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Santa Maria

G

Graham

Joined
Feb 27, 2016
Messages
1,102
Points
383

I have been doing some reading on The Age of Discovery, particularly the voyages of Spain (who went West for gold and silver) and Portugal (who went East for spices). Incredible voyages of sailing into the unknown with quite primitive equipment, no maps, no idea where you might end up and a very good chance that you would not be coming back.
This moved me to build a ship of that period and I have settled on the Santa Maria, not specifically because of Columbus, but that it is very similar to illustrations in manuscripts and on numerous maps of the time.
I settled on the Mamoli version -

20250812_143945.jpg

Let's have a look in the box -20250812_105115.jpg

20250812_105210.jpg

20250812_105210.jpg

20250812_105305.jpg

Metal parts, including a couple of tender boats; that should be interesting. The cordage looks quite good quality and sail cloth is included, together with a template plan.

20250812_105332.jpg

Strip and dowels also look to be good quality -

20250812_105355.jpg

I have spent a couple of days with the instructions and plans. Instructions are not too bad (English could be better, but so could my Italian), but with errors when referencing the drawings. The drawings could be better and show parts not referenced in the instructions and with no dimensions.
I think we are on our own voyage of discovery with this one, but I am sure things will become clearer as we progress and I get into the mind of the designer - famous last words, no doubt.

Let's get cracking. All hull parts cut out, laser cutting is good with minimal retaining tabs to cut through -

20250812_131051.jpg

First job is the keel. I placed the plywood former on some paper, marked the outline with a pencil and then rubbed candle wax on that line. This stops the glue (I use CA) leeching through and sticking to the paper -

20250812_135711.jpg

Front former (marked 20) fixed in place. This needs chamfering to take the lay of the planks so I did this before gluing it on as that's much easier than trying to carve it in place -

20250812_143415.jpg
 
Time to add the frames. I like to bolt a couple of L brackets to the frame to keep it upright until I need the keel clamp -

20250813_112927.jpg

First problem of the day. Frame 16 (transom) should have been fitted before the sternpost was glued on, but that's not what the instructions and plans say -

20250813_115822.jpg

I think the construction method has been simplified, but the plans and instructions not updated because they talk about a separate 5 x 15mm strip being glued on the back of frame 16. Simple solution is to cut the sternpost and glue it back.

20250813_132506.jpg

Dry fit of the frames and two longitudinal braces -

20250813_114435.jpg

Off we go. Duplo bricks are handy -

20250813_122740.jpg

Halfway along and I trialled a fit of the longitudinal braces. This was a no-go because the holes in the frames are tight up against the keel former and the two formers to accommodate frames 1 to 4 did not allow me to get it in.

20250813_143119.jpg

Solution - cut the longitudinal braces in half at the mast hole, slide on the remaining frames and drop into position. From here I had to eyeball for square, but it turned out okay.

Next is the false deck and I know from experience that this will need some fettling. Plus, there is a beak on frame 10 to accommodate a deck beam and this inhibits dropping it in easily. I cut it in half and worked both halves separately -

20250813_163358.jpg

Something of a problem solving day!
 
Your research of the gold and spice trade routes is right on for the period, as a young man my wife's father was in the Spanish Marchant Marine from up until WW2, like most all of the men in his village they went to sea . He worked mostly for the United Fruit Company traveling the Banana routes to Central and South America, although he also did trips to Japan. The fishing village where my wife is from is in North East Spain (Galicia), her father told me years ago if it wasn't for the Portuguese who originally sailed past "Finisterre" then known as the end of the word, Spanish seaman would have remained on dry land. Spain acquired the original but crude navigation charts when it integrated the adjacent county of Portugal. In fact Christopher Columbus like many other captains who flew the Spanish flag were from Italy and Portugal. Best of luck with the Santa Maria, Darryl
 
Graham said:
I have been doing some reading on The Age of Discovery, particularly the voyages of Spain (who went West for gold and silver) and Portugal (who went East for spices). Incredible voyages of sailing into the unknown with quite primitive equipment, no maps, no idea where you might end up and a very good chance that you would not be coming back.
This moved me to build a ship of that period and I have settled on the Santa Maria, not specifically because of Columbus, but that it is very similar to illustrations in manuscripts and on numerous maps of the time.
I settled on the Mamoli version -

View attachment 537526

Let's have a look in the box -View attachment 537527

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537529

Metal parts, including a couple of tender boats; that should be interesting. The cordage looks quite good quality and sail cloth is included, together with a template plan.

View attachment 537530

Strip and dowels also look to be good quality -

View attachment 537536

I have spent a couple of days with the instructions and plans. Instructions are not too bad (English could be better, but so could my Italian), but with errors when referencing the drawings. The drawings could be better and show parts not referenced in the instructions and with no dimensions.
I think we are on our own voyage of discovery with this one, but I am sure things will become clearer as we progress and I get into the mind of the designer - famous last words, no doubt.

Let's get cracking. All hull parts cut out, laser cutting is good with minimal retaining tabs to cut through -

View attachment 537538

First job is the keel. I placed the plywood former on some paper, marked the outline with a pencil and then rubbed candle wax on that line. This stops the glue (I use CA) leeching through and sticking to the paper -

View attachment 537539

Front former (marked 20) fixed in place. This needs chamfering to take the lay of the planks so I did this before gluing it on as that's much easier than trying to carve it in place -

View attachment 537540
Click to expand...

Hello Graham,

I see you have attached the false keel to the frame before planking. That's a pretty smart thing to do, it seems to me, considering the trouble I usually have creating a slot for it afterwards. Besides I reckon the connection will be stronger this way. Standard practice however is to do this after planking. This is at least what all instuctions say I have seen so far (not very many, by the way). Now I wonder, are there any downsides to this approach?

By the way, I also started building a Santa Maria recently.
 
Last edited:
Darryl said:
Your research of the gold and spice trade routes is right on for the period, as a young man my wife's father was in the Spanish Marchant Marine from up until WW2, like most all of the men in his village they went to sea . He worked mostly for the United Fruit Company traveling the Banana routes to Central and South America, although he also did trips to Japan. The fishing village where my wife is from is in North East Spain (Galicia), her father told me years ago if it wasn't for the Portuguese who originally sailed past "Finisterre" then known as the end of the word, Spanish seaman would have remained on dry land. Spain acquired the original but crude navigation charts when it integrated the adjacent county of Portugal. In fact Christopher Columbus like many other captains who flew the Spanish flag were from Italy and Portugal. Best of luck with the Santa Maria, Darryl
Click to expand...
Thanks Darryl, interesting background.
 
Can you recommend some books you've read before starting this build? I love to read about the age of discovery. Currently i'm reading Ocean: a history of the atlantic before Columbus. I can highly recommend this book. It's a very interesting read
 
Graham said:
I have been doing some reading on The Age of Discovery, particularly the voyages of Spain (who went West for gold and silver) and Portugal (who went East for spices). Incredible voyages of sailing into the unknown with quite primitive equipment, no maps, no idea where you might end up and a very good chance that you would not be coming back.
This moved me to build a ship of that period and I have settled on the Santa Maria, not specifically because of Columbus, but that it is very similar to illustrations in manuscripts and on numerous maps of the time.
I settled on the Mamoli version -

View attachment 537526

Let's have a look in the box -View attachment 537527

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537529

Metal parts, including a couple of tender boats; that should be interesting. The cordage looks quite good quality and sail cloth is included, together with a template plan.

View attachment 537530

Strip and dowels also look to be good quality -

View attachment 537536

I have spent a couple of days with the instructions and plans. Instructions are not too bad (English could be better, but so could my Italian), but with errors when referencing the drawings. The drawings could be better and show parts not referenced in the instructions and with no dimensions.
I think we are on our own voyage of discovery with this one, but I am sure things will become clearer as we progress and I get into the mind of the designer - famous last words, no doubt.

Let's get cracking. All hull parts cut out, laser cutting is good with minimal retaining tabs to cut through -

View attachment 537538

First job is the keel. I placed the plywood former on some paper, marked the outline with a pencil and then rubbed candle wax on that line. This stops the glue (I use CA) leeching through and sticking to the paper -

View attachment 537539

Front former (marked 20) fixed in place. This needs chamfering to take the lay of the planks so I did this before gluing it on as that's much easier than trying to carve it in place -

View attachment 537540
Click to expand...
Weel Done until now. I like vere much that you add the Leel, Stren and Steam before adding the False keel
Graham said:
I have been doing some reading on The Age of Discovery, particularly the voyages of Spain (who went West for gold and silver) and Portugal (who went East for spices). Incredible voyages of sailing into the unknown with quite primitive equipment, no maps, no idea where you might end up and a very good chance that you would not be coming back.
This moved me to build a ship of that period and I have settled on the Santa Maria, not specifically because of Columbus, but that it is very similar to illustrations in manuscripts and on numerous maps of the time.
I settled on the Mamoli version -

View attachment 537526

Let's have a look in the box -View attachment 537527

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537529

Metal parts, including a couple of tender boats; that should be interesting. The cordage looks quite good quality and sail cloth is included, together with a template plan.

View attachment 537530

Strip and dowels also look to be good quality -

View attachment 537536

I have spent a couple of days with the instructions and plans. Instructions are not too bad (English could be better, but so could my Italian), but with errors when referencing the drawings. The drawings could be better and show parts not referenced in the instructions and with no dimensions.
I think we are on our own voyage of discovery with this one, but I am sure things will become clearer as we progress and I get into the mind of the designer - famous last words, no doubt.

Let's get cracking. All hull parts cut out, laser cutting is good with minimal retaining tabs to cut through -

View attachment 537538

First job is the keel. I placed the plywood former on some paper, marked the outline with a pencil and then rubbed candle wax on that line. This stops the glue (I use CA) leeching through and sticking to the paper -

View attachment 537539

Front former (marked 20) fixed in place. This needs chamfering to take the lay of the planks so I did this before gluing it on as that's much easier than trying to carve it in place -

View attachment 537540
Click to expand...
Well Done, Mate. now you can later add the Gardboa-el capi
rd. i, myself in my last building years, add fillers between all the Bulkheads up until a few mm below the lower Deck (but hear each Captain take the decision)
 
Graham said:
I have been doing some reading on The Age of Discovery, particularly the voyages of Spain (who went West for gold and silver) and Portugal (who went East for spices). Incredible voyages of sailing into the unknown with quite primitive equipment, no maps, no idea where you might end up and a very good chance that you would not be coming back.
This moved me to build a ship of that period and I have settled on the Santa Maria, not specifically because of Columbus, but that it is very similar to illustrations in manuscripts and on numerous maps of the time.
I settled on the Mamoli version -

View attachment 537526

Let's have a look in the box -View attachment 537527

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537528

View attachment 537529

Metal parts, including a couple of tender boats; that should be interesting. The cordage looks quite good quality and sail cloth is included, together with a template plan.

View attachment 537530

Strip and dowels also look to be good quality -

View attachment 537536

I have spent a couple of days with the instructions and plans. Instructions are not too bad (English could be better, but so could my Italian), but with errors when referencing the drawings. The drawings could be better and show parts not referenced in the instructions and with no dimensions.
I think we are on our own voyage of discovery with this one, but I am sure things will become clearer as we progress and I get into the mind of the designer - famous last words, no doubt.

Let's get cracking. All hull parts cut out, laser cutting is good with minimal retaining tabs to cut through -

View attachment 537538

First job is the keel. I placed the plywood former on some paper, marked the outline with a pencil and then rubbed candle wax on that line. This stops the glue (I use CA) leeching through and sticking to the paper -

View attachment 537539

Front former (marked 20) fixed in place. This needs chamfering to take the lay of the planks so I did this before gluing it on as that's much easier than trying to carve it in place -

View attachment 537540
Click to expand...
El Capi said:
Weel Done until now. I like vere much that you add the Leel, Stren and Steam before adding the False keel

Well Done, Mate. now you can later add the Gardboa-el capi
rd. i, myself in my last building years, add fillers between all the Bulkheads up until a few mm below the lower Deck (but hear each Captain take the decision)
Click to expand...
Although I have never built a Manoly kit -that drawing, assembling etc, there can be errors -which a good builder can make himself-
Not far away in Southern Spain, you see a copy of the real ship -supposedly
el capi
 
Hatteras said:
Hello Graham,

I see you have attached the false keel to the frame before planking. That's a pretty smart thing to do, it seems to me, considering the trouble I usually have creating a slot for it afterwards. Besides I reckon the connection will be stronger this way. Standard practice however is to do this after planking. This is at least what all instuctions say I have seen so far (not very many, by the way). Now I wonder, are there any downsides to this approach?

By the way, I also started building a Santa Maria recently.
Click to expand...
hi. No, Graham is doing it correctly.
 
Hatteras said:
I have no reason to doubt that, El Capi. But why is it that kit manufactures (at least Occre and AL) instruct otherwise? One would suspect a caveat.
Click to expand...
Have a look at Wikipedia. The is a huge information here -in Spanish at least. the is a list too about have many replicas have been built (each country. Do the research your selves. The Kit Manufacturer has many mistakes, etc, as you mentioned, OCCREI has built OCCRE ships since it started -about 15b where montañes,m Virgen Pilar - half the model from the Trafalgar Battle

1024px-Kolumbus-Santa-Maria.jpg
 
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