Traditional Dutch Tjalk ( fits in a Bottle )

This is a tiny tiny scale model of a traditional Dutch SeaTjalk that was very common in the 18th and 19th century, but these boats are still a common sight in my area at the IJsselmeer (central Netherlands).

This specific model is designed based on the “Carpe Diem” as a present for my mothers wedding anniversary since she got married on this exact boat five years ago. Due to the scale it is a simplified model, it is designed with a 0,4mm nozzle in mind, scaling the model might be hard.

The boat is designed to be placed in a bottle but can be displayed on its own as well. When you want to have one in a bottle, the sails have to be glued on later and are flexible enough to fit though the neck.

Make sure that your bottle is the right size!

You need at least a 20mm opening and 72mm height inside the bottle

Sadly I do not have all the photos from the original square wave bottle build, that's why most of the sample photo's are made with the cylindrical bottle and with an unpainted model.

Steps to build your own ship in a bottle:

1. Print the model with no bottom layers on the hull (to be able to stick it in the clay firmly)
2. Glue on the helm and leeboard (I always use acrylic glue with PLA, it's sticky and works well)
3. Paint the hull and sails (don't glue them together yet). I haven't made an AMS version because of the scale but you are welcome to experiment and share the print profile.
4. Put blue children's clay (Play-Doh) inside the bottle with long tweezers, make waves and paint the tips white
5. Place the hull inside the bottle and push it firmly into the clay
6. Place the mast inside the hole (glue not necessary)
7. Place a drop of glue on the front of the bow (with a skewer) and push the bow-sprit in. The sails will bow under tension and you can push them to the desired side.
8. And that's it! Your model should be finished

Happy printing and good luck building your model!

And don't forget to check out my other models :)