The duck's foot keel I have used is a moulding produced by Dave Watts Mastman, who specialises in bits for model Thames Barges. It is a flat triangular moulding fixed horixontally at the bottom of a shortish fin keel. The whole is ballasted by pouring in the desired amount of lead shot, then filling with resin. I have put two bolts standing vertically inside the fin, they come up through two tubes in the barge's hull, suitably strengthened. Then secured with washers and wingnuts just below the hatchcovers. That's the best I can describe it. It gives a well ballasted keel, less deep than the traditional bulb and fin. From what I've seen on models sailing, the performance is similar to the traditional bulb and fin.

I'll find out soon!

Nerys

duck's foot keel !?😮

“All along the backwater,
Through the rushes tall,
Ducks are a-dabbling,
Up tails all!

Ducks' tails, drakes' tails,
Yellow feet a-quiver,
Yellow bills all out of sight
Busy in the river! ”
😁😎

Fitted the duck's foot keel to my new barge this evening. The fateful hour is fast approaching, sea trials are on the horizon and, yes, I'll post photos.

Cheers, Nerys

That looks fine Ken, very neat. I just have a slot on one side of the rudder and the extension drops down through. Works alright. It's one of the jobs still to do on the current barge.

Cheers, Nerys

The shallow draught of a model Thames Barge makes a rudder extension a necessity. Need only be something very simple as long as it drops down about three inches.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi
i had one back in the early 90's and the one thing that I did was to make an add on to the rudder, this helped a lot👍.

Fred

Yes, I thought that was the L.O.A. of this kit. When finished, you would be able to race her in the under 30" class of the Association of Model Barge Owners. I have a 30" but am in the finishing stages of a 42", but planning another 30" for my next project. I didn't realise there was a plastic deck already fitted. That might well suffice, but would look better if you could cover it, or even replace it in wood. I use lime strip, 1mm x 5mm as planking over 2mm ply for the decks of my barges.

Cheers, Nerys

hull length 25.5 inch boat is part built with plastic deck all ready fitted

Knew I could rely on you Commander👍👍
FLEET// 😎

Hi Jacko, if I can do anything to help I will. Barges are my 'thing'. Can you please confirm the overall length of the hull of your barge, just the basic hull, not including bowsprit or rudder. I think one of our members has recently found a kit in his loft for this barge, so probably has a sail plan, but not to worry , no problem to sort something out. If I remember correctly, this barge is shown with a bowsprit, jib, foresail and jib topsail. Bearing her size, if it was me, I would build her as a staysail barge, see my avatar, discarding the bowsprit etc, but that's up to you. I always deck my barges with ply and then lay planks on top, looks good even when you paint them (traditionally, pale blue).

Best of luck and enjoy,

Nerys

Sorry to hear of your member's death Jacko.
I'm sure you'll do a great job of finishing this model in his memory👍
Blog it please and keep the pics coming, there are lots of barge enthusiasts here who will appreciate that and be willing to help and advise as required I'm sure.
Not least our Commander Nerys 😉
Bon chance mon ami🤞
Cheers, Doug 😎