Nutshell Sailing Pram
Now Complete! -SOLD on commission-
This is a commissioned job and the first open sailing craft that I will be putting into a bottle. The nutshell sailing pram is probably one of the most well known, by name, of the little prams. It is attractive, sturdy, and quite functional as a rowing and sailing dinghy.
This one in particular is called "Nutkin" and is often sailed by a young boy.
Click on the images below to enlarge them.
Carving Complete
This image shows the nutshell, finally carved. The dinghy was carved from the block of wood it is attached to and was not the easiest task with its chines and overall shape.
The dime is for scale.
The dime is for scale.
Cut off its block
This is usually the final stage before entering it into the bottle, however since I wanted to get the shape of the hull as accurate as possible I cut it off earlier to reach the underside with my carving tools.
Painted, added seats & rudder
With its new coat of paint, little "nutkin" is really looking great!
The chines are still visible. It's top chine will eventually be green.
The chines are still visible. It's top chine will eventually be green.
Here's a good shot of the rear seat with its corner details. And, you can see the hole in the forward seat where I will step the mast.
Ready for the Bottle
The top chine has been painted and all details are added to the pram, including the hand made little boy to steer the boat. The mast is stepped through the hole in the seat and the full rig is attached, complete with reefing lines, numbers on the sail, and their red flame.
The picture to the left, shows good detail of the knees forward and aft on the boat, painted green to match the stripe, as well as the curvature of the sail as if receiving a nice breath of wind. The centerboard is located forward of the middle seat, painted white with a wood finished trim.
Unlike full ships or sailboats, there is no standing rigging on a nutshell.
Little "Nutkin" is finally ready to go in the bottle!
Unlike full ships or sailboats, there is no standing rigging on a nutshell.
Little "Nutkin" is finally ready to go in the bottle!
A Pretty Boat in a Nice Bottle
"Nutkin" has been inserted into a nice square bottle. The overall length of the bottle on its side is 6 1/2 inches long, by 4 inches high.
There's light wave action in the "sea," as a little boy is steering it.
Bottom right picture shows an unusually clear bottom on a bottle, making this ship in bottle quite nice, in that it can be viewed from all angles.
It is quite a sturdy and thick walled bottle with few distortions, but enough to make it interesting.
There's light wave action in the "sea," as a little boy is steering it.
Bottom right picture shows an unusually clear bottom on a bottle, making this ship in bottle quite nice, in that it can be viewed from all angles.
It is quite a sturdy and thick walled bottle with few distortions, but enough to make it interesting.
Port Side view. Good detail of the mast and sail.
