"Phoebus II"
Now Complete!
"Phoebus II" is a Swiss 3 tonneax (3 tonner). The ship has been inserted into its globe and the only thing that remains, is to make a stand. If you are interested in purchasing this SIB, please don't waste any time! As a unique and interesting bottle and boat, we expect this one to sell quickly! So, please email me with any questions, comments, or inquiries.
Click on the images below to expand them
This page has been updated: 4/21/2010
Click on the images below to expand them
This page has been updated: 4/21/2010
"Phoebus II"
My newest model is the "Phoebus II." This is a Swiss 3 tonneaux, which still sails on Lake Geneva. I have to say that each time I make a new model, they just keep getting better and better! More detail, detail, detail... I am very happy with this one.
Completed Carving the Hull
The wood is black walnut and the hull of is carved directly from a block of wood. You can see the block still attached. I usually don't cut the hull from the block of wood until the end.
Nice shot of the end of the cockpit combings, showing that fine detail. You can also see the fine stern (though magnified at this angle, which is common of these classic boats.
Painted, masts stepped, & deck is detailed
"Phoebus II" has that traditional cream/beige deck. Turn buckles are inserted and ready for rigging. She now has most of her deck details: cleats, forward hatch, main sheet track, attachments for blocks on deck and others. Dime is for scale.
Here you can see the distinct bow and fine stern shape that these boats had as well as the shear line. Quite attractive!
Close-up of mast details. There are four cleats going around the mast to tie off halyards. Halyards are cleated off and coiled, just as they would be in real life.
Traditionally these boats used hoops on the mast for attaching the main sail, however, now the sail is lashed on (the line spiraling the mast gives the idea once the sail is attached).
Traditionally these boats used hoops on the mast for attaching the main sail, however, now the sail is lashed on (the line spiraling the mast gives the idea once the sail is attached).
Rigging is complete
This is quite an exciting stage because you know you're really turning the corner to completion. On ships with more mast and sails rigging is often the most time consuming process.
She now has her spreaders on the mast and three shrouds on both sides. The running backstay and main sail sheets are complete and cleated off. The sheets and other lines are actually tied to cleats as they would be on a real boat.
She is now ready to receive her sails.
She now has her spreaders on the mast and three shrouds on both sides. The running backstay and main sail sheets are complete and cleated off. The sheets and other lines are actually tied to cleats as they would be on a real boat.
She is now ready to receive her sails.
Sails are Attached
She now has her sails. The sails are made from paper and the lines are drawn on the sail to represent the way the sails are constructed of strips of material. The batons are drawn in and the numbers are added to the sail with the traditional 3 tonneax symbol (three lines under the numbers).
Also, because it is a Swiss boat, I have added the Swiss 1/2 Franc for scale (same size as a dime).
Also, because it is a Swiss boat, I have added the Swiss 1/2 Franc for scale (same size as a dime).
Cut off its block
The last stage of work before inserting the boat into the bottle is cutting it off the block of wood. This is not always easy, however it went smoothly for this one.
This photo also gives you a good look at the sails and the way they are curved as if taking a nice breeze.
This photo also gives you a good look at the sails and the way they are curved as if taking a nice breeze.
Inside its bottle!
For the sake of keeping secret the art of inserting the ship into the bottle and leaving it as a sort of magical mystery, I have left out images of how I put it inside.
I must say that it is the most stressful stage of construction of the SIB. If something goes wrong there may often be little to do to resolve the problem.
Specially handcrafted tools are used to reach inside the typical bottle, and each individual bottle shape has its own set of difficulties.
I must say that it is the most stressful stage of construction of the SIB. If something goes wrong there may often be little to do to resolve the problem.
Specially handcrafted tools are used to reach inside the typical bottle, and each individual bottle shape has its own set of difficulties.
This container is very unique and the first I have completed of its kind! Because it is a globe, you can see the boat from every angle without the distortions typical of a bottle. It is 6" in diameter and the overall height of the boat is 4 1/2".
Stand Complete
Attractive, not distracting, and simple stand with a rope detail.