Thames Spritsail Barges Version 7.3b

** Please note: these are older models now that have been superseded by the 'Mark II's', which are with one exception payware. I have left these freeware models available for all who wish to have them, but the Mark II's are of a higher quality. Please see under 'Related Items' below **

I've had a lifelong love affair with Thames spritsail barges since first spending time aboard one aged nine or ten, so it's my absolute pleasure to now bring this classic design to Second Life for the first time.

This pack contains six models featuring different mast and sail configurations inspired by real-world barges. Please download and save the .pdf guide from the link below for more information on sailing them and on using the control HUD.

** 24 May 2020: first refit up to V6.0 - improved hull and sail shapes, improved sail textures & new anchor on all models; improved furled sail on 'Agamemnon' **

** 7 August 2020: second [mid-life] refit up to V7.0b - fleet brought to the same standard as barge Nr.8 'Iolanthe' in the Vintage Coasting set:

* port and starboard leeboards are now independently controllable in prototypical fashion; leeboards' pivot point adjusted
* An internal hold is now fitted, with opening hatches and changeable loads
* twin animated propellers fitted; 4 forward & 2 reverse motor gears
* minor improvements to details, fittings & scripts

Change between the six different loads or an empty hold on all models by saying in local chat:

coal
sand
stone
rubble
hay
dung
empty

All other functionality is controlled by the revised HUD, which uses a different channel to the previous V6.0.

** 16 October 2020: minor refit to V7.3b - various detail improvements **

I must record my immense thanks to my friend Jero Ramo for all his fabulous scripting help, to my Second Life landlady Claire for all her support, encouragement, scripting and modelling assistance, and to Jonny Slim my long-suffering Beta-tester!. It's true to say that without these three this project wouldn't have been half what it's become.