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[john44]

Hi guys, what is the best way to secure the knots on rat lines ?
Dilute PVA , fabric glue, or spraying with clear lacquer
The lines are on a brigantean


John

[Jerry C]

I used a tiny dab of clear nail varnish successfully.
Jerry.

[roycv]

Also superglue with a capillary extension on the nozzle.  Just enough to seal the knot.regards Roy

[tigertiger]

Also superglue with a capillary extension on the nozzle.  Just enough to seal the knot.regards Roy

   




Just out of interest, have the knots gone white over time?

[Netleyned]

Superglue has a tendency to Wick down the strands.
Spot of nail varnish (clear) has always worked for me on all my yachts.
Ned

[Jerry C]

No change after 10 years. 

Jerry.

[Mark T]

That’s a nice ship Jerry is it the Mayflower?

[Taranis]

Golden Hind I suspect

[Jerry C]

Andy you’re correct. My uncle made it in the early 50s in a hospital bed dying of Hotchkins disease. It was in very poor condition with fish glue failing and rigging rotten. I restored it. It was his first attempt. Before he died at 21 he completed a half scale version of “Elizabeth Jonas” built by the Science Museum staff in London. He corresponded With them and copied from photos they sent him. When completed one of the builders visited him in hospital to see it. They asked him if they could have it for display as it was much finer in detail than theirs. My grandad wouldn’t part with it though. It’s still in the family but also in a dilapidated condition but too much for me to restore. I have copies of Samuel Peops drawings of the rigging of the actual ship from the Bodlean Library. With a view to restoring it I visited the Museum and met up with the Curator and he let me take loads of photos. I’ve got them on a hard drive somewhere.
Jerry.
PS. There is a blog of my restoration below. I didn’t know the name when I started and never changed the name to Golden Hind.

[Taranis]

Nice blog    Your sail work is superb

[Jerry C]

Thank you Andy. It helps knowing how the originals are made. I haven’t looked at that blog in years. That model on the left is “Elizabeth Jonas” second in the line when Drake fought The Armada.
The rigging is much finer than “Golden Hind”. Too fine for my old eyes. I suffered sever fatigue in my shoulders restoring the Hind. The figurehead of the original model was very naive, for the restoration I used a toy plastic model I found in Australia and modified to suit.
Jerry.