VASA 490 Build Log - Billing Boats, 1:75 [COMPLETED BUILD]

Good afternoon, everyone.
I wanted to post this update on my attempt at partial furling of the main sail. The rigging is becoming very crowded from the main mast back, rigging for the topsail and top gallant looks to be extremely challenging. While there are endless configurations for the furled shape, I am relieved it is possible to overcome the stiffness at the edges and using the ropes and pulleys actually works as intended.

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You will see on the next set of pictures I tried furling up even more but decided I liked the first attempt above better. See what you think and if your inclined, please comment on your preference too.



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Thanks for taking a look, hope you enjoy.
Good morning Daniel. Your work on the Vasa is brilliant. An outstanding rendition no doubt. My preference is partially furled. “Freak” this is good my friend! Cheers Grant
 
Good morning Daniel. Your work on the Vasa is brilliant. An outstanding rendition no doubt. My preference is partially furled. “Freak” this is good my friend! Cheers Grant
Thank you, Grant. Hey, it just dawned on me, can you imagine how difficult a swashbuckling sword fight must have been on those rope infested ships! Man, they would be cutting rat lines, shroud lines and dropping sails all over the place:p
 
Good Sunday afternoon everyone. It has been 3 weeks since my last post and I have some progress to show. My focus has been the sails and rigging along the main mast, as you will see there is a maze of rigging between the main and mizzen mast. For me the most difficult part by far has been access to the fall or tie off locations (mostly at the belay pins). Actual tie off is a matter of spot gluing, holding lines with tweezers (often a pair in each hand), and trying not to snag adjacent lines which I seem to do constantly. first is an overview between the two masts. Notice the main topgallant halyard and its associated crows foot attachment to the lower stay line. I did not follow critical path and had to install this halyard after I had all the mainsail and main topsail rigging in place. I had to undo the lower braces and backstays to get in there. I shall not make that mistake again with the foremast halyards; they will go on next.

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I have combined rigging methods from the Vasa Museum plans, the museum model, and Billings plans. I am still experimenting with partial furling of the main course, a work in progress. For now, I have the bowlines rolled up and marked their tie down locations with blue tape. Paul @dockattner I accidently cut one of the main topsail braces which set me back an hour and a half, a first for me so far.

Next some close in shots. I have not made rope hanks yet so no close ups of that yet.

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Next notice the big empty space between the fore and main mast...well the fore topsail yard and fore topgallant yard halyards get to go in next.
One other note about the sails, my intent now is to place all the rest of the sails without any furling.

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lastly, I highly recommend the 10" tweezers and extended clippers for anyone attempting this kind of rigging. They really came in handy.

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I sure thank you all for checking in and happy modelling to you.
 
Nice......... and a big update, this is a lot of work.

Furled sails is difficult to realise because the thick fabrics we use don't behave like a real sail to the gravity. We need to find something to realise this. I also have no solution (till now) for this problem.
 
Nice......... and a big update, this is a lot of work.

Furled sails is difficult to realise because the thick fabrics we use don't behave like a real sail to the gravity. We need to find something to realise this. I also have no solution (till now) for this problem.
Yes definitely, at this point full sails will look good as well.
 
What's not to love Daniel! This is simply spectacular work providing SO MUCH eye candy. I could stare at these images for hours just trying to make sense of it all - and I know what I'm looking at ROTF. Sad to hear about the brace you cut - but at least that's more accessible than some other lines you could have severed.

Looking at your picture I just realized what happens to the mainsail sheet when the clew is lifted to the yard. I can't help but wonder if it should be slack rather than tight? Of course, I have no idea myself but surely someone on the forum could render an informed opinion...

Again, your work is simply stunning Daniel. Congratulations!
 
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