Xebec 1/1000 from Shapeways

**Capn Duff** · 10-29-2015, 08:42

Just been perusing Shapeways, as you do, saw this which some may find of interest

http://www.shapeways.com/product/NH2...ionId=42429744

The shop also does 1/1000 HMS Surprise from Master and Commander. Not sure if scale is correct as this model looks a bit dumpy.

**Nightmoss** · 10-29-2015, 09:05

Thanks for the heads up. The Xebec looks pretty good.

**Naharaht** · 10-29-2015, 09:46

It is good to see some more 1/1000 scale ships in Shapeways catalogue. Thank you for letting us know, Chris.

**TexaS** · 10-29-2015, 14:40

I saw that Surprise earlier but that hull looked a little weird. I got a little skeptical to that designer. Is any of the other stuff better?

**Naharaht** · 10-29-2015, 15:13

If the Surprise model is inaccurate, perhaps it could be used as a merchantman.

**Union Jack** · 10-29-2015, 15:49

It's the front end of the Surprise that put me off. Was certain the detailing would have been a lot better even at that scale.

**Bligh** · 10-30-2015, 03:32

I'm afraid that they really do not impress me at all.
Rob.

**Capn Duff** · 10-30-2015, 11:55

I thought they may be ok as Merchantmen myself, not as gameships.
Forgive my ignorance here, but was the Xebec solely a Med ship?

**Naharaht** · 10-30-2015, 12:23

The xebec could be used as a pirate ship, merchant ship or a slave trader, I suppose.

Wikipedia states that they were used in the Mediterranean. There were even some in the French and Spanish navies. I do not suppose that it would be too much out of place to use one in a scenario in the Black Sea, Persian Gulf, off the East African Coast, off the West African coast or Spain's West coast.

**Bligh** · 10-31-2015, 01:57

I would be very wary about venturing out of the Med in these boats.
Here is a quote from the blog "Sailing Power"

"Xebecs were very fast sailors in almost any heading to the wind including close hauled or tacking. The sails could be replaced with different sized sails depending on the circumstance, and the rig was designed for easy conversion. The downside was that the rig was designed for light winds common to the Mediterranean, and thus not very good in high seas. Also changing tacks was a manpower issue as the boom had to be switched to the other side of the mast."

Although this rule set is not directed at SOG it may give a few hints about how we can translate some of the attributes of this type of vessel to fit into our scenarios.
Hope it helps.
Rob.

XEBEC –CHEBEC – POLACRE - FELUCCA RULES.
A Xebec is a special type of warship used in the Mediterranean. It was used predominantly by the Moors, Barbary Coast Pirates and other Arab or North African groups as well as the Spanish and French navies. The Royal navy also used them in the Mediterranean, as did other navies on occasion of capturing one.
The design seems derived from the galleys of old, albeit with less oars due to the addition of cannon, and much improved sailing qualities. The Barbary pirates and other Arabic nations used galleys and were a menace to European shipping, but if the merchants were escorted by a warship, the broadsides could eliminate the oar-driven vessels quickly. The merchants could flee under sail and leave the pirates with no prizes.
In order to be able to run away or even stand up to a fight, galleys needed to be upgraded. The result was a sailing ship with the capacity to carry guns. Rowers were removed to fit the cannons, and the hull was widened to achieve greater stability for the added weight.
The foremast of the xebec was traditionally raked (bent) forward while the main was straight. There were no topmasts. The immense lateen yards were actually two spars lashed together wish rope at the thicker ends to form one. The hull had considerable overhang at the bow and stern. The bow generally was shaped into a ram, perhaps a throwback to its galley lineage. The bow had a boom instead of a traditional multi-piece bowsprit.
Xebecs were very fast sailors in almost any heading to the wind including close hauled or tacking. The sails could be replaced with different sized sails depending on the circumstance, and the rig was designed for easy conversion. The downside was that the rig was designed for light winds common to the Mediterranean, and thus not very good in high seas. Also changing tacks was a manpower issue as the boom had to be switched to the other side of the mast.
Many of the features of a xebec are also found on its smaller cousin, the Felucca, and the Polacre, basically a xebec with one or two of its masts square rigged.
Rules for these vessels
Vessel types are highlighted in bold for ease of determining what class each rule effects.
Xebecs and Feluccas have a larger then average sail crew –usually double that of a traditional vessel at least. The sail crew must be divisible by two. The sail crew is located on deck for damage taking purposes. There is no aloft crew. They also may not use extra sail.
No guns outside of rail swivels may be mounted on the quarterdeck or poopdeck on Xebecs, Feluccas, or Polacres.
Xebecs, Feluccas, or Polacres may move six inches under sweeps with the sail crew, and twelve inches with double sail crew.
Xebecs may ram without taking any damage except for the loss of the bowsprit.
Xebecs and Feluccas must treat a spar loss as a mast loss until a repair crew of ten replaces the spar (10 crew actions, 1 full turn after loss). The ship may not be sailing while replacing the spar (but may be rowed).
Xebecs and Feluccas must roll a D20 after sailing a plot in high wind. On a roll of one the Xebec loses a mast. This is a critical, and may be saved with standard rules
Xebecs and Feluccas may be rigged right or left to start the game. This adds two inches to every facing on the side rigged. To change the rig direction the ship may not be sailing, (but may be rowed), and requires the sail crew number of crew actions and one full turn to implement.

This may also be of interest.

http://www.oocities.org/xebecinc/info2.html

Rob.

**David Manley** · 10-31-2015, 03:07

Ships of this type would need the "red zone" made smaller than a typcal ship of heir size due to their handiness going to windward. I would also let them use the "first" red card when tacking for second card plays due to their better handling qualities when tacking. Wearing was sometimes more of a handful than for a square rigger, not sure yet how to manage that, but will put some thought into it.