This what happens to us all Heinrich, sooner or later. But perhaps you did yourself a favor. How for instance did you plan to apply the shrouds if there is no distance between your top and and the flagpole?
And working with wood is making choices, because you always have to take in account how the fibres go (That's why I like to work with paper ). For this sort of knees I always take the upright part for the longest fibres, so I can easily make a round part to put the cap on. The short fibres of the lower leg can be compensated by good glueing (white glue with a lot of pressure, combined with the bolts that go through both the knee and the bowsprit to attach the fore topmast stay and other small parts.
A second try is always a better one in my experience.
As for the rim around the top: who said you always have to use wood? A strip of card or plastic makes the job a breeze.
Ab
And working with wood is making choices, because you always have to take in account how the fibres go (That's why I like to work with paper ). For this sort of knees I always take the upright part for the longest fibres, so I can easily make a round part to put the cap on. The short fibres of the lower leg can be compensated by good glueing (white glue with a lot of pressure, combined with the bolts that go through both the knee and the bowsprit to attach the fore topmast stay and other small parts.
A second try is always a better one in my experience.
As for the rim around the top: who said you always have to use wood? A strip of card or plastic makes the job a breeze.
Ab