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Skippercraft runabout by DBorgens - 1:16 scale


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When I was a boy, we owned a Skippercraft runabout in which I enjoyed fishing and cruising in Puget Sound. I’ve been building ship models now for several years and finally decided to model this runabout for my father. My goal is to complete this for his 91st birthday in October, ambitious but doable. We’ll see how this goes. Our boat was a 17-foot model, so I chose to use 1/16 (3/4 inch) scale which will provide a nicely sized model. This is my first scratch build.

 

The Skippercraft was a simple plywood runabout built in the late 1950’s by Larsen Marine on Vashon Island. I looked for plans but could not find any, nor could I find any photos of this boat. Ours had a 35 horsepower Johnson outboard motor, of which I was able to find photos.

 

This spring, the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma invited our club to demonstrate modeling. Surprise! There sat a Skippercraft runabout right in front of our tables. Needless to say, I spent a few hours pouring over the boat making measurements and taking photos. A museum associate explained that these boats were often built without plans. The builder would construct a prototype from which he would make forms for production once he was happy with the design.

 

Skippercraft in Foss Waterway Seaport

Skippercraft-Foss-1.thumb.jpg.9fbab7d8ff4e0373dc12979c757fb789.jpg

Skippercraft-Foss-2.thumb.jpg.4ec3d85d3dc56b95fc9268e4cb7a88f4.jpgSkippercraft-Foss-3.thumb.jpg.0dd00de48f806eec4c3265bf2b212729.jpg

 

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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The frames are boxwood and the hull sheeting will be maple. While waiting for the wood, I started carving the motor power head. Working from photos and measurements of a similar motor I’ve made a fair start with some spots to fill. Wow, boxwood is certainly nice for carving.

Motor at Foss Waterway

Motor-Foss-Waterway.thumb.jpg.feea3c3387475f5639b8715939548df3.jpg

Powerhead carving. The color differences are due to shifting the lights on my workbench.

Motor-carving-side.thumb.jpg.0a5d4f83faa118ec4358af87211f6873.jpgMotor-carving-iso.thumb.jpg.35bbfc45160c56288f789e600505a3ee.jpg

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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1 hour ago, DBorgens said:

Patrick,

Welcome, you certainly did. I am amazed at the details you manage to get into such small models. Love your work.

 

Thanks for the compliments. I love what I do, so I guess that gives me the patience and determination to try to put as much detail as possible in my boats. Whilst far from perfect, at least they look good to my eye. 

 

Have a wonderful journey building your boat. I know that your Dad will be very chuffed with the final result!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

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Dave,

Count me in.  This looks to be a fascinating build.  You're off to a good start on the motor.

Mark
"The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me

Current Build:                                                                                             
Past Builds:
 La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD           Triton Cross-Section   

 NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit                                                                            HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64               

 

Non-Ship Model:                                                                                         On hold, maybe forever:           

CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed                                                   Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)         

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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  • 4 weeks later...

[Oops, I just realized I had this ready to go at the end if June and did not post.]

I received the wood (thank you Jason!) and started frame construction. There are only three frames plus the transom. I am following the production pattern in piecing the frames. The photo shows frame 2 nearly finished and frame 3 pieces.

Frame-construction.thumb.jpg.9526b3f1a6b3c35cbe41e149f521ea84.jpg

The prototype picture shows how the boat was assembled. You can see the bolts attaching the sheeting and deck to the frame. Note, the vinyl seat is not part of the prototype, these were loose in the boat.

Prototype-frame-3.thumb.jpg.0764d8ed61b08178bd5697d2641338a5.jpg

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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I’ve made progress framing the boat. Slow going, but we have taken some wonderful hikes recently and my fence and gate repair is coming along.

Mt Rainier from Freemont lookout.

Mt-Rainier.thumb.jpg.d1426ba2ebc25237c560db1cf9383f9b.jpg

After installing the keel, I cut and shaped the stem. This was a fiddly part with much fitting and checking hull fairing. Shaping became an exercise of much scraping (using a #10 blade) and sanding. When I think I need a little more, I have to remind myself there is no perfect. I notched the stem for the stringers for strength as the stringers are butted against the stem in the prototype. There is a bump between the first two frames that I need to take down a bit. The forward frame is temporary and will be removed once the boat is off the board.

I added chine stringers and the wider mid hull stringers this afternoon. These were more troublesome than anticipated, requiring constant measuring and viewing the hull for shape and symmetry. I measure, sand, realign and re-measure time and again. Nothing like a kit where if it looks good it is good.

I have a final stringer to add at the deck level which is not in the full size boat. It appears the Larsen built the hull using the deck to set the hull shape, especially at e the bow. Since I am building on inverted frames this would be very difficult. The added stringer will be hidden by the deck.

Framing-July-19.thumb.jpg.486d331d9b59b92ab1af93514327289c.jpgFraming-quarter-July-19.thumb.jpg.dce594cf24417c25248a09a52c37bec3.jpgFraming-side-view-July-19.thumb.jpg.f91cabe0f1b55861289d8f2045cd763c.jpg

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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  • 3 weeks later...

Patrick, thank you and I really love the mountains around here. I do apologize for the slow updates, summer keeps getting in the way. More hiking, yeah!

I have started on the hull sheeting by making patterns from card stock and transferring them to 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) maple sheet. The sides formed up well after a hot soak and overnight drying while clamped. I’ve made each bottom sheet of three pieces due to the curvature of the bow as it is in the full size boat. I’m about ready to assemble these to the hull frame.

Forming-hull-sheet-July-27.thumb.jpg.5a7401f0fd0e0ca89680bb218abe1470.jpg

 

Forming-bow-Aug-2.thumb.jpg.ca8438ffb3cfb8913bbf9e7b195982fa.jpg

 

While hull pieces were drying, I made some progress on the motor lower unit. I will cut this in three pieces to add fins and the propeller shaft and skeg. I cut the outline on a jig saw and am shaping with miniature files and scraping with a #10 X-acto blade.

Unfortunately, I just discovered I made a design error and will have to make a new one. Makes for good carving practice anyway. The motor is not  needed for quite a while so no hurry.

 

Lower-unit-carving-July-27.thumb.jpg.4503bc6d2db5b9d129129ded262f2c5b.jpg

 

That's about it for now.

 

Hull-sheeting-July-27.jpg

Edited by DBorgens
Removed extra picture.

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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Thank you for the likes.

The time spent forming has paid off. I installed the side sheets relatively quickly today. These are fitting nicely so far. I’ll find out when I try to close the last sheets near the bow. The admiral mentioned that she is finally starting to look like a boat.

Side-sheets-Aug-5.thumb.jpg.31ffa8ab917cd2508c04ddd664a55e79.jpg

 

Side-sheets-aft.thumb.jpg.29264a52991ba2811c584c47de1e14a7.jpg

The grain in appears to be planks, pure luck. The odd curvature near the prow is a slight warping in the overlap of the sheet. A little trimming will straighten this out.

Side-sheet-bow-Aug-5.thumb.jpg.98f27c73cf79347bfe13e206e55a9826.jpg

That's it for now.

Edited by DBorgens
added text.

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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  • 4 weeks later...

An update of hull sheeting.

I removed the hull before completing the sheeting to help shape and install the last parts. I also found I needed to cut the last sheets into smaller pieces due to the compound curvature of the sheet. It was just too much for a single piece, even when well soaked in hot water. Removal allowed me to make the parts more accurate though they are not nearly as close as I wished.

I have since trimmed the parts and started filling the gaps. I am using sanding dust and white glue as the interior will be clear coated. The gaps are not as large as they appear in the rough. They are also in the bow under the fore deck which will not easily be seen.

First bow sheets.Bow-sheeting-0-Aug-18.thumb.jpg.5d7e2c88d413e9d2acacfd2d8f2af3f9.jpg

 

Off the board (the forward frame is temporary and has since been removed).Off-the-board-Aug-18.thumb.jpg.e52bd52413e34e3a9a25863722463085.jpg

 

Last sheet. Oh the gaps!

Bow-sheeting-3-Aug-18.thumb.jpg.90942e4e38e9484463b46d4fed54b867.jpg

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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  • 4 weeks later...

 Chine strakelets

One unique feature of this boat is the small strakelet along the chine. I formed the strakelets from 1/16 square boxwood by sanding down one side with a simple jig (1/16 square brass tubing glued to an aluminum sheet).

Strakelet section

Strakelet-detail-Sep-16.thumb.jpg.7298450b63468222b013e1dd677e2d64.jpg

 Strakelet comparison to full size boat. It still looks large in the pictures but is less pronounced to the eye.

 

Bow-strakelet-2.thumb.jpg.998ae6d5a380aeb3383f0d440b3f7e28.jpgPrototype-bow.thumb.jpg.469cbcf570d2a166a1ea48a4d0411f99.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transom comparison also showing the transom box.

Stern-quarter-2.thumb.jpg.f81b801aee48b757892019609f0b967c.jpgPrototype-stern-quarter.thumb.jpg.4cc6e1f59a8e9dbc61f64ea08e68d701.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transom box

The 17 foot Skippercraft has a transom box for the outboard motor. Like much on this boat, the box is dead simple, just have to mind the angles.

Transom-box-Sep-21.thumb.jpg.3a387d958d3a3a46f537fec059cc5765.jpg

On to the interior details.

 

Edited by DBorgens

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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David,

I am so glad I found your build log.

Also that we have met at the Foss museum during the PSSM meeting.

This scratch build is coming together great. Looking forward to seeing this boat again.

 

Per

 

Please, visit our Facebook page!

 

Respectfully

 

Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics 
593661798_Keepitreal-small.jpg.f8a2526a43b30479d4c1ffcf8b37175a.jpg

Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan

Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS

Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey

Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry

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Per,

I look forward to seeing you af Foss Waterway. Hopefully I will have some furniture installed. I'm working on the aft bench.

 

Edited by DBorgens

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have been working on cabin details since these will be installed before the deck. I build and installed the bench structure but have not cut out the swing portion of the seat (sitting loose in the photo). The space beneath the bench stores the battery and other gear that doesn't mind getting dirty or wet. Since this is effectively bilge space items will get wet so the battery was contained in a fiberglass enclosure.

 

I also made some plugs to see how they would look. I damages one on (temporary) installation and will have to make a new one.  I am continuing with the front seats and forward details. Will have pictures as I install them.

 

We returned to the Foss Waterway museum today so I got a picture of the boat with "daddy". A rice bag protects the hull and makes a fair working support.

 

Bench seat

Bench-Oct-5.thumb.jpg.6d3d938883f3202d4a9feda907e5d3a6.jpg

Plugs

Plugs-Oct-4.thumb.jpg.b99806e5a9ad655a357ffc517aed69a0.jpgPlugs-installed-Oct-4.thumb.jpg.77155abfe930ec90f396a3b6d895ef04.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With daddy

With-prototype-Oct-14.thumb.jpg.da2d4e979c7876c213af2b7e27c2a445.jpg

Edited by DBorgens
Correct picture placement.

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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Dave,

We had a great time at The Foss.

The progress of your scratch build is coming together quick. I hope you can meet the deadline.😀

My project is almost done, and I will be uploading pictures with a build log in the next day or two.

 

 

Please, visit our Facebook page!

 

Respectfully

 

Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics 
593661798_Keepitreal-small.jpg.f8a2526a43b30479d4c1ffcf8b37175a.jpg

Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan

Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS

Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey

Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry

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  • 3 months later...

Wow, it has been a long time since my last update. I have been slow but but not idle.

The forward seat parts were simple to make but tricky to install. I’m learning slowly how to build mostly square seats in a boat with no right angles and few flat surfaces. Aligning the seat parts was fiddly, requiring a few attempts. Some Lego blocks helped provide some support for gluing. I am satisfied with the result.Forward-seats-Dec-4.thumb.jpg.dba4601720071d3655f5e975151a8314.jpg

One difference between our boat and the one at Foss Waterway, ours had a partition enclosing the bow storage area. The partition is attached to the first frame and has a small sliding hatch. As a child it was my job to retrieve items from here (small boys are useful for something!).

Fwd-cabin-Dec-8.thumb.jpg.7544c319c9aa25316b91acadde831cb2.jpg

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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Bits and Pieces

I made the throttle control by laminating 1/32 sheet and 1/64 plywood. This was the best way to support the levers in position. The first photo shows the slots to hold the throttle at the idle position and the shift lever in neutral. The levers are brass strips with small beads for handles and will be installed later.

Throrrle-body-Dec-17.thumb.jpg.f586f96e01fe5573490f265706401fd8.jpgThrottle-pieces-Dec-17.thumb.jpg.5705018dd080b626a9c94b998d8ea60f.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The speedometer face was drawn large and printed at a very small scale. I chose the darker one. The photo shows all of the tiny imperfections. Patrick, how do you build in such small scale? My fingers are not that skilled.

Speedos-Dec-17.thumb.jpg.f4dfe314fcd32d96f6a4842d4a28bb84.jpg

Unable to find a commercial steering wheel the right size, I soldered one from brass tubing and sheet. The result is acceptable though not as round as I would like. My ambitions exceed my skills (don’t we all?).

Bits-n-pieces-Dec-17.thumb.jpg.2c21114fbda169a91688ea8253033431.jpg

The gray part with wires in the photo is the compass body. I will paint the top black to resemble the dial and will make a small base. I will not even attempt to print the dial, it would be invisible.

 

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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The steering pulleys are laminated thin styrene to make the groove easier. The full size pulleys are 2-1/2 inch diameter. I found some fine beading wire for the steering cable. The wire is .014 in (.36 mm) diameter, 21 strand with a clear coating. Very fine strands indeed. This is almost ¼ inch diameter in scale (the boat uses 1/8 in cable) but it looks right.

 

Pulley2-Jan-28.thumb.jpg.1847fd832723049ef64c353aa83f703a.jpgPulley1-Jan-28.thumb.jpg.5d69df2cea2c5ed59b8eb465b6314cec.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beading-wire-Jan-29.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pictures below show the deck installed along with the details added earlier. The throttle and shift cables are 1/32 styrene rod painted black. There is a small step in the deck at the corner of the windshield so I covered the foredeck with thin ply. Some filling and sanding then I can paint the hull.

Cabin-Fwd-qtr-Jan-18.thumb.jpg.4dccf0d6b2e6a3870f3a2ce9efaa8719.jpgCabin-aft-qtr-Jan-18.thumb.jpg.c05302832f9b78aaa10bd892aae0fc43.jpg

Edited by DBorgens
Corrected picture placement.

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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Catching up. I have finished the anti-fouling paint (actually just red, satin spray paint). Yesterday I set the waterline. I prefer the laser level method as I find it easier to see the line on curved surfaces. It worked out well on my Bluenose. You can just see the laser along the hull. I used tape pointers to identify the line and set the masking tape. In the second picture, two pointers identify where the waterline intersects the strakelet edges. I sprayed the first coat of black this morning so I am updating this log while it dries. What else would I do in a chilly, rainy Monday?

Shooting-waterline-Jan-28.thumb.jpg.c2ea8001523aebb90a56e8571b240633.jpg

Taping-waterline-Jan-28.thumb.jpg.2bc2f3f86fd5b379eefa9bcacaab0993.jpg

Current build: HMS Pegasus, English Pinnace (on hold)

Completed build: MS BluenoseSkippercraft

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Very nice progress Dave!

 

Please, visit our Facebook page!

 

Respectfully

 

Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics 
593661798_Keepitreal-small.jpg.f8a2526a43b30479d4c1ffcf8b37175a.jpg

Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan

Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS

Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey

Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry

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On 1/29/2018 at 7:02 PM, DBorgens said:

rainy Monday?

Dave,

 

Something a little different, nice build reminds me in a way of my old 21 foot Thompson lapstrake. Looking forward to the end.

 

John Allen

 

Current builds HMS Victory-Mamoli

On deck

USS Tecumseh, CSS Hunley scratch build, Double hull Polynesian canoe (Holakea) scratch build

 

Finished

Waka Taua Maori War Canoe, Armed Launch-Panart, Diligence English Revenue Cutter-Marine  Model Co. 


 

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Hi Dave 

 

I’m thoroughly enjoying following your Build Log.  One thing that’s really apparent from your Log, is that, even though the boat is a ‘small boat in real life’, there’s still a fair degree of complexity to it.  This is witnessed by the myriad of small parts that you’re building, from the steering wheel, to the benches and the dials.  

 

All in all, lovely work!

 

Cheers. 

 

Patrick

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