Nautical Research Journal 35


Figure 4.


out in a 3-4-3 pattern. Removing the corners of the stick to the lines results in a very accurate octagon. From there the corners were rounded until a regular cylinder was attained. (Figure 4, leſt to right)


However, the masts are not regular cylinders, but tapered ones. T e nature and extent of the taper can usually be eyeballed and cannot be faulted, but there is a more precise determination. On the masting drawing of Le Mercure are two small beehive-looking elements which are the tapering diagrams for the masts and bowsprit. Each horizontal line indicates the diameter at the indicated location. (Figure 5)


T ose whose shops include a precise lathe can quickly turn the cylinder down to the fi nal tapered shape. I do not have such a lathe, so here is the more low-tech solution that I use. First, the narrowest part of the mast, the top, is ground down using a sanding drum in a rotary tool until the fi nal diameter is reached. T is edge is marked with a dark pencil and remains as the rest of the tapering goes on. (Figure 6)


Figure 5. Adapted from Jean Boudriot, Le Mercure.


Figure 6.


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