Ropework,Ship Carving and Figureheads

PATRICIA'S EAGLE'S FIGUREHEAD

This project was originally initiated for the bow of my Capri 26. In accordance with the boats name, 'Patricia's Eagle, the figurehead is a eagle with feathered plates sweeping back from the bow. Rather than include the boat name, which would be located on the transom board, I elected to indicate the boat manufacturer. Once the project was near completion, I began to have second thoughts about it's appearance on the bow of my boat. I have seen similar size fiberglass boats look very attractive with small figure- heads but am not convinced it will work on mine. This figurehead is made of poplar wood with pieces laminated together and split pegged. As in all my woodwork, and given the great variety of stains on the market, all coloring is done with stain so that the wood grain remains visable. Once stained, the piece was saturated with Smith's penetrating epoxy and varnished immediatly after the epoxy had flashed. Following this, 6 coats of varnish were applied. I am still not sure if I will mount it on my Capri 26 and am open to comments from readers. I might just have to buy another boat so I have something to put it on.

Figurehead collection on the "Cutty Sark' in London, England

Figureheads and Billet Head in the collection at Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia