Build log · Phase 6, Mouldings, head and rudder

Fitting the channels first

17 March 2019 · Problem and fix

Now that the copper is on, I really do want to make a start on the mouldings. For that the channels need to be in the right place first, because the mouldings run around them. The drawing is no doubt correct, but thanks to a few adjustments on my part (call them mistakes) it no longer matches reality entirely. My gunports unfortunately sit a little too low, so they give me little to go by. I therefore dry fitted the channels where they seemed logical to me and asked the forum whether I was making a big mistake. I did not really expect so, but it is always better to check first and glue afterwards.

The hull upside down, with the channels dry fitted
The hull upside down, with the channels dry fitted
Overview of the channels along the side
Overview of the channels along the side
A channel above the gunports
A channel above the gunports
The position of the channels relative to the ports
The position of the channels relative to the ports
The aftermost channel, next to the quarter gallery
The aftermost channel, next to the quarter gallery
A channel seen from below, with the notches
A channel seen from below, with the notches
Another channel from below
Another channel from below
The foremost channel, from below
The foremost channel, from below

Jan saw straight away what I had overlooked: the chainplates, the supports beneath the channels, must not run across the gunports. Piet added that the mizzen channel is fine as it is, because there the chainplates and braces are fixed above the gunports; he even dug out a picture to go with it. Aft they do indeed stay above the ports, I saw then. Forward they run right across them. So either I shift those channels a little, or the chainplates end up at a slight angle.

At the front the chainplates would run across a port
At the front the chainplates would run across a port

For now the channels are only in place to position the mouldings. I am not fixing them yet, that seems too fragile at this stage. I am still roughly following the order of the instruction manual, which is why the mouldings are next. For the details I look at Piet’s work again: by now the manual refers to parts that are nowhere to be found. Jan even apologised because he had not known that the chainplates aft stay above the ports, but there was no need for that at all. His remark was exactly what I was looking for.