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Mast Dimensions

Joined
Oct 27, 2022
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Every time is start building mast, I question myself about how long a mast should be cut. Is the length of the mast dimensions on the plans the distance between the deck and the top of the mast or do they include the part that is between the keel and the deck?
 
Is the length of the mast dimensions on the plans the distance between the deck and the top of the mast
What ship/nation/year is your model? At least for English ships of war, the mast lengths were determined differently depending on when it was built.

Allan
 
What ship/nation/year is your model? At least for English ships of war, the mast lengths were determined differently depending on when it was built.

Allan
The other part of the question is if the kit is POB or POF. Does the mast go down all the way to the keel, or is there just a cutout in the center bulkhead for the bottom of the mast? :) WHat kit are you building (if it's a kit)? :)
 
Every time is start building mast, I question myself about how long a mast should be cut. Is the length of the mast dimensions on the plans the distance between the deck and the top of the mast or do they include the part that is between the keel and the deck?
You have a great question, which I addressed some 20 years ago when I bought the following books:
The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War 1625 - 1860 by James Lees. Tables 1 to 11 cover every aspect of Mast, Yards, Rigging for all Rates (110 gun down 34 gun).
In my opinion models for French, Italian, Danish, Spanish, only muesums would notice any differences is sizing.
Although another great book does try to rationalize these to a degree. Historic Ship Models by Wolfram zu Mondfeld. This book has limited Tables for Mast, Yards, Rigging, Blocks, Pulleys, and cannon sizing, with modelling techniques, most informative, and excellent buy.
Good luck, cheers Richard
 
The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War 1625 - 1860 by James Lees. Tables 1 to 11
Richard,
This is by far the best book on masting and rigging English ships in the age of sail that I have found and use. There are other great sources such as from David Steel and R.C. Anderson which I love, but they are limited in the era each of them covers. If anyone cares about accurate rigging on models of English ships, be it scratch of kit, they would benefit from this book.
Allan
 
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