Jewell Wrapping Up

French and Webb is in the final couple weeks of the Jewell project. I look forward to getting up to Belfast to see her. Judge for yourself: how does she look from where you sit?

Jewell nearly ready to launch. That sheer has me feeling very happy.

Rigging

The rigging is the latest project and I've been fielding some questions. Sorting out rigging takes time. My approach is to get her rigged so she is functional for sea trials. I don't spend a huge amount of time on eye splices, aesthetics, and making things perfect until sea trials are done. An example is the mizzen on Jewell. The boom is to be lashed to the sail at the clew. At the heel of the sprit is a rounded slot. A couple ways to rig this: 1) snotter line is made off to mast with a thumb cleat to locate it, then is led through slot, and aft to a cleat on the boom. 2) snotter line is made off first at slot on heel, then is led around aft side of mast (thumb cleat to locate line) and then down to a cleat on the mast. Until sea trials, I simply don't know which will work best for Jewell. So, instead of making fancy lines and splices and line whippings and the like, I'll use the same line left extra long, and use bowline knots, and hose clamps to hold cleats until I have finished sea trials. Then I'll know what works well and can finish off the rigging, paying more attention to my splicing knowing it won't change. It takes 3 seasons to dial in a new boat's rigging. So, to say things won't change is wishful thinking. I've learned a great deal from a few resources:

• David Nichols Guide to traditional boat rigging
• Iain Oughtred did a series of articles on sprit and lug rigs in WoodenBoat. Use the WoodenBoat Index to search for these.
• John Leather Gaff Rig handbook

Rigging is part of the fun of designing, building, and using small boats on the coast of Maine!