A Helm Worthy of My Ambitions

Mario G · May 17, 2011

Roger that looks great, its something I would like on our E-32 but we don't sit still long enough to send our wheel out. what would be the next best thing?

kloudie1 · May 17, 2011

Really a classic covering.. Nice..

mcrow33 · May 17, 2011

Looks great. It may just have to be a over the winter project.

PrincessoftheLake · May 17, 2011

I had my wheel dipped coated but I would like a turkshead at the kingspoke-just like Roger's.

RAD · May 17, 2011

beautiful job....I did my own leather cover kit a few years back and my finger's still hurt plus I had to make a jig to hold the wheel upright while I did this work, My daughter stopped by when i was on the last section and was really impressed even after I told her it was a kit

Jim Seamans · May 17, 2011

Very Nice... Did that to Java's wheel a few years ago. Only took two six packs.....
He did some nice work.. thats two different lines going opposite around the wheel...

rpfrehs · May 17, 2011

Worthy Helm

Roger: Very, very nice job! You certainly are talented and have patience. I look forward to the final job after varnish.

jmayton · May 17, 2011

Mario G said:
Roger that looks great, its something I would like on our E-32 but we don't sit still long enough to send our wheel out. what would be the next best thing?

Get your self a copy of "The Ashley Book of KNOTS". With over 7000 drawings representing over 39000 knots you will be able to decorate you vessel in a very salty manner. I got my first copy when in the Navy. It was the fancywork bible when I was onboard a sea going tug, ATF 100. We used it to wrap and decorate every hand rail, stanchion, wheel, and awning frame as well as providing endless entertainment as we tried to outdo each other with our lanyards and belts.

dkdoyle · May 17, 2011

Roger Long said:
Since I'm going to spend a good part of the rest of my life behind Strider's wheel, I decided that it should be beautiful. Vince Brennen of Frayed Knot Arts

Frayed Knot Arts
416 West Woodlawn St
Philadelphia PA 19144
215-843-7207

http://www.frayedknotarts.com

did this incredible traditional fancywork.

It will now get a few coats of Shellac soaked thoroughly into the line for the traditional deep brown color and the a finish coat of Spar Varnish.

Detail of the turkshead:

And the larger turkshead at the kingspoke:

I'll post more photos when it is finished.

Nicely done.

Mary and Joseph · May 17, 2011

That looks amazing! I am imagining the boat has lots of brass and wood work. You have to send pictures of it installed. But, deep down inside, confess it, you went bonkers out of your mind somewhere in the middle of this project.

jimmcgee · May 17, 2011

Roger that is really beautiful.

I have to ask what something like that costs.

Jim

Frayed Knot Arts · May 17, 2011

Well, thank you to Roger and everyone else commenting.

I have been doing this sort of stuff for something nearing sixty years. I started learning the art from a gentleman who had himself run away to sea at the age of twelve... in 1875 to hear him tell it. He was incredibly old when I met him and I was fortunate to learn from him for three years until he passed the bar in '54 or '55... and I never stopped doing the work.

The wheel is covered in a Spanish three-strand coxcomb (which is in one continuous direction around the wheel) with 6x5 turks heads which "split" around the spokes... not something you'll find every day.

The King Spoke has the same thing but the line is twice the size so as to make it discernable under a low- or no-light condition.

[Princess, I occasionally make it out to Wisconsin in the late Fall or early Winter. A turkshead would take about two hours time.]

I will post here when I do the photo tutorial on doing a wheel, but a brief and transferrable tutorial on the Spanish and other coxcombs may be had HERE.

I am, of course, available for doing any sort of fancywork you may need... you have but to ask and cross my palm with silver.

Roger: enjoy! I would DEFINITELY add a varnish topcoat to smooth the work so it does not remove skin from your palms!

Bill Roosa · May 18, 2011

Looks very salty Roger, now all you need is another turks knot top center to mark the "rudder straight ahead", two to port and starbord made of leather and silk (some cordage that feels different to the hand) to mark 3 degrees of rudder.
I have them and highly recommend everybody mark their wheel. Allows you to tell in the dark what is going on and greatly aides when docking to immediatly go to rudder amidships when needed.

Bill Roosa · May 18, 2011

Hey Roger how much beer did you drink doing the French wips?

PrincessoftheLake · May 18, 2011

Frayed Knot Arts said:
Well, thank you to Roger and everyone else commenting.

[Princess, I occasionally make it out to Wisconsin in the late Fall or early Winter. A turkshead would take about two hours time.]
!

If you do I would love it if you would do the turkshead for me. I would be happy to cross your palm with silver or share a six pack or whatever it takes! Just let me know.