Wednesday 10 April 2013

Full or Half Sail

As you know I have been looking after my nephew so there's not too much real progress. That said I have managed a very little. Here is a quick update on the planned BBIB game for the Broadside show in June. One of the issues with the trail game over 2 weeks ago now is being able to tell a ships speed. Obviously speed in a Napoleonic naval game is reliant on several factors including the wind. Other than the weather, ships in BBIB may set themselves one of 4 speeds. In order they are Anchored, No sails/ Drifting, 1/2 Sail or Full sail. Needless to say ships at anchor don't move at all, while drifting ships will move a certain distance in the direction of the wind. Half Sail and Full Sail, are the settings used by far the most in the game. I needed to make an easy way of identifying if the ships are fully rigged or half sailed without getting more ships and chopping sails off. Given that a ships captain would easily be able to tell what any opponents sail settings would be and thus be able to anticipate their respective speeds.
 My solution is to show this in creating wake markers for each ship. Having made 12 of each I now have sufficient for all the ships we are likely to use either now or on the day. These are 2mm MDF bases 20x40mm and 20x20mm for full sail and half sail respectively. I am first to admit that they will not win any painting competitions, but they will function as I require them too.

That's it for today. I appreciate that it's not the most exciting blog post in the world but it has moved the Broadside game on ever so slightly. Thanks for reading Next post on Friday. Take care till then, all the best folks.

18 comments:

  1. That's quite an elegant solution, Clint. Well done.

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  2. A simple and effective idea, much better than using garish counters or something

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  3. Hi Clint,

    That is a very simple and neat solution - and one which I shall mention to the club wooden walls expert, Mr Fox. For steam powered ships a white bent pipe cleaner about an inch long folded into a V and placed on the ship bow also makes a good speed indicator.

    The models look lovely by the way and I am looking forward to seeing them at Broadside.

    All the best,

    DC

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    1. Thanks David. Please do tell Mr Fox. It's one of the great things about wargamers that we all share ideas and info. I'll definitely look at pipe cleaners in a new light now. Once the terrain boards arte built I will intend to expand into different periods and the transition period between sail and steam does appeal, but I am looking 9 months in the future now.

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    2. Hi Clint,

      Could you email me at roguejedi@btinternet.com as I have a coupleof things you may find useful....;-)

      All the best,

      DC

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  4. What a clever idea, great job Sir.

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  5. Good idea Clint. Will look quite effective on the table as well :D

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    1. Thanks Brummie. I will do a pic on the boards when they are all set up. I'm quite pleased with them, they should do the job.

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  6. The simplest solutions are sometimes the best and this one is right up there.

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  7. good job Clint, a solution heartily supported by the author!

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    1. A solution supported by the author of the rules. I feel Faint!

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    2. With your permision I would like to add this idea to the download/new rule page with some downloadable templates. Its ok, doesn't mean we are married or anything :)

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  8. It's a clever idea Clint. Good thinking.

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    1. Without being "big headed" I am quite pleased with the solution. Thanks Brian.

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