I made the comment about focusing on CSS Alabama's master. Then......................
There are 14 ports/hatches on the stern of CSS Alabama. I'm damned if I can figure out if they are windows for the captain's cabin, or hatches at the main deck level. References disagree. I got stymied about what to do, so I did other waterline ship stuff!!
The CT-56 Ketch under full sail.
Obvious flaws:
I rushed up the windows and skylights. They could have been much neater.
I forgot to paint the booms.
The Genoa sail (the one on the front) and mainsail are too short. The mizzen sail is pretty good, but could use stiffeners as it goes up.
The bow pulpit rails should curve down to the deck.
I didn't add the P/E wheel for the helm.
Coffee filters are as close to scail sail thickness as it gets, but the paper-texture is less than impressive up close.
I am also not such a Nut that I will run any rigging lines in this scale. Actual 1/700 scale rigging would be nearly invisible, or lines and sheets would be the diameter of an Elephant's leg.
What have we learned with this first scail sail attempt?:
Detail the Ketch's hull and deck BEFORE putting any masts on Her. Take more time on the portholes, windows and skylights.
Build the masts, booms and sails and add them to the model as sub-assemblies. Hint! Leave extra mast at the bottom of them to fit them to the boat.
Paint/coat the coffee filter sails for better opacity, taking care not to make then too heavy or thick. Some color wouldn't hurt anything.
This 56-footer joins Corsair in the 1/700 Bermuda Lighthouse set. She's nice enough for the box art, but not for display in model contests.
So many real pleasure sailboats are overall white. There is little shade out on the Big Blue, so white fiberglass decks are the norm. The really expensive yachts have actual wooden decks and a Kid to keep up the finish on them as a necessity.
Painting the hull gives a skipper one more thing for the Ocean to beat up. I couldn't bear a boring, plain white boat!
The paint scheme was designed to give the CT the look of a false bow wave. Not that any submarine or torpedo bomber would waste a fish on such a small target.
Not truly a try at camouflage, it does break up her hull profile. The huge white sails do not add to the illusion whatsoever.
Well handled, a really experienced, qualified Captain might get as much as 14 knots out of such a vessel, in a stiff wind, with every sail She carries flying. He would likely be wet most of the time. It would still be great fun! "Don't barf INTO the blooody wind, ye Great Git!!"
This was good practice for USRC Caleb Cushing's masts, yards, booms and sails!
Thanks again for looking in!