Veronica - Thames Sailing Barge

Started by Jerry 001

6 updates 42 likes 32 comments
Jerry 001 Opening post

Veronica - Thames Sailing Barge

Hi
We’re scratch building the boat with plans from Sarik. She’s 1/24th scale and the original was owned by the company I first went to sea with.

We started at the end of April (2021) an do about 8 to 10 hours a week on her.
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Still planking her……..

Slow and steady. Not long until the exterior of the hull will be ready for filling, sanding and priming. 😀
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  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Even from a partly planked model, you can see why the real Veronica was such a fast barge. Good fine entry and a lovely run on her.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Martin555

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Veronica

So we have finished planking the hull filling the gaps (with car body filler), sanding down and it’s just had a second coat of primer.

Does anyone know where I can buy a lead torpedo keel weight. Really don’t fancy making one myself 😱
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10 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    I have bought small lead pellets, on Ebay, by so many Kg, which I put into small plastic bags containing 100gms and use them as ballast, easily squashed into the hull and easy to balance the hull because they will fit in almost anywhere. Builders merchants also sell rolls of sheet lead for flashing on roofs. I have bought it about 9" wide and a few yards long, can't remember now, about £25. You can cut that to size to fit in the bottom of a barge or other craft. I've used both for ballast, but if your lead bulb is heavy enough you are unlikely to need any extra ballast, unless it is for fore and aft trim.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Martin555 and RNinMunich
  2. Ronald
    Fleet Admiral
    Do you have any shooting galleries in your area where they use shot guns firing at clay pigeons? If so, they will have used shot which you will be able to buy by the lbs.
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Veronica / Mastman

Afternoon all. A quick update on our model’s progress. The RC gear has been fitted and the decking is going on. The Masts, Spas and bowsprit have been turned up.

Can anyone let me know if Mastman is still in business as I am struggling to get hold of him?

Thanks
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4 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Hi Jerry,
    The original Mastman sold out to Kevin Tinklin a little while ago, and his email is ktinklin1592@yahoo.com

    Nerys
    Liked by Martin555 and Jerry 001
  2. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Jerry, How's Veronica coming along,haven't heard for a while and are wondering if you have overcome the bulb keel problem.. I had a moulding of one from the new Mastman a few weeks ago, £25. Have partly filled it with resin and lead pellets, but ran out of resin so it is not finished yet. The bolt for attaching to the hull is in, so as soon as we can do the rest of the resin, we'll be ready to try on. Is Veronica finished otherwise? a couple of pictureswould be good.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Martin555

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Veronica update

She is coming along. The bulwarks have been made and will soon be fitted. The masts, spars and sprits have been turned and we should be getting some bits and pieces from the ‘new’ Mastman very soon. Including the keel 😀
The photos were taken last night.
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7 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Jerry, Would be nice if we could meet up and compare barges, but we do live a long way from each other. Nevertheless I think you are making a grand job of her particularly as she's your first boat. Thames Barges are my 'thing', models and the real thing. I skippered them under both sail, and power in the days when they carried cargo, so if I can help you in any way, please ask. I'm only too pleased to help.
    I shall continue to keep a weather eye on your posts.

    All the best, Nerys
    Liked by hermank and RNinMunich and

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Maiden voyage

It works 😀
Liked by ChrisG and pressonreguardless and
5 comments
  1. Ronald
    Fleet Admiral
    Well done. The sailing barge is probably one of the more challenging builds considering the volume of sail carried, the shallowness of the hull and long narrow hull without the keel design of a sailboat. Yes, most use a removable ballast but knowing it’s depth and weight is critical to a fine sailing barge. Neyrs knew this challenge and did it well.
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