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

[GrantTyler]

Grant, hi buddy.
Have you done too much in wiring the tackle through the blocks? In my understanding it should be like thisView attachment 410603
And your running end first goes to the upper block, then to the lower one. As a result, the ropes cross

Good morning Sasha. Thank you my friend. I have not tied anything off so this will be redone. The lines will definitely flow better . Makes sense. Cheers Grant

Wow! That's a lot of progress on the rigging! Impressive as always.

Good afternoon Paul. As you know me- I have been prepping and tying the odd block every once in a while over a period of time, so most of the “pieces” were made already. I just put them all together. Thanks for the compliment and checking out my little ship - means plenty. Cheers Grant

Hi Jan, what Sasha means, is how the violin block tackle is laid (see image below). Both images refer as the Violin tackle, but only the image on the right uses the violin (fiddle) blocks.

View attachment 410750

Good afternoon Jim. These diagrams make it very clear. I always appreciate the help and correction from you guys- makes for a better model and understanding. Cheers Grant

Wow, I don’t understand all the terminology but to my almost “normal again“ vision that rigging looks fantastic.

Jan

Good afternoon Jan. Yep me too. However it’s always cool when the “senior” guys ( not any reference to age ) help out. Got to love SOS. Thanks for the compliment Jan. Cheers Grant

as Jim showed the correct rope alignment, I would adjust and correct the tackles mentioned by Alexander

Very good looking rigging works - the rope looks great

Good afternoon Uwek. Agreed. This Will improve the whole look and feel of the stay. Thanks for checking in and the compliment- I appreciate it.

Grant,
As always - so impressive!! - PS: also such great blocks.

Good afternoon John. Thank you kindly. Cheers Grant

 

[Obormotov]

This a project for you, Egor, to take your mind of things?

Thank you, RDN1954 to all other SOS participants and guests in this construction log! For several weeks now I have been coming home from my work, and I forget about everything... because I open SOS, because I read about Grant’s work, about the wonderful Grant Cazador, and your comments... I don’t even know myself felt, if not for your cheerful remarks to each other. It distracts and even gives you hope that everything will pass. Thank you all more for such therapy, you seem to show how to live in such a situation. All my gratitude goes to you!!!

 

[Obormotov]

Thank you, RDN1954 to all other SOS participants and guests in this construction log! For several weeks now I have been coming home from my work, and I forget about everything... because I open SOS, because I read about Grant’s work, about the wonderful Grant Cazador, and your comments... I don’t even know myself felt, if not for your cheerful remarks to each other. It distracts and even gives you hope that everything will pass. Thank you all more for such therapy, you seem to show how to live in such a situation. All my gratitude goes to you!!!

 

[Obormotov]

I can’t say that I understood you correctly... but is it really necessary to do THIS with a grizzly bear... are you serious? poor bears! My God!

 

[Obormotov]

Wow!!! Complicating the project!! Long bot Chuck!!! The stakes are rising!! Grant You will do it... without the grizzly...

 

[Obormotov]

Good afternoon everyone.

Just more cannon:
View attachment 408108View attachment 408111
View attachment 408109View attachment 408110
Cheers Grant

Looking at the Grant Cazador, I thought: what if Simon Dancer was cunning... and made it, fasteners for guns from looted gold, that's why they are yellow and shiny... and told everyone that they were brass, they just ran out of paint!

 

[Obormotov]

Good morning. A little information on this ships boat. Grants summary : It was commonly used from the 15th to the mid 18th century when it was replaced by the Launch. The longboats were the largest of the ships boat measuring up to 54ft. They were used to transport supplies, arms, men and at times in combat.

Their function was to bring supplies mainly, water and food, which made these very heavy when loaded. (There have been estimates of several tons). The water, in casks or barrels, was stored in the bilges between the thwarts of the long boats.

Due to the size and weight these were towed behind the ships up to the mid 1700’s. Due to many of these being lost at sea especially in inclement weather, it became necessary to store the longboat on the deck. It made for engineering challenges especially with lifting and lowering these heavy loaded boats. A system of block and tackle secured to the fore and mainmast via Burton pendants was used with plenty manpower. These also made the decks especially on the Xebec design crowded and during conflict these were often lowered and towed behind the ship.

The long boat used oars and sails to manoeuvre. Generally a “cutter rig “ (not like the ship) with a gaf design was used for the sails and rigging. It would appear as if the Xebecs used a lanteen sail configuration on the boat as well.

The longboats were often used in battle either on their own or when their parent ship was engaged. In many cases these were armed with swivel canons or special slides for canon to be stowed when not in use.

The longboat of Le Requin is around 36ft and Cazador (well the Occre kit) 33ft.
Some pics :
View attachment 410088View attachment 410089View attachment 410090View attachment 410091
Courtesy of google.
Cheers Grant

Well.... And what did I say, the show continues...

 

[Obormotov]

as Jim showed the correct rope alignment, I would adjust and correct the tackles mentioned by Alexander

we can't live without you... guys...

 

[Obormotov]

Good afternoon Peter. Thanks. This is why I decided to do the Mizzen first- definitely way less confusing than the other two masts. Again thanks for a brilliant log of your Xebec. I would have been lost without it. Sails…….….… . I will give it a go…. Cheers Grant

SAILS... SAILS... SAILS (chanting)

 

[Tobias]

Good morning Grant, fantastic work on your longboat. The start of the rigging looks promising and is sure to be another highlight.

Looks like you had a great day at the annual party and a lot of fun, you're a great bloke Grant.

 

[The Gavel]

Good morning
Rigging Mizzen mast : Firstly a big thank you for Peters (@Ptèr ) marvellous build log which has helped me understand this unusual rigging. I will mostly copy his interpretation of this ships rigging with one or two deviations along the way. Occre’s plan is too simplified and has been tossed.

Grant’s understanding of the Xebec Mizzen rigging.

1. Unlike most square riggers from 1750 the Xebec does not have shrouds, deadeyes etc but a configuration of stays.
2. On the Mizzen there are 2 stays with a block and tackle system to tension these.
3. The stays are secured to the strake on the bulkwark via toggles and the mast via a double rope binding.
View attachment 410580

Fore stay : There is a double 6mm block from the mast head and a single 6mm attach via the toggle system. I used a 0.8mm rope. The running line is a 0.6mm rope between these blocks
Aft stay : There is a single 6mm block from the mast head and a single 6mm via the toggle system. There is also a 10mm violin block via the middle toggle. The running line runs through these blocks.

I made my own toggles from toothpicks as Occre did not provide enough for a complete rigging rigging process :
View attachment 410581
The violin blocks where made from a 6mm block and 4mm block:
View attachment 410582
Some pics nothing is tied off:
View attachment 410583View attachment 410584View attachment 410585View attachment 410586
I have chosen to use cotton rope (have to be careful of fluffing) to keep with my objective of this ship being a little “used” and not not too “modelly “ …….I’m not sure I’m getting there but worth the try.
Cheers Grant

Lovely. Absolutely lovely. The rigging will be its own masterpiece. I need to plan a day off to go back to the beginning of your log and relive the Grant's Xebec experience! Cheers!

 

[Stuart Little]

Good afternoon
I am going to build a Xebec. Originally I was going to build the Jabeque Cazador from OcCre 1:60 scale, however as I will show I am going to change this up a little.

The kit :
As with most reasonably affordable kits there is nothing exotic about the Cazador from OcCre.

When my kit arrived the parts box had broken open and plenty tiny parts were strewn all over- I’m sure I did not achieve a 100% recovery- time will tell
View attachment 351990View attachment 351991View attachment 351992

The wood is mostly lime (L)(not my favorite) which is easily cut and sanded. It is a porous wood and difficult to get a realistic finish. I am going to have to research staining and wood finishing.

Certain parts e.g. the false keel, is African Walnut (Aw) which does not finish as good as the European Walnut however it is cool.

The second planking layer is veneer which looks good and easy to use. It Does limit certain details e.g. caulking and the treenail effect is different.
View attachment 351993
As with all modern kits in this price range many of the parts and decorations are molded metal where it would be so much better to have these wood. I guess a lot of scratch part building is in my near future. Going be fun.

View attachment 351995
The cannons are simply kak. (An Afrikaans word - translation obvious ).The blocks and thread (which is a strange shade of green) will be replaced with the good stuff from Drydock. Pretty much stock standard for kits.

Occre got the instructions so good. Clear, concise and there is no confusion. Wow so different from my Mantua Victory ones.

Next up some history, ship research and Grants plans for a Xebec.

Cheers Grant

View attachment 351994

Typical of the brittle acrylic boxes OcCre use, accompanied by poor packing by the retailer.

 

[RogerD]

Four or five pages to catch up on this morning. I started clicking on lots of the little icon thingies to show appreciation for your fine work but that means those little bell “Alert” notifications would, rightly, multiply rapidly into a long list . Words are sometimes better - really terrific work Grant, great attention to detail and impressive as always.

 

[GrantTyler]

SAILS... SAILS... SAILS (chanting)

Good afternoon. Thank you for your interest in my little ship. Means a lot. For the past two weeks I have been away and my build has stalled a little bit I am back. Thanks again.

Good morning Grant, fantastic work on your longboat. The start of the rigging looks promising and is sure to be another highlight.

Looks like you had a great day at the annual party and a lot of fun, you're a great bloke Grant.

Good afternoon Tobias. Thank you. My staff certainly enjoyed it.

Typical of the brittle acrylic boxes OcCre use, accompanied by poor packing by the retailer.

Occre is like that. However I have had very few hassles with the kit itself other than my own desired changes.

Four or five pages to catch up on this morning. I started clicking on lots of the little icon thingies to show appreciation for your fine work but that means those little bell “Alert” notifications would, rightly, multiply rapidly into a long list . Words are sometimes better - really terrific work Grant, great attention to detail and impressive as always.

Good afternoon Roger. Thank you. Your comments and encouragement is always appreciated.
Cheers Grant

 

[RDN1954]

For the past two weeks I have been away and my build has stalled a little bit I am back.

Your absence made me wonder.
Either you abandoned your build or you were busy making sails. Instead it was holidays again...
Good to see you're back: I missed your updates.

 

[GrantTyler]

Your absence made me wonder.
Either you abandoned your build or you were busy making sails. Instead it was holidays again...
Good to see you're back: I missed your updates.

Good morning Johan. Ahh I wish it was holidays. Just been off the charts busy and have not had build time or time to check out SOS much. . Cheers Grant

 

[RDN1954]

Good morning Johan. Ahh I wish it was holidays. Just been off the charts busy and have not had build time or time to check out SOS much. . Cheers Grant

Recognizable, sometimes life gets in the way of modeling.
Stay safe, Johan

 

[GrantTyler]

Recognizable, sometimes life gets in the way of modeling.
Stay safe, Johan

Good evening Johan. Thank you. True story however I need for life to give me some play time again. Cheers Grant

 

[GrantTyler]

Good morning. Got some Xebec time again. I will start the stays and seating of the foremast. The Occre design has the stays originating from inside the bulkwark, however I am using Peters (@Ptèr) wonderful build and some pics of the Le Requin for my rigging.

The toggles for the stays run from 3 rope loops from outside the hull. To be continued:

 

[RDN1954]

however I need for life to give me some play time again.

We'll remain kids, don't we? Always needing time to play...