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bowlines

Joined
Jan 31, 2019
Messages
243
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Location
vancouver island british columbia canada
Wondering if anyone knows the correct lay of bowlines when a ship is "bare bones" and at anchor. Are they taut or do the hang slack? I am working on my 1/64 scratch build of the H.M.S. Vulture and would appreciate any advice. If they are slack how do you get them to have a natural looking droop?
 
Wondering if anyone knows the correct lay of bowlines when a ship is "bare bones" and at anchor. Are they taut or do the hang slack? I am working on my 1/64 scratch build of the H.M.S. Vulture and would appreciate any advice. If they are slack how do you get them to have a natural looking droop?
Not sure about the scenario described. If a vessel is at anchor, sails would usually be furled so no bowlines would be evident. If, however, she was anchored with sails set, I would think bowlines would be slacked off or unfastened. Droop, or more correctly catenary, is often an issue in model making because of the physics of scale. I'm interested in the experience of others but I would guess that you could lock in the catenary curve with careful application of a thinned, water-based glue. Fair winds!
 
The model from 1805 shows the bowline and bridles semi-tight. Artist's license?

The next photo may be helpful for furled sails but I cannot spot the bowlines. Hope someone knowledgeable on rigging can point them out.
Allan
The model of the 38-gun frigate, like many models, is not portraying a condition in which an actual ship could be viewed. The most obvious example is that her sails are set and her bottom is visible. The model was constructed to show most of the rigging in place and belayed. It does not show anything in use: the sails are hanging lifeless. It is a 3-dimensional diagram. I mean no criticism, as it is a wonderful piece. But the original post by Brother Shipahoy asked about the correct lay of bowlines when a ship was at anchor.

The model of the 3rd-rater has the sails furled. I can't see any bowlines. While I am no expert on sailing a square rigger, I would guess that the bowlines were unhitched before sails were furled. Otherwise, they would likely get in the way.

Fair winds!
 
Thanks for helping with the bowline issue guys. The other question now that I am at that stage , are the sprit sail yard braces that run under the fore top and belay at deck level taut or cantenaried . The ship is all yards lowered, all sails stowed below or at the dry cleaners.
 
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