Batavia 1628 (1:72) Kolderstok Build log

[Johnnymike]

Clemens

Just getting back to you to let you know that hanging the line as you suggested worked out perfectly.
This was what was needed.
I think I figured out why I never had this problem before. I am not an expert but have built some tall ships before without
this issue. The lines I am using came with the kit and were tightly wrapped around a dowel. My previous builds had the line
loosely wrapped. When I compared the two there is a big difference in twist.

No matter how old you can still learn a few things.

 

[Papatotalos]

The update for week 22-2026. (part 1)

Over the past week, I continued with the fore topgallant shrouds, the fore topgallant stay, the 2 fore topgallant backstays, and installing the fore flagpole.
That is quite a mouthful, and hopefully everything is named correctly.



As can be seen in both photos, the topgallant stay is already in place here. Including 2x the 4-1 blocks.
Next, here is the stay image from the underside at the bowsprit. Running along both sides of the bowsprit, through the sprittop.
With some "aging" dust.



While I was looking at the photo, I noticed that a deadeye block was facing backwards. (but nobody else sees that. Right... )
After that, I put the flagpole on the foremast. All masts at there top height.
Once I had mounted all the blocks to the various stays and shrouds and checked everything on the drawing, the standing rigging was finished for me.



Including the full photos of port and starboard.




On to the next phase.
Part 2 of week 22 follows later today.

 

[Ronald61]

Great work! What is on the gunports? Clips to hold them?

 

[Papatotalos]

Great work! What is on the gunports? Clips to hold them?

These are clips not to hold canon or ports, but preventing me from hitting off the gun ports. Just like the 4 fake flags on top. So when I turn the ship I see al the preventing obstakels.
I hit some in the past. And had to do then over. Also the flagpole at the back. And one when I hit a lamp.

 

[dockattner]

These are clips not to hold canon or ports, but preventing me from hitting off the gun ports. Just like the 4 fake flags on top. So when I turn the ship I see al the preventing obstakels.
I hit some in the past. And had to do then over. Also the flagpole at the back. And one when I hit a lamp.

Never happens to me (more than once a day) ...

 

[Papatotalos]

The update for week 22-2026. (part 2)

The next phase has arrived. The yards, lifts, braces, sails, brails, sheets, tacks, and bowlines.
Well, that is quite a list of items. They will all be discussed when we get to it.
First, the drawings of the standing rigging have been removed and those of the sails installed. As well as an image with all belaying points.



The one with the yards and the accompanying lines was already hanging there as a background.
There is a window behind it, but it never opens. So now it is a "bulletin board".



All yards sorted and labeled. The one for the top sprit sail was already finished, as can be seen in the photo.



This one looks very thick due to the shadow. But it is actually only 2.2 to 2.3 mm. The ends are only 1 mm.
See drawing.



All parts will be made by hand using only hand tools. So no power tools involved. No Dremel either.



So, lots of planing and sanding this coming week.

Thanks again to everyone for the likes and comments, and have a great model building week.

 

[Peter Voogt]

The update for week 22-2026. (part 2)

The next phase has arrived. The yards, lifts, braces, sails, brails, sheets, tacks, and bowlines.
Well, that is quite a list of items. They will all be discussed when we get to it.
First, the drawings of the standing rigging have been removed and those of the sails installed. As well as an image with all belaying points.

View attachment 608469

The one with the yards and the accompanying lines was already hanging there as a background.
There is a window behind it, but it never opens. So now it is a "bulletin board".

View attachment 608470

All yards sorted and labeled. The one for the top sprit sail was already finished, as can be seen in the photo.

View attachment 608471

This one looks very thick due to the shadow. But it is actually only 2.2 to 2.3 mm. The ends are only 1 mm.
See drawing.

View attachment 608472

All parts will be made by hand using only hand tools. So no power tools involved. No Dremel either.

View attachment 608473

So, lots of planing and sanding this coming week.

Thanks again to everyone for the likes and comments, and have a great model building week.

Time for a new chapter. A lot of work te do, Clemens. The planning is alright, the start looks promising.
Regards, Peter

 

[Papatotalos]

The update for week 23-2026.

Thanks for the likes and comments.

As predicted, I spent the whole week planing and sanding the yards.
And attaching the small wooden suspension brackets to the yards. By Tuesday evening, 5 were finished.
Of these, the largest yard on the foremast has just been glued and is therefore being held in position for now with a small clamp.



The yard with the most working time is the largest yard on the main mast. Below, off to a good start on Thursday evening.
The curls are only from this yard. With every yard, I start with a clean surface.



The status as of Sunday morning is that 10 out of 11 are ready.
The big mizzen yard is now in the "scaffolding". (as they see in some languages)
The rest are ready for the next step.



This afternoon I'm continuing with the big mizzen yard.
We'll see where we stand with the build next week. Probably something involving a "test sail".
I am a bit nervous about it, I must say. A whole different ball game. "Sail fabric".

Have a great build week and until the next phase.

 

[GrantTyler]

Good afternoon Clemens. I really like what you have created with this Batavia. A worthy rendition. Cheers Grant

 

[dockattner]

That's a lot of work but the results speak for themselves. Well done, Clemens!

 

[oldflyer]

This work will be well worth the effort,

 

[Peter Voogt]

The update for week 23-2026.

Thanks for the likes and comments.

As predicted, I spent the whole week planing and sanding the yards.
And attaching the small wooden suspension brackets to the yards. By Tuesday evening, 5 were finished.
Of these, the largest yard on the foremast has just been glued and is therefore being held in position for now with a small clamp.

View attachment 609918

The yard with the most working time is the largest yard on the main mast. Below, off to a good start on Thursday evening.
The curls are only from this yard. With every yard, I start with a clean surface.

View attachment 609919

The status as of Sunday morning is that 10 out of 11 are ready.
The big mizzen yard is now in the "scaffolding". (as they see in some languages)
The rest are ready for the next step.

View attachment 609920

This afternoon I'm continuing with the big mizzen yard.
We'll see where we stand with the build next week. Probably something involving a "test sail".
I am a bit nervous about it, I must say. A whole different ball game. "Sail fabric".

Have a great build week and until the next phase.

You made a very nice handjob on this pieces a round wood, Clemens.
Regards, Peter

 

[GIG1810]

Hey Clemens,

Beautifully done. Simply brilliant… I really like it a lot. The Batavia is a stunning ship. How do you rate the quality? I hope I haven’t asked you this before. I’d really like to get the Kalderstock kit. Would you recommend it?

Best regards,

Günther

 

[Papatotalos]

Hey Clemens,

Beautifully done. Simply brilliant… I really like it a lot. The Batavia is a stunning ship. How do you rate the quality? I hope I haven’t asked you this before. I’d really like to get the Kalderstock kit. Would you recommend it?

Best regards,

Günther

Hi Gunther,
Yes I can recommend this Kolderstok kit. There are 3 different types off wood for this kit. And 2 different kind of blocks. (basic and authentic)
Look at the website https://kolderstok.com/collections/...retourschip-de-batavia?variant=46494578803014
Default it is without sails and no luxe base.
Good luck.

 

[Johnnymike]

Clemens

I appreciate your posts very much. I am striving to meet your craftsmanship level and pictures are informative and helpful to follow.

I am building the same Batavia and and before this built the Prins Willem.

I am quite an armature but have found the attached book 'Prins Willem' by Ketting
most informative for Dutch ships of this time period. It has many illustrations of
the construction and rigging in great detail. And also illustrates building and operating a ship of this time period. It is so good that even though it is in Dutch, which I can not read, it is very interesting.



.

 

[Backer64]

Clemens

I appreciate your posts very much. I am striving to meet your craftsmanship level and pictures are informative and helpful to follow.

I am building the same Batavia and and before this built the Prins Willem.

I am quite an armature but have found the attached book 'Prins Willem' by Ketting
most informative for Dutch ships of this time period. It has many illustrations of
the construction and rigging in great detail. And also illustrates building and operating a ship of this time period. It is so good that even though it is in Dutch, which I can not read, it is very interesting.



.View attachment 611681View attachment 611682

View attachment 611683

A very good book, i have this also.
You can use google lens for translate the Dutch text.

 

[Papatotalos]

The update for week 24-2026.

Thanks again this week for the likes and comments.

I spent the past week working on finishing the mizzen boom. It actually involves more work than you might think at first glance.
Especially the small parts measuring 1mm by 6mm. There are 8 of those on it.
Parts will also be added to the top of the boom through which the rigging will run later.


Sometimes a clamp just needs a little support after gluing.


Then all 11 of them are ready to enter the aging process. Without anything breaking.


And then drying after the process. With a combination of olive and walnut wood impregnating stain.


The next phase is making the sails.
To start with, I first made a copy of each sail from the large drawing.


There are 2 sails that do not fit on an A4 sheet. So, these in 2 parts.
Next week, I will create a plan of action and gather the right materials to make some test pieces

Have a great building week everyone, and until the next update.

 

[dockattner]

Yes, definitely do some trial runs. Sails are a whole new beast and once again force you to decide how much detail you want to include.

 

[Peter Voogt]

The update for week 24-2026.

Thanks again this week for the likes and comments.

I spent the past week working on finishing the mizzen boom. It actually involves more work than you might think at first glance.
Especially the small parts measuring 1mm by 6mm. There are 8 of those on it.
Parts will also be added to the top of the boom through which the rigging will run later.
View attachment 611904

Sometimes a clamp just needs a little support after gluing.
View attachment 611905

Then all 11 of them are ready to enter the aging process. Without anything breaking.
View attachment 611906

And then drying after the process. With a combination of olive and walnut wood impregnating stain.
View attachment 611907

The next phase is making the sails.
To start with, I first made a copy of each sail from the large drawing.
View attachment 611908

There are 2 sails that do not fit on an A4 sheet. So, these in 2 parts.
Next week, I will create a plan of action and gather the right materials to make some test pieces

Have a great building week everyone, and until the next update.

That’s looking very nice, Clemens. Making test-sails can be very inspirational and in 1:72 a challenge.
Regards, Peter