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Albatross

Albatross

Albatross

Out for a test sail in her berth waters.

Albatross

Sails and hull design

Lofting work, specifically for balancing sail plan. Note the limit of this approach is finding geometric centers and calculating the weighted center of effort. Where the rig becomes balanced and tuned is in the eye of the designer, the skill of the sailmakers.

Hull takes form

Lines lofted, keel laid and ribs fitted out, now finely cut planks are laid on. Towards the front and stern where the curvature is compound and they come together, a technique called darting is used.

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Decking

After the edge planks are nibbed to eliminate fine points, a margin plank is cut to accommodate, visible on right. This practice also makes chinking (sealing) the gaps more reliable.

Decking

Nibbing and margin planks evident on afterdeck, treenails set in as well. Helm wheel housing to be installed in opening.

Brightwork

Housings and other deck fittings taking coats of varnish.

Trimming Winch and Access

This geared servo trims the fore-and-aft rigged sails, as well as the square topsail. Fairleads route lines through through the deck to pulleys in the hull, and collect at the trim arm, currently unbolted to access servo. This arrangement served as the incontrovertible weakness of the project. Lines could jump the pulley sheaves when slack and without suitable access, the vessel was unmanageable. Some improvement was made when this access hatch was cut. Topsail reef winch visible top right.

Albatross