Posted by Mike Field on March 03, 2008 at 11:25:40 from 203.129.47.171 user mikefield.
In Reply to: 'Amazon' model query posted by Peter H on February 28, 2008 at 20:35:44:
My understanding of Amazon's rig would be that the sail would extend to the forward end of the yard, that the forward end of the boom would extend somewhat past the mast, and that it would be held down, probably to a belaying pin on the thwart (although for Swallow is mentioned a cleat under the thwart) by a tack line to cock the boom up at the right angle. Then when the sail is hoisted the yard would take on its proper alignment, being a good deal more vertical than that shown in the model. (The tack line for a standing lug does much what the snotter does in a sprit rig -- it's what makes the whole thing work.)
I can't tell how the pennant is fastened, but it certainly appears to be incorrect. The "right" way of doing it would be to have it on a separate staff, hoisted above the masthead.
The lacing on the yard and boom may or may not be correct (I have no memory of whether this is ever described in detail.) But being marled is probably overkill, and it would have been more likely to have been normal spiral lacing. No lacing is shown on the mast, which is correct. We also have no knowledge of whether the mainsheet is rigged correctly or not. But it appears that the aftermost reefpoint is missing, as are the cringles at both ends of the row of pendants.
It's also clear that the rudder is held in place by only one gudgeon and pintle, whereas two sets would have been used. (Some dinghies, like Aileen Louisa, use three sets.)
On the plus side, the hull is the right shape, and it's also finished correctly (ie bright, not white-painted as shown in some recent photos of Mavis as she apparently now is.)
Finally, for a centre-boarder she probably has a little more deadwood than the original would have had -- that is, her keel is more like the centre-board-less Swallow's than Amazon's would have been. But this is to be pretty picky.
All in all I'd be quite happy to own such a model, although I'd probably tweak it a bit as outlined above.