to the mast but is angled to allow the main top,
when seated onto this edge, to remain perpendicular to the keel when the mast is shipped at the correct angle, determined by
the locating hole for the mast in the keel.
Glue the cheeks to the mast taking care to ensure they are at the same height as each other, remembering that the main top will
be located directly on to them.
Identify the main lower mast top platform (174), gunwale (173), crosstrees (87) and trestletrees (86). Using Plan Sheet 3,
'Main top' for reference, glue the gunwale to the platform and using 1.5x1.5mm walnut for the battens, glue these to the
platform, within the gunwale as shown.
Bowsprit & Mast Assembly
Bowsprit
The Main Lower Mast
©
2004 JoTiKa Ltd.
35
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