Ice Rigger - Other Worlds

[steelpillow]

But should I point out that real spars are not parallel-edged; that they actually taper from the mast out to the tips?

Yes. they are. But not in this universe.

The convention in this culture is to build the spars hollow, as this is lighter than a solid spar of the same strength.
The inner diameter is tapered instead, with the wall thinnest at the ends.
It is done this way to allow the use of standard fittings across the span of the spar, greatly easing maintenance and repairs when out and away on the wild ice.

[PR19_Kit]

The convention in this culture is to build the spars hollow, as this is lighter than a solid spar of the same strength.
The inner diameter is tapered instead, with the wall thinnest at the ends.
It is done this way to allow the use of standard fittings across the span of the spar, greatly easing maintenance and repairs when out and away on the wild ice.

EXACTLY!

Kit's 2nd Rule ALWAYS applies. 

[buzzbomb]

But should I point out that real spars are not parallel-edged; that they actually taper from the mast out to the tips?

Yes. they are. But not in this universe.

The convention in this culture is to build the spars hollow, as this is lighter than a solid spar of the same strength.
The inner diameter is tapered instead, with the wall thinnest at the ends.
It is done this way to allow the use of standard fittings across the span of the spar, greatly easing maintenance and repairs when out and away on the wild ice.

I like the way you think 

Bit of minor work on the BFG, this is now a breech loading smoothbore, with semi automated loading mechanism. Yes, yes.. lots of reasons why this will not work. Except in this universe 


Steps, rails


Some more substantial work around the building up the sails. Next will be fitting these off, plus lots and lots of ropes which may or may not actually look like they do what they are supposed to do.


Thought about Dukw's suggestion on tissue paper, white glue which was quite sound. Ended up using the path of least effort and using paper.

[Rick Lowe]

Coming along well. ; impressive beast. 

Yeah, the lines will take you longer than you think,.
And tightening one up will loosen the one you installed previously... ask me how I know...
There are PE ratlines available, which could be your best bet for those.

[jcf]

Maybe rotate the spars so they're not at
90° to centreline of the ship? That's how
squareriggers are able to sail into the
wind and it's visually more interesting IMHO. The spars are only perpendicular when running with the wind.

I read the Foster books decades back and the biggest question I had was: how would you tack a large windjammer ice ship?
The majority of iceboats have a triangular skate layout, one fwd., two aft or vice versa, which enables the boat to tack.

[Rick Lowe]

Maybe rotate the spars so they're not at 90° to centreline of the ship? That's how squareriggers are able to sail into the
wind and it's visually more interesting IMHO. The spars are only perpendicular when running with the wind.

I read the Foster books decades back and the biggest question I had was: how would you tack a large windjammer ice ship?
The majority of iceboats have a triangular skate layout, one fwd., two aft or vice versa, which enables the boat to tack.

Yeah, I'd agree with the not-at-90-degrees thing.
As to the steering, maybe have the front, or both front and rear skates separate from the middle ones and able to turn?

And the Foster books are still good, IMHO - worth a re-read. Hmmm.

[steelpillow]

The majority of iceboats have a triangular skate layout, one fwd., two aft or vice versa, which enables the boat to tack.

As to the steering, maybe have the front, or both front and rear skates separate from the middle ones and able to turn?

Modern ice yachts have one fixed pair of side runners, and a central steering runner at either bow or stern to taste.
A land skiddoo has its drive at the back and twin steering runners at the front.

Seems to me that this beauty would benefit from twin steering bow runners. If it were me, I'd pivot each separately, beneath its own outrigger.

But this one isn't me.
Maybe it has rows of Discworld Gnomes inside the bow runners, all trained/enslaved to run sideways on command. Or they are Luggage runners. Or something....

[jcf]

The large sea-going junks had a large rudder that could be raised and lowered. The primary use was to enable entrance into river deltas, shallow bays etc., but t was also, under some conditions, used while under sail in deeper waters.

Perhaps a fwd. mounted "steering skate" that is lowered when necessary, but is pulled up against the keel when not in use. I suppose it could be mounted so that the leading point sticks out like a ram when retracted.


As a sidebar, contrary to the usual notions, junks didn't always just stay close to shore and they do well sailing into the wind. Junk rig is very adjustable and the battened sails are similar in function to "wing sails". The fore-and-aft angle against the mast and the camber of the sail can be altered at will.

[buzzbomb]

Maybe rotate the spars so they're not at 90° to centreline of the ship? That's how squareriggers are able to sail into the
wind and it's visually more interesting IMHO. The spars are only perpendicular when running with the wind.

I read the Foster books decades back and the biggest question I had was: how would you tack a large windjammer ice ship?
The majority of iceboats have a triangular skate layout, one fwd., two aft or vice versa, which enables the boat to tack.

Yeah, I'd agree with the not-at-90-degrees thing.
As to the steering, maybe have the front, or both front and rear skates separate from the middle ones and able to turn?

And the Foster books are still good, IMHO - worth a re-read. Hmmm.

Bear this in mind when they actually get fitted, rather than just plonked on for an in progress shot and to store them between sessions.

As to steering, originally was going to do the ice Steering oars, like the source image, but with the input of folks who definitely know more about ice vehicles than I do,  maybe some other method that does not require a complete re-engineering of the build from where it is. Perhaps Ice anchors on each side, like the way a tank steers.
I have ice skated two or three times, so my actual time on skatey type things is very limited. Living is Aust has its life experiences you do miss out on 

Anyhoo, short session to fit some rails. Going the 3D printed versions, bit chunkier, but far cheaper and more convenient than the PE versions I do not have

[Rick Lowe]

Those railings look fine to me. 
Maybe you could also print the ratlines? Just multi-strand tapered triangles, with lines across them in the middle.

[kerick]

Thick railings to run steam through them to prevent this;

[perttime]

I recommend one or more steerable skates/runners. Just like boats have rudders and cars have steerable wheels. Not just to turn but, on occasion, maintain direction when conditions and balance are not just right.

[jcf]

I recommend one or more steerable skates/runners. Just like boats have rudders and cars have steerable wheels. Not just to turn but, on occasion, maintain direction when conditions and balance are not just right.

Yep, and like a car front rather than rear steering. Steering from the rear isn't
advisable on a hard surface for anything
faster than a forklift*.


The huge herds of giant Zamboni slugs
that keep the ice smooth would be quite
the sight to see.

*Yes, I know about ThrustSSC, and that it
was Andy Green's least favourite feature of
the monster.

[Rick Lowe]

The huge herds of giant Zamboni slugs
that keep the ice smooth would be quite
the sight to see.

[Wardukw]

I know absolute doodoo about ships and how they sail and steer into the wind and all that but this thing just keeps getting better and better everytime I see it