Morningstar again!

[smoolie671]

Yea it's that time again folks! We got the keel finaly painted. We are now ready to sit her upright again. I'm thinking we might just put her on the trailer instead of back on the cradle. That way it's all done and ready to roll out of the shop when I need to raise the masts for rigging checks.

We also tackeled the task of getting the lower mast cap on and the top mast fitted. I love the way the traditional method worked. I can now telescope the top mast down for travel. I've been avoiding the issue of building the rest of the mast parts because I wasn't quite convinced of the method I was originaly going to use. Then I was told about the rigging book by Darcy Lever from the captain of the Lady Washington. He was very helpful and interested in our project. He was kind enough to let us look through his copy of the book while we were doing a battle sail aboard the Lady Washington a couple of weeks ago. Tony an I instanty knew we had to get a copy. The mental problem with the masts became instantly clear! It's incredible how easy it is to build this type of mast. Tomorrow we should have the second mast done. I also found a similar way to colapse the jib boom to save space on the front of the boat.

[Kidd]

This boat continues to get cooler and cooler.

[Frank Hagan]

Very cool indeed. I must have missed the box keel in the earlier pics (then again, it might be yet another reminder that I'm getting forgetful; I keep forgetting to make an appointment to get that checked out!

[lbrewer]

That is really, I mean really, cool. I am still trying to figure out the rigging though. Does the fighting platform telescope up the bottom portion of the mast? What an idea! I wish I'd have thought of that

[smoolie671]

Well actually, the fighting top stays in it's position at the top of the lower mast. It's the top mast that drops through the fighting top. When its in the raised position, the top mast is held in place by a hefty wood pin/fid that rides on top of the trestle trees. Let me see if I can dig up a picture for you..................Well I guess the image was too big. I'll just have to add it here as a link.

http://www.all-model.com/Campbell/54.html

[Kidd]

So, when you get 'er done are you gonna go sail out and take on the Lady Washington?

[smoolie671]

It's funny that you ask that, because I had actually spoken with the head office of their organization and told them what I was building. They actually invited me to do a battle sail with the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain when I was able to get to one of the events that they hold. They just advised me to keep an approximate distance of 30 ft. from the ships for safety. Now honestly I'm sure I would look a bit funny taking on either of those ships, but hey, what the heck! I've see the little privateer ship do just that! There are a couple of pictures of it on the noquartergiven.net site. And his boat was smaller than mine!

[Kidd]

That is also a very cool boat. Maybe if the two of you ganged up on the Lady Washington you could catch her unawares and take her for Prize!!! :twisted: By the way have you gotten a letter of marque from the governor yet?

[smoolie671]

Letter of mark?!! The govenor be damned, I don't need no stinking letter of mark! :twisted: AAARRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

[kydocfrog]

Ah, but it is such a nice touch, a matter of style and flourish.

A Letter of Marque and Reprisal looks good in the ship's papers, might help keep the insurance rates down (terrible cost for hull insurance for independent pirates these days) and, incidentally, might keep you from being hung. :shock:

Not sure it helps with Coast Guard safety inspection though...

DocA

[Ken_Potts]

Arr, but with a letter of marque ye'll hafta actually check the colors afore ye take the prize! Why bother with such limitations when there are fewer and fewer prizes to be had that can't get away up on plane? A man's got to make a livin', ye know!