18 - Ratlines

Fabricating the bowsprit shrouds provided me with some insight into how I might go about installing the ratlines on the mast shrouds. Fortunately, the white glue that I was using for most of the construction dried clear and thus made it suitable for securing the ratlines to the shrouds. Now the purist might suggest that the ratlines should be tied off, but with the number that I was facing, that was not going to be an option. In fact, once the glue drys, the result looks quite acceptable, IMO, even close up.

Next, I had to determine how many ratlines I was looking at. I had a couple of good photographs of Bluenose II that clearly depicted the ratlines, to the extent that I was able to count the numbers involved. I could even determine when the ratlines changed from spanning three shrouds to spanning four (near the mast head where the shrouds taper close together). As a double check, I also calculated the numbers based on the vertical separation, which according to Jenson, is about 15 inches. The results agreed within one or two lines, which was fine by me.

I then produced a paper template based on these numbers and marked off the critical dimensions of mast height and locations of the chainplates/deadeyes at deck level.

Template for affixing ratlines to the shrouds.

Here I've set up the shrouds for the port side forward mast. (The template has not yet been placed on the board, underneath the shrouds.)

Positioning the shrouds in preparation to affixing ratlines.

From here, it was merely a matter of cutting suitable lengths of thread to form the ratlines. In the case of the forward mast shrouds that was 36; for the main mast shrouds, it was 41. In the photo below, the board is set up for the port main mast shrouds and the first run of glue points has been run up the centre shroud. Two more runs would be required for the shrouds on either side - and near the top where the shrouds taper close together, the ratlines span four shrouds.

Gluing ratlines to the shrouds using the template.

It is to be noted that the orientation of the shrouds differs from side to side, i.e., there is a port and starboard configuration. This is due to two issues. First, the shrouds are not centred on the masts but actually are secured to the deck rails slightly aft of the masts. Secondly, the deck rail itself, particularly at the foremast location, angles upward. Consequently, these variations must be taken into account when orienting and applying the ratlines, otherwise the ratlines will not be horizontal when the shrouds are eventually installed.

Once the ratlines had been secured, it was time to add the shear pole that is positioned across the row of top deadeyes. I used white glue to initially set the rod in place, then followed that up with thread to replicate Jenson's drawings. (Note also that the shrouds have been painted since the last post.)

Shear pole in position.

Shear pole in process of being lashed to the shrouds.

Lastly, I needed to adjust the deadeyes and secure the lanyards. Once again, Jenson's drawings provided a clear description of what the end result should look like. (The more astute among you may notice that my top deadeyes aren't quite the pear shape he illustrates - something I didn't notice until it was too late!)

Overview of shroud deadeyes.

Details for tying off the lanyards.

Following Jenson's drawings, I positioned each deadeye set identically and tightened each lanyard accordingly. However, I have not tied the lanyards off as I may have to do some adjusting once the shrouds are in place on the ship. 

Here are the four sets of shrouds.

Four completed sets of shrouds, ratlines and chainplates.

A close-up of the deadeyes and chain plates.

Closeup of chainplates, deadeyes and shearpoles.

And during a trial fit to see how they will look once installed.

Mock-up of shroud installation.

Must admit that I'm glad to have this out of the way. It took some time to complete but I think the detail achieved will add to the overall appearance of the model when installed.

This brings me right up to date with the project. Not sure what is on tap next so you'll just have to watch this space!