Grants Xebec 1:60 (using Jabeque Cazador Occre1:60 kit) [COMPLETED BUILD]

[RDN1954]

Grant went AWOL on SOS, but finally decided to show up again. Looks like you had a terrific time on your bike, but where's the evidence?

Too bad your Xebec had to suffer from your absence... (Don't know about the Admiral, tough )
On that topic, besides the heli deck getting a severe beating from firing these stern cannon's, the handling of these gun's mounted on the railing, is quite severely hampered by these nicely crafted oars. When engaging battle, one would say those oars should have been moved.

 

[GrantTyler]

Grant went AWOL on SOS, but finally decided to show up again. Looks like you had a terrific time on your bike, but where's the evidence?

Too bad your Xebec had to suffer from your absence... (Don't know about the Admiral, tough )
On that topic, besides the heli deck getting a severe beating from firing these stern cannon's, the handling of these gun's mounted on the railing, is quite severely hampered by these nicely crafted oars. When engaging battle, one would say those oars should have been moved.

Good morning Johan. I was waiting for that one as well. . The Cazador kit design has a similar problem with the swivel cannons being too low to the deck and cluttered by the oars especially on the port side. (I changed my design here completely and also added a fourth cannon). Occre’s oars are secured unevenly on the deck and the port side go over the boom/yard supports. I chose to place the oars symmetrically on the deck from an aesthetic point of view. In battle position the oars are in operation so are not on the deck . Well so my story goes - it is an assumption which suites me.
Should Grants Xebec go the battle in strong winds with no oars in use then my captain liked the oars here as the crew can lie on the oars for protection against musket shot

Evidence of my trip- well we don’t take photos while we riding, could be fun tho. I know Martin had a go pro and maybe he has done some editing. When he sends me these I will post a pic or two. I took 4 photos in total - some in Knysna Forrest when we stopped for coffee :

Anthony (a crazy Asian- rides like a bat out of hell…) getting his coffee machine out- boils water for 2 cups in 45secs.

Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

Ok back to ship building :
I’m taking my Ricochet Rabbit back from Daniel (@Daniel20 ). Over making cannons!!

Mizzen mast : Xebecs have an unusual mast configuration. For a detailed, accurate and how to build these spot on refer Peters legendary Xebec - (@Ptèr ) post #336 page 17 .

Grants attempt : (modified kit method)
Mods :
1: Made fake sheaves
2: Added hole for the sheave axel
3: Added two rope guides at the bottom for the rigging to follow.

A pin to secure it to mast head.



4: Made a mast base - cut left over lime deck planks to 2mm and cut some scrap walnut to 1mm for frames. This matches the main and foremast bases. Added lovely brass rings for rigging lines

Painted black bottom and top.
Mast not seated.

Cheers Grant

 

[Peter Voogt]

Ok back to ship building :
I’m taking my Ricochet Rabbit back from Daniel (@Daniel20 ). Over making cannons!!

Mizzen mast : Xebecs have an unusual mast configuration. For a detailed, accurate and how to build these spot on refer Peters legendary Xebec - (@Ptèr ) post #336 page 17 .

Grants attempt : (modified kit method)
Mods :
1: Made fake sheaves
2: Added hole for the sheave axel
3: Added two rope guides at the bottom for the rigging to follow.
View attachment 396136View attachment 396137
A pin to secure it to mast head.
View attachment 396139
View attachment 396142

4: Made a mast base - cut left over lime deck planks to 2mm and cut some scrap walnut to 1mm for frames. This matches the main and foremast bases. Added lovely brass rings for rigging lines
View attachment 396141
Painted black bottom and top.
Mast not seated.
View attachment 396143View attachment 396144
Cheers Grant

Good morning, Grant. Nice addition. It’s good to see she is now going into the air. New perspectives.
Regard, Peter

 

[RDN1954]

I chose to place the oars symmetrically on the deck from an aesthetic point of view. In battle position the oars are in operation so are not on the deck . Well so my story goes - it is an assumption which suites me.
Should Grants Xebec go the battle in strong winds with no oars in use then my captain liked the oars here as the crew can lie on the oars for protection against musket shot

You truly sound like an engineer fabricating a beautiful story to justify your decisions. (Been there, seen that, done that... )

 

[RDN1954]

Good morning Johan. I was waiting for that one as well. . The Cazador kit design has a similar problem with the swivel cannons being too low to the deck and cluttered by the oars especially on the port side. (I changed my design here completely and also added a fourth cannon). Occre’s oars are secured unevenly on the deck and the port side go over the boom/yard supports. I chose to place the oars symmetrically on the deck from an aesthetic point of view. In battle position the oars are in operation so are not on the deck . Well so my story goes - it is an assumption which suites me.
Should Grants Xebec go the battle in strong winds with no oars in use then my captain liked the oars here as the crew can lie on the oars for protection against musket shot

Evidence of my trip- well we don’t take photos while we riding, could be fun tho. I know Martin had a go pro and maybe he has done some editing. When he sends me these I will post a pic or two. I took 4 photos in total - some in Knysna Forrest when we stopped for coffee :
View attachment 396133
Anthony (a crazy Asian- rides like a bat out of hell…) getting his coffee machine out- boils water for 2 cups in 45secs.
View attachment 396134View attachment 396135
Cheers Grant

Beautiful, springtime again in SA...
Btw, nowadays we have those brilliant little cams, being able to be helmet-mounted, so there are no more excuses for your next road trip.

 

[GrantTyler]

Good morning, Grant. Nice addition. It’s good to see she is now going into the air. New perspectives.
Regard, Peter

Good morning Peter. Thank you. It was fun making the mast so I’m going to make the other two as well before bashing out some more cannons. Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

Beautiful, springtime again in SA...
Btw, nowadays we have those brilliant little cams, being able to be helmet-mounted, so there are no more excuses for your next road trip.

Good morning Johan. We still waiting for spring have had snow on the mountains and some late storms. Yep Martin had a Go Pro on so we are waiting for him to edit hours of video into a minute or so. Those will be cool. Personally I don’t like all the tech when riding- no coms, ABs, traction control, cams etc, etc- just the bike myself and nature….old school. Cheers Grant

 

[dockattner]

Nice progress on the mast! A big step in the build.

I suspect your mate (the coffee guy) has something called a JetBoil (or a knockoff). These are brilliant. I use one for backpacking trips. They boil water in no time for coffee - but also for rehydrating food bags for evening meals. They are a bit heavier than a micro stove but are very fuel efficient and can be started even when it's below freezing (bottle fuel gets thick and won't ignite and dropping the canister down my pants to warm it up is a very bad look around camp). Dude even has a lightweight camp chair - I like him...

 

[Daniel20]

Ok back to ship building :
I’m taking my Ricochet Rabbit back from Daniel (@Daniel20 ). Over making cannons!!

Mizzen mast : Xebecs have an unusual mast configuration. For a detailed, accurate and how to build these spot on refer Peters legendary Xebec - (@Ptèr ) post #336 page 17 .

Grants attempt : (modified kit method)
Mods :
1: Made fake sheaves
2: Added hole for the sheave axel
3: Added two rope guides at the bottom for the rigging to follow.
View attachment 396136View attachment 396137
A pin to secure it to mast head.
View attachment 396139
View attachment 396142

4: Made a mast base - cut left over lime deck planks to 2mm and cut some scrap walnut to 1mm for frames. This matches the main and foremast bases. Added lovely brass rings for rigging lines
View attachment 396141
Painted black bottom and top.
Mast not seated.
View attachment 396143View attachment 396144
Cheers Grant

Very well done in my opinion Grant. I have always enjoyed the transition to going vertical after so much time on the main hull.

 

[Heinrich]

Man, that is one sexy ghost in the mirror! Maybe Simon Dancer paid a surprise visit to see his ship.

 

[RogerD]

Wonderful watching and reading your progress Grant. You always have some inspirational methods and clever ideas that can be adapted to our own builds.

 

[GrantTyler]

Nice progress on the mast! A big step in the build.

I suspect your mate (the coffee guy) has something called a JetBoil (or a knockoff). These are brilliant. I use one for backpacking trips. They boil water in no time for coffee - but also for rehydrating food bags for evening meals. They are a bit heavier than a micro stove but are very fuel efficient and can be started even when it's below freezing (bottle fuel gets thick and won't ignite and dropping the canister down my pants to warm it up is a very bad look around camp). Dude even has a lightweight camp chair - I like him...

Good evening Paul. Ant and I have been mates for 25 years and we are polar opposites. He has every gizmo and tool perfectly stored in bike bags essential on long trips ( you would like him) - I just have spare underwear and socks in a rucksack . He is an amazing guy and a super talented sportsman ( highly competitive)-we have loads of fun together. Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

Very well done in my opinion Grant. I have always enjoyed the transition to going vertical after so much time on the main hull.

Good evening Daniel. It is. Although they will come out as I still have so much to do on my decks. Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

Man, that is one sexy ghost in the mirror! Maybe Simon Dancer paid a surprise visit to see his ship.

Good evening Heinrich. I would rather he did not as he may just kick it into touch. Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

Wonderful watching and reading your progress Grant. You always have some inspirational methods and clever ideas that can be adapted to our own builds.

Good evening Roger. Thanks. When one has very limited resources and it’s just not financially worthwhile at my level to bring these into SA, I need to “cheat” some to create the effect of certain aspects. They came out pretty ok though. Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

dropping the canister down my pants to warm it up is a very bad look around camp).

 

[GrantTyler]

Good afternoon.
The main and foremasts - as per kit instructions. I had to reduce the base of the main mast to fit into my blunder when I switch the Mizzen and Main mast brackets in the frame of the ship.

Some pics:

Pics of whole ship with masts:
THE MASTS ARE NOT SEATED : these will come out so I can finish the deck furniture and cannons.

I am hoping that with Matt Poly the mast colour comes closer to my deck…they are a bit light right now. They are both Lime so should do.
That’s my cannon break over….
Cheers Grant

 

[dockattner]

Great to see the 'big picture' - what a wonderful looking ship Grant!

 

[Uwek]

I fully agree with Paul - very good overall appearance (and off course also the details)