Made a clip-on rudder extension and took the Beagle out for a short second sail on the Fourth of July. It was more of a "float" than a sail as the wind was mostly zip with an occasional shifting breeze. But when there was a little wind the rudder seemed much more effective, letting me wear round at least to wait for the next breeze. Seemed kind of wrong flying the Union Jack on the 4th lol but I didn't have a 26-star US flag handy.

After the sail I added the fore course to the sail plan, and made a somewhat simplified beak, complete with two "seats of leisure". Sure breaks up the flat line of the bow.

Next I hand-carved a pudgy beagle figurehead using the same pear wood that I carved the hull from, which came (if you recall) from the knocked-over pear tree in the front yard of the Humane Society (where I had walked several actual beagles as a volunteer).

There's some debate if the real Beagle had a figurehead or not, but I think it adds a fun character to the ship... aka... "look mommy, there's a doggie on the front!"

Week 39