Dutch Gallot trading Vessel, initial research and build.

Started by Hillro

11 updates 107 likes 42 comments
Hillro Opening post 2

Dutch Gallot trading Vessel, initial research and build.

Well , I bought a job lot on eBay, a bundle of Part built display model ship's kits. I bought this mainly for the wood, boat parts etc. To my surprise, I picked up two large boxes of stuff. These boxes contained six partly built models, the hulls seemed to have been started but interest seemed to wane at finishing the rigging and details.
Anyway sorting through mountains of stuff, I sorted out what was possible to complete like the Bounty etc.
However I found one box of stuff contain parts to make a Dutch Trading Vessel but in this case no hull parts. The great thing was that a good set of plans containing the hull frame details. There are a set of instructions in French. Using google translate and my limited knowledge of french managed to work out a parts listing.

I spent some time researching using Mr Google, I could not find any detail of the kit, or the boat.
However I found the following.

A galiot was a type of Dutch or German merchant ship of 20 to 400 tons (bm), similar to a ketch, with a rounded fore and aft like a fluyt. Galiots had nearly flat bottoms to sail in shallow waters. These ships were especially favored for coastal navigation in the North and Baltic seas.
I did not find a lot of info however I found below

The galeas is a small type of trade ship, used mainly in the Baltic Sea and North Sea. It was popular from the 17th to the early 20th centuries. The galeas was derived from the Dutch galiot. A galiot had a similar rig, but a rounded stern.

https://www.modelships.de/Galeas-Stettin/Galeas-Stettin.htm

Looking at its details it looked almost identical to my plans and there are loads of detailed photographs.

So being what I think is a fairly unique build I thought I would have a go.

So I am building the hull, using the plans for the frames 4mm ply.
the hull planking is double planked.
this I assume I have to skin the hull using mahogany strips on top of the first layer of planking.
Is This a correct assumption?
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3 comments
  1. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    That is what I would do.The first is to plank the hull and smooth the planking to get it ready for your Mahogany planks .Look forward to you progress .
    Rick
    Liked by Hillro and Martin555
  2. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    That sounds like a pretty good job lot.
    As far as building a model galeas or galot is concerned, that is a most interesting and different project. Best of luck and I shall follow your progress with more than usual interest.

    Cheers, Nerys.
    Liked by Martin555 and Hillro

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Hull and Deck

Decided to replace the thin veneer deck supplied with kit , with 1mm plywood to stiffen up the hull.
Shaped lime wood blocks fitted for the bow and stern laminating mahogany bow and stern posts.When deck is secure, will trim the edges to the frame.
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Hull Planking to deck level

Screwed a block of wood to the deck to allow the hull to be held securely upside down in a vice.
Started planking. Just using the experience gained in Planking other hulls, I just used tapered planks where required. Having a belt sander this is not difficult.
I would say 60% of the planking did not require tapering.Each plank was pinned each frame.
This hull is to be double planked so all that is required is a smooth finish.
At the moment, some shaping of the bow and stern required.
Next stage is how to go about planking the "bulwarks"
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Bulwarks and hand Rails

Hull Planking build up to handrail level. the kit had a plywood handrail but I dumped that and made mahogany ones.
The mahogany used was from lift door surrounds from the 1950s. These were 12"x2" planks. Believe it or not these had be painted over.
Handy having a son who is a lift engineer.
Some advice is required on double planking the hull in mahogany strip.
Do I soak the strips first? What type of glue would you use?

I think this double planking is going to be tricky, any advice welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Liked by RNinMunich and Joe727 and
4 comments
  1. Newby7Bronze
    Fleet Admiral
    Agree with Martin.Each piece of mahogany needs to be as close as you can keep it.This makes the finished job look good.
    Rick
    Liked by Hillro and Martin555
  2. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Martin has said it all, take your time and pay special attention to the joints. I think you will have most trouble on those fat rounded ends. I would use as thin a plank as I could manage, it will bend easier. In fact if you think it needs the thickness, why not two layers. I would soak at least overnight and start off with boiling water, repeating a few times if possible. On the sides it won't matter as much, you shouldn't have any trouble. Best of luck, I've been interested in this model since you started and look forward to following your progress.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Hillro

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Double Planking

First go at double planking. I pinned the planks after gluing. Found I had to do a lot of tapering at the bow and stern. I think it looks ok however I am sure it does not look like the real ship.
Run out of mahogany strips. Waiting on deliver from Hobbies.
When the pins are removed, they do leave wee holes however they fill with dust from sanding so disappear.
Liked by Colin H and RNinMunich and
5 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Think you've made a very good job of the planking, certainly wouldn't know that it was a first attempt. I'm sure she will look great when nicely varnished and in her natural element.

    Cheers, Nerys
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Double planking complete.

Finally the material to complete planking has arrived.
Finished the main hull planking, i found the rounded bow and stern the most difficult but generally found this first attempt at double planking very satisfying.
Also planked the bulwarks on the inside of the hull.
A few coats of clear varnish certainly brings out the planking.
Next is to progress with the decking, and deck fittings like windlass, hatch covers, cabin, etc.
Liked by Colin H and MouldBuilder and
6 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    She looks magnificent Hilly,
    If I'd managed that on my first attempt (or even the tenth🙄) my ghast would have been completely flabbered!😮
    Keep it up👍
    Cheers, Doug 😎
    Liked by Hillro and Martin555
  2. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Your planking looks superb and I do like the contrasting colour planks. You are getting an excellent finish too. I do like the wooden open rails around the decks. This is a model I am longing to see under sail in her natural element.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by RNinMunich and Martin555 and

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Decking, and rigging

I have not posted for some time but I have not been idle.
Decks now planked, caulking simulate with HB pencil.
Not perfect I know, used the pencil point to simulate deck fixings, started this by hand, but soon moved on to a pencil mounted in a drill. speeds up the process!
Masts and Spars
All tapered where required and made all the other bits which I don't know the names. Maybe I should learn and forget just as quickly.
These took some time.
Just as well the kit came with good rigging plans!
Next is the deck furniture, like the anchor winch, deck hatches and cabin.
Liked by Inkoust and Colin H and
4 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    I do like this boat, The open rails around the deck, those fancy gudgeons and pintles on the rudder, the planked deck, how could anyone not like. The drawings of the sail plan look quite complicated but from a full size point of view, pretty accurate. How many of the sails will you be able to control with servos? I presume she is to be a working, sailing model. Will you rely on interior ballast or are you planning some sort of removable ballast keel.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by RNinMunich and Martin555

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Deck fittings

The ship's boat was carved out of a solid block of wood supplied with the kit. I was not quite sure how to go about it but I chain drilled the internal of the boat and chiseled out the interior. Then a combination of craving and sanding with a dermal.
Cabin made from parts from the kit. The windlass was made from scratch. I did a bit of research on this and you will see the latching mechanism.
I have prepared all the masts and spars but still have to fit some details to the hull like stern Windows.
Liked by Inkoust and Ronald and
2 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    What a lovely job you've made of the ship's boat. The whole Galiot looks beautiful. Excellent attention applied to all the woodwork on and even the deck itself. A model to be proud of.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Martin555
  2. Martin555
    Fleet Admiral
    Excellent work Hillro.
    She is looking better each time we see an update.
    Keep up the good work.

    Martin555.
    Liked by Hillro

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Windlass and Anchors

Anchors and associated ropes in place.
Made a start on the rigging. Shrouds in place.
Rat tails are going to take some time and patience.
Liked by Inkoust and jbkiwi and
3 comments
  1. jbkiwi
    Fleet Admiral
    Lovely job Hillro, obviously you have truckloads of patience with the fine detail. Looking forward to seeing it in the water.

    JB
    Liked by Hillro and Martin555
  2. Ronald
    Fleet Admiral
    I just viewed the build since the beginning of your work. Truly a fine work of craftsmanship you are displaying. The hours of thought, and planning have paid off to produce this fine model. I, like others look forward to its completion and display.

    Thank you for sharing and encouraging others to stay the course.
    Liked by Hillro and Martin555

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Hillro #10 of 12 2

Prep of Sails

This came in a preprinted sheet of sails.
Had to invest in a sewing machine £50 from China. I was surprised at its quality and ability to provide 10 different stitches.
I had to practice with some scrap cloth.
Cut out the sails using a disc cutter, leaving a 5mm border to allow folding and stitching.After that hand stitched a cord round the edge of the sail.
As you can imagine this took a bit of time and a LOT of patience.
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