Yeah, the full glory is gone.
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Batavia 1628 (1:72) Kolderstok Build log
- Thread starter Papatotalos
- Start date
- Watchers 30
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- Tags
- batavia kolderstok
Brings back lots of memories of rigging my Vasa...
Nice work, Clemens!
Nice work, Clemens!
Yes,.. there is a lot of similarity.
Nice update - as always - rigging work spot on !!
…..and she is.And just a quick peek through because I simply think it's beautiful.
The update for week 17-2026.
Over the past week, I have mainly been busy with the Fore Topmast Shrouds and preparations for the Fore Topmast Stay.
I also installed a section on the Mainmast, Main Topgallant, where the Main Topgallant Shrouds will go.
Pictures often speak better/more than words, so I will do the same here.
All shrouds are around the Fore Topmast, 4 pairs, fitted with deadeyes, and all 8 are tensioned but not yet definitively.
And the preparations for the Fore Topmast Stay. The parts and 2 single blocks thereof on the bowsprit later.
After all the ropes of the Fore Topmast Shrouds were tensioned, I could start placing the ratlines again.
The coming week will be all about these 2 Fore Topmast Shrouds. And maybe installing the Fore Topmast Stay.
Who knows.
Until the next update and wishing you a great building week.
Over the past week, I have mainly been busy with the Fore Topmast Shrouds and preparations for the Fore Topmast Stay.
I also installed a section on the Mainmast, Main Topgallant, where the Main Topgallant Shrouds will go.
Pictures often speak better/more than words, so I will do the same here.
All shrouds are around the Fore Topmast, 4 pairs, fitted with deadeyes, and all 8 are tensioned but not yet definitively.
And the preparations for the Fore Topmast Stay. The parts and 2 single blocks thereof on the bowsprit later.
After all the ropes of the Fore Topmast Shrouds were tensioned, I could start placing the ratlines again.
The coming week will be all about these 2 Fore Topmast Shrouds. And maybe installing the Fore Topmast Stay.
Who knows.
Until the next update and wishing you a great building week.
The update for week 18-2026.
Thanks again to everyone for the likes.
I kept myself busy with the 2 Fore Topmast Shrouds this past week. I can report that they are finished.
The foretopmast stay has also been installed. With a detail of the connection on the bowsprit. (According to the drawing)
On the port side, this runs along the sprit mast backstay.
There are also two sets of 3-1 blocks mounted on the bowsprit for guiding the bowlines of the fore-topsail and the fore-topgallant sail.
These all run from above these blocks via a 3-1 block on the two stays above them. But more on that later in the process.
My next steps involve installing the 4 Fore Backstays.
I will probably also start mounting the main topgallant shrouds.
Until the next update and wishing you a pleasant building week.
Thanks again to everyone for the likes.
I kept myself busy with the 2 Fore Topmast Shrouds this past week. I can report that they are finished.
The foretopmast stay has also been installed. With a detail of the connection on the bowsprit. (According to the drawing)
On the port side, this runs along the sprit mast backstay.
There are also two sets of 3-1 blocks mounted on the bowsprit for guiding the bowlines of the fore-topsail and the fore-topgallant sail.
These all run from above these blocks via a 3-1 block on the two stays above them. But more on that later in the process.
My next steps involve installing the 4 Fore Backstays.
I will probably also start mounting the main topgallant shrouds.
Until the next update and wishing you a pleasant building week.
The update for week 19-2026.
Thanks again to everyone for the likes.
As mentioned, I have been working on the 4 Fore Backstays.
These have now been installed. After that, I also immediately placed the Fore topmast top.
Next, preparations were made for installing the main topgallant stay.
With a whole in the Fore topmast top. The single block above it can be seen in the previous photo.
I did this first because there is a double 4-2 block at the bottom of this stay, with a tackle to the fore mast top. (2 eyes)
And also started on the main topgallant shrouds.
This coming week I am going to occupy myself with these 2 main topgallant shrouds.
We’ll just see how things go otherwise.
Wishing all of you a pleasant building week.
Thanks again to everyone for the likes.
As mentioned, I have been working on the 4 Fore Backstays.
These have now been installed. After that, I also immediately placed the Fore topmast top.
Next, preparations were made for installing the main topgallant stay.
With a whole in the Fore topmast top. The single block above it can be seen in the previous photo.
I did this first because there is a double 4-2 block at the bottom of this stay, with a tackle to the fore mast top. (2 eyes)
And also started on the main topgallant shrouds.
This coming week I am going to occupy myself with these 2 main topgallant shrouds.
We’ll just see how things go otherwise.
Wishing all of you a pleasant building week.
Always nice to see a progress report, Clemens. Lovely work to be admired.
Good morning Clemens. Clean and tidy rigging. Very cool rope and blocks. Cheers Grant
The update for week 20-2026.
Thanks to everyone again this week for the likes. And the comments.
I spent the past week working on the main topgallant shrouds. Finished, and the photos speak for themselves.
Both are ready. And as can be seen at the top, the main topgallant stay has also been installed.
Which had already been prepared in previous weeks and temporarily attached to the foremast.
Here is how the main topgallant stay is rigged on the fore topmast.
A double block and a single block with a tackle.
Since I have now fitted a number of shrouds with ratlines, I was no longer satisfied with the two bowsprit shrouds.
Those were the first two I had made. With rope according to the drawing.
Personally, I still find this a bit too thick.
So,... carefully remove the ratlines and just do it again.
With the following result.
Personally, I think it looks better now and is more in line with the others.
The plan for next week is to install the 2 main backstays that run from the top of the main topgallant shroud.
After that, I will work on some blocks on the main topgallant stay and start on the fore topgallant shrouds.
So, lots of fun things to look forward to.
Wishing all of you a pleasant building week.
Thanks to everyone again this week for the likes. And the comments.
I spent the past week working on the main topgallant shrouds. Finished, and the photos speak for themselves.
Both are ready. And as can be seen at the top, the main topgallant stay has also been installed.
Which had already been prepared in previous weeks and temporarily attached to the foremast.
Here is how the main topgallant stay is rigged on the fore topmast.
A double block and a single block with a tackle.
Since I have now fitted a number of shrouds with ratlines, I was no longer satisfied with the two bowsprit shrouds.
Those were the first two I had made. With rope according to the drawing.
Personally, I still find this a bit too thick.
So,... carefully remove the ratlines and just do it again.
With the following result.
Personally, I think it looks better now and is more in line with the others.
The plan for next week is to install the 2 main backstays that run from the top of the main topgallant shroud.
After that, I will work on some blocks on the main topgallant stay and start on the fore topgallant shrouds.
So, lots of fun things to look forward to.
Wishing all of you a pleasant building week.
A nice improvement.
One's own critical eye often yields valued improvements. Nicely done, Clemens.The update for week 20-2026.
Thanks to everyone again this week for the likes. And the comments.
I spent the past week working on the main topgallant shrouds. Finished, and the photos speak for themselves.
View attachment 603564
Both are ready. And as can be seen at the top, the main topgallant stay has also been installed.
Which had already been prepared in previous weeks and temporarily attached to the foremast.
View attachment 603565 View attachment 603566
Here is how the main topgallant stay is rigged on the fore topmast.
A double block and a single block with a tackle.
View attachment 603567
Since I have now fitted a number of shrouds with ratlines, I was no longer satisfied with the two bowsprit shrouds.
Those were the first two I had made. With rope according to the drawing.
Personally, I still find this a bit too thick.
So,... carefully remove the ratlines and just do it again.
View attachment 603568 View attachment 603569
View attachment 603572 View attachment 603573
With the following result.
View attachment 603570 View attachment 603571
Personally, I think it looks better now and is more in line with the others.
The plan for next week is to install the 2 main backstays that run from the top of the main topgallant shroud.
After that, I will work on some blocks on the main topgallant stay and start on the fore topgallant shrouds.
So, lots of fun things to look forward to.
Wishing all of you a pleasant building week.
Regards, Peter
Paul,
Indeed much better looking - !!
Indeed much better looking - !!
The update for week 21-2026.
Thanks this week for the likes. And the comments.
As "planned," the 2 main backstays were placed, which run from the top of the main stay. I'll just call them main gallant backstays for now. ???
Immediately after that, the flagpole was also placed on the mainmast.
So, "highest point" reached.
(Topping-Out_ back in the time in building construction when I was young )
Preparations have also been made for the fore topgallant stay. It consists of the stay (brown), 2x 4-2 blocks, a tackle (beige) in between, and a lower rope (brown) which will run through the bowsprit top in front, under the bowsprit.
I will install this after the fore topgallant shrouds are finished.
Also hung the last blocks on the main topgallant stay and started on the fore topgallant shrouds.
With the current state of them as shown in the last photo.
The coming week is dedicated to finishing the fore topgallant shrouds, installing the fore topgallant stay, and, I suppose, installing the fore topgallant backstays as well.
I’m making this name up myself because I cannot find this name in the book of Rolf Hoeckel’s descriptions.
"Model Building of Ships 16th and 17th Century, P.N. van Kampen and Son". (is in Dutch/Netherlands. Mabey there is an English version. I do not know)
To whoever reads this today or tomorrow, Happy Pentecost / Whitsun.
Of course, wishing everyone a pleasant building week.
Thanks this week for the likes. And the comments.
As "planned," the 2 main backstays were placed, which run from the top of the main stay. I'll just call them main gallant backstays for now. ???
Immediately after that, the flagpole was also placed on the mainmast.
So, "highest point" reached.
(Topping-Out_ back in the time in building construction when I was young ) Preparations have also been made for the fore topgallant stay. It consists of the stay (brown), 2x 4-2 blocks, a tackle (beige) in between, and a lower rope (brown) which will run through the bowsprit top in front, under the bowsprit.
I will install this after the fore topgallant shrouds are finished.
Also hung the last blocks on the main topgallant stay and started on the fore topgallant shrouds.
With the current state of them as shown in the last photo.
The coming week is dedicated to finishing the fore topgallant shrouds, installing the fore topgallant stay, and, I suppose, installing the fore topgallant backstays as well.
I’m making this name up myself because I cannot find this name in the book of Rolf Hoeckel’s descriptions.
"Model Building of Ships 16th and 17th Century, P.N. van Kampen and Son". (is in Dutch/Netherlands. Mabey there is an English version. I do not know)
To whoever reads this today or tomorrow, Happy Pentecost / Whitsun.
Of course, wishing everyone a pleasant building week.
I am new to this forum but I am building the Batavia now and just starting the standing rigging. My previous build was the Prins Willem. After I complete the dead eye assembly it wants to twist slightly, all of them in one direction. In my previous builds I have not seen this. It is not that bad but I see yours are straight. Any suggestions on what I am doing to get the twist. Or what I should do to correct this.
Hi Johnny,
This is not always happening. The turning.
In my case I always hang the ropes, after I cut them in length, with a small weight for 2 days in free space. The weight will turn the rope like it will when you put tension on it.
Make/prepare the tackle.
If you attach the deadeyes, you see that the rope still want to turn.
But if you take the rope between your fingers from the top to bottom and start moving, it start turning and you see the deadeye turning. When you reach the deadeye, your "turning" is almost out of the rope, and try to fix the deadeye in place. Take the tackle and make at least 2 or 3 connections. But keep the deadeye fixed from turning back.
In most of the times if the tension is light on the rope, it will not turn back. In my cases it did not.
But do not fix the tension strait away.
If it still turns a little try a little more tension or a little less.
This works for me.
If someone else knows more or better ways, please reply.
Thank you. This makes sense to me. The line in the kit is tightly wound on a spool and I can see it has a twist when it is undone. I found that wetting and pulling the line helps greatly to relax the line and I can see hanging it with weight will add to straighten it. I will definitely proceed this way.
I am following your build. It is a quality build and I hope to learn more from your work.
I am following your build. It is a quality build and I hope to learn more from your work.
There is always a reason to celebrate, especially ‘reaching the highest point’. Cheers, Clemens.The update for week 21-2026.
Thanks this week for the likes. And the comments.
As "planned," the 2 main backstays were placed, which run from the top of the main stay. I'll just call them main gallant backstays for now. ???
Immediately after that, the flagpole was also placed on the mainmast.
So, "highest point" reached.
View attachment 606592 View attachment 606593
Preparations have also been made for the fore topgallant stay. It consists of the stay (brown), 2x 4-2 blocks, a tackle (beige) in between, and a lower rope (brown) which will run through the bowsprit top in front, under the bowsprit.
I will install this after the fore topgallant shrouds are finished.
View attachment 606594
Also hung the last blocks on the main topgallant stay and started on the fore topgallant shrouds.
With the current state of them as shown in the last photo.
View attachment 606595 View attachment 606596
The coming week is dedicated to finishing the fore topgallant shrouds, installing the fore topgallant stay, and, I suppose, installing the fore topgallant backstays as well.
I’m making this name up myself because I cannot find this name in the book of Rolf Hoeckel’s descriptions.
"Model Building of Ships 16th and 17th Century, P.N. van Kampen and Son". (is in Dutch/Netherlands. Mabey there is an English version. I do not know)
To whoever reads this today or tomorrow, Happy Pentecost / Whitsun.
Of course, wishing everyone a pleasant building week.
Regards, Peter
Pappa
I just hung the lines weighted as you suggested. I did straighten the lines like I have been doing and they looked pretty good.
I then added a small weight and was amazed at how much more the lines continued to spin.
I will leave them hang for a few days before using them but I am sure this will work.
Now as I look back at the previous lines I worked with they always had a slight desire to twist. It was small but noticeable.
Thank you so much.
By the way, I am a big fan of Dutch East India Ships. I have visited the Batavia werks, the Rijksmuseum and the Dutch Maritime Museum.
I just hung the lines weighted as you suggested. I did straighten the lines like I have been doing and they looked pretty good.
I then added a small weight and was amazed at how much more the lines continued to spin.
I will leave them hang for a few days before using them but I am sure this will work.
Now as I look back at the previous lines I worked with they always had a slight desire to twist. It was small but noticeable.
Thank you so much.
By the way, I am a big fan of Dutch East India Ships. I have visited the Batavia werks, the Rijksmuseum and the Dutch Maritime Museum.