Mike Dowling

Beautiful work Mike - now you're on to the fun part!
hamilton

wow Mike that's a huge leap forward from the last pics I saw!
 
Exquisite work!

So, that's the easy part done. Next the masts, spars, rigging etc etc.
 
Before I start here are some views from the mast before I start them!!
 

 

 

 

 

Hello all!
 
I have now finished the hull ! There are a few accessories like barrels etc to add but they will wait until I come to the end as I don't want them rattling about. A few bits to do on the launch as well but they also will wait.
 
Thought you would like a few pics. For the purists amongst you out there I have made a couple of minor modifications and I may give prizes for anyone that can find them!!!. The fact that it is not painted is not a modification but personal choice so no prizes for that.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

I,ll add my congratulations ,.great work  ,i don,t suppose the prize is a free weekend over the new year period ??? don,t like haggis though !!1

Let me be first to congratulate you.  Masterful job!!  I may not be eligible though for the modification prizes as I believe I may have some insider information.

Wow Mike,
 
That looks just fantastic!  Great job!  I really did like your planking (even after reading of your trials and tribulations) but the finished hull just looks so special!

Looking great Mike!
hamilton

Hi guys and gals! I'm back having completed my second deck!! A bit if a challenge owing to the 'bendy' character of wood but eventually all the bits fitted as required.
The dreaded planking gets ever closer and I am still trying to get my head round the procedure.
 
So far I understand 'fairing' the hull and don't have a problem with it. 'Lining off' is a different matter! Some people seem to advocate the use of temporary battens whilst others favour using string or similar. What I can't understand is that if you use battens without subjecting them to any lateral stress, they seem to me to sit differently from using string. The latter seems to be placing the string by eye for a pleasing curve rather than where the wood 'wants' to go. Help please!
 
Also, I assume when working out the number of planks that are needed I should measure the widest bulkhead which would be midships and divide that by the maximum width of the planking wood provided. Is that right?
 
I don't understand the purpose of a fan template. I can see that it would provide a regular taper but boats are not like that. It seems you would have to have one for the stem and one for the stern but the template starts at one point and expands theoretically to infinity so where do you start from. You see I am really struggling with the concept here!! More help please.
 
This becomes even more complicated with this particular kit and the 'nose' section of the boat is not fitted until after the first planking. It is eventually covered by the second planking.
 
The instructions advocate using as many straight pieces as possible and filling in the gaps afterwards with long wedge shaped pieces. Whilst I am sure this would do the job I am also sure that the good ship builders out there would throw up their hands in horror. What shall I do??
 
 
 

HELP!!! I thought that I was OK with my fairing but before I get in a right state can I please have some expert opinion on these photos. I think maybe I should remove quite a bit more wood to sharpen the back more and I wonder if I should take enough off the last bulkhead for it to meet the second deck. I have done my best to show you what I mean in the pics. 
 
Also for the pleasure of Cannon fodder there are a couple of pics of my bulwark that snapped. Now I have repaired it I think it will pass muster?
 

Wow, a few questions to answer there. Firstly, I did find your message after all CA, it must have been here all the time so I apologise for my senility!!
I haven't had a problem with the masts, they sit just right. Looking from the front they are straight except maybe for a wee bit of warp on the rear mast which does indeed slope very slightly backwards when viewing from the side. Can't say I notice much slope on the main though. The rear and mizzen (?) masts are indeed round pegs in square holes, the main required drilling the seating for if that makes sense.
My technique for the fairing was just a longish sanding block and sandpaper for the main hull and a smaller block for the bow and transom. I did use a small file a bit on the transom end formers. I didn't use a dremel as I find it a bit vicious though I might with the planking.  Once I had all the decks on the hull was quite rigid and stood up to my sanding abuse!! Bare in mind that the bow section on my kit is balsa blocks which are fitted and shaped after the first planking. I just hope my fairing so far is OK, time will tell.
It does occur to me CA that looking at you photos the two halves of your deck do not appear to be square. Is that me or because of your warping problems?
I can't believe that you drilled all those holes for imitation nails, I found it quite hard enough with a pencil.
For the deck planking I just put white glue on the ply only and then the planks. Unfortunately I have found that the veneer wood for the planks does vary quite a bit in width so you can't always rely on the sitting just right beside each other. Still, it all adds to challenge I guess!
 



 

Firstly, yes, I have to put holes in my beautifully repaired bulwarks as well!!
 
Secondly,
 
deep breath,
 
one plank!!!!!! (sorry strake)
 
Does this look right, I spent a while making sure there is no lateral bending.
So, what next?



 

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Hello all,
 
Thought it was time I posted an update on progress.
 
I have now finished the basic hull complete with rubbing strakes, the keel and the rudder. I made a complete mess of the rudder by gluing the hinges in the wrong places with CA glue. However, with a lot of cellulose thinner, a lot of patience and a lot of bad language I managed to get them off and start again!
 
The whole thing has had at least (!!!) two coats of satin varnish and just for good measure I veneered the edges of the bulkheads and decks on the exposed side. The time spent was worth it I think.
 
Next, all the deck accessories and fittings to be done!
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nice work Mike!

Good progress Mike, congrats! I wish I can reach that stage this summer, too. 

Lovely work Mike, love the finish on the hull, especially below the waterline.

Nice work MD. I am going slow on the second planking too on my Swift, mainly cause we are moving though and I'm trying to find another job!
 
I love it. I hope mine comes out as purty.

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Looks great Mike - nice to see you got through the planking tribulations with such a good result....I've never used PVA for planking - always CA for a fast hold....but I use slow acting, gap filling CA in small quantities......
hamilton

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Well fans!!
I have for a change had quite a good day. It has been glorious Scottish Spring sunshine all day so I managed to get outside to do the sanding. Captain Al had recommended a good tool for me which must have saved me a very long time.
 
It still took a long time. So, the beast had been sanded mechanically and then once by hand. A tiny amount of filler was required I am proud to say before a fine hand sanding again.
The whole hull has now also been painted with watered down PVA to seal it and make it even stronger than it already was. It must have been pretty strong to deal with the machine sanding!!
 
Next stage whenever is to mark out where the first second plank has to go. The lovely, wonderful, oh so helpful instructions are quite specific but be assured ship mates it will be in line with the top deck in a nice gentle curve!!!
 
Just a thought when you have finished admiring my pictures (!!!) would anyone like to suggest the best method for sticking on the second planking?
 

 

 

 

 

 
I still think it looks like a zeppelin!!
 
 
 
 
 

Nice job Mike! I like your dark part of planking! Yet, I am amazed at the what you call "the pale section". Is it really how they teach in your instruction?? Mine looks totally different! I mean my instruction teaches that pale planks start from the deck downwards, parallel to the deck, and after 6 rows changes to dark color.
Anyway, looks great! and you can see the 'guts'of the boat alright! Congrats!
It will be even better after sanding and varnish! Good luck.

she is looking good Mike,
 
nice clean planking Job...
 
Nils