geoff

Mike,
 
Welcome to the forum. It is a great bunch of folks. You will end up making some good friends even if you never meet face to face. I know I have. 
 
A build log is the best way to learn. You'll get great advice and learn the terminology as you go. Once you have the kit in hand and you study the plans many of your questions will be answered. You might consider a first ship  being something there are several build logs for. The Model Shipways Armed Virginia Sloop is very popular with a bunch of great build logs that will guide you through your build along with asking questions in your own log. I'm sure the Friendship Sloop would be a good choice too. They are great looking vessels for sure.
 
Just have fun and ask for help when needed. 

Robert,
 
Thank you for the welcome, I moved from Atlanta last year down to Macon.  I am a native of Atlanta and getting used to a slower pace of life down here.  I am excited about starting the build and getting lots of help along the journey.
 
Thanks,
Mike

Welcome GTMIKE - It's good to see another 'Georgian' in here LOL  I'm located in the Atlanta Metro area and started modeling when I arrived here in 2011. I'm fairly new to be giving any advice, but I looked up your kit and it looks like it could be a nice start. Minimal rigging and you get experience in planking a bulkhead rather than a frame. I am finishing up on my 1st wooden kit which came with a solid hull but involved a little more rigging. As far as ship terminology, I would look up a name or term on google for an answer, but the advantage of sites like this one is, there is always someone to help point a way or answer one's questions. 
 
Which ever model you decide to build as your first kit, enjoy what you are doing and take your time. Good adventures lie ahead for you I'm sure. Cheers! 

Thanks Mark,
 
I really look forward to starting the model and will definitely start a building log when I do.

Hi Mike, 
Welcome to MSW.   A lot of your questions will be answered once you have a model in your hands.   The best way to get answers and help is open a build log.
 
Fairing the hull means to sand/shape it such that there are not dips, bumps, etc. All curves are smooth and follow the lines drawing.
Garboard plank is the plank at the keel....
Rabbit line is a line that the garboard will fit into in the keel.
 
A good, inexpensive reference book (there are errors in it but it give a good overview) is zuMondfeld's "Historic Ship Models".  Fairly inexpensive depending where you look online.

Hello Mike, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.
 
John

Hello everyone!  I would like to begin by thanking the administrators of this amazing site for accepting my request to join.  I am completely new to what I hope will be a long time hobby (starting at age 53 so I hate to say lifetime, lol).  I have built many RC cars, boats and planes as well as garden railroading, but have always been in awe of wooden ship models but I have always been too intimidated to actually tackle one until now... Life is passing by too quickly to have regrets.  I have been researching and doing lots of reading to try and better understand what I am about to get into.  I do plan to start with what I hope is an advanced beginner kit, Bluejacket's Friendship Sloop in either 1" or 1/2" scale).  I know there are more inexpensive kits out there but I guess what keeps drawing me back to Bluejacket is that they are based in the US and hopefully east to contact for support along the way.  I am currently in the process of converting my train building area into an organized and well equipped shipyard.  I am open to other suggestions as far as a first kit is concerned.  There does not seem to be a general consensus as to weather solid hull construction or plank on bulkhead construction is best to start with.  I like the idea of doing a plank on bulkhead and have been studying the Simple Hull Planking for Beginners and the Primer on Planking posted on this site.  I would also like to know what books you would recommend that I acquire for good resources as well.  My two biggest fears are that I take on more than I can handle and the fact that I have NO ship terminology knowledge, I feel intimidated when I read some of the tutorials and I do not know what they are referencing... Bearding line, Rabbet line, Fairing the hull, Garboard plank, etc.
 
Please let me know if I am heading in the right direction with the Friendship Sloop and my thinking that a larger scale model with simple rigging will be easier to manage than a small scale model, my dexterity and eyesight is not what it used to be.  I will end this long winded post by saying how utterly impressed I have been reading through the forum as to how nice and accommodating everyone is with new modelers on this site, I assure you that is the exception and not the norm for some of the other sites I have been associated with in the large scale railroading community.

Tim Page got shown the door for spamming.
 
You are correct about the reply function. If you wish to reply to a particular something that someone said, you can use the quote function.
 
Cheers,

I am getting notifications in my email of replies to my topic and it lets me click right to them - but the latest reply from the writer Tim Page in Australia I dont see in this string??
 
Also it appears one cannot reply to one individual reply in a string, correct?     
 
I am getting delayed by house improvements and grandchildren in my start in selecting a kit.    But like that great quote that the wood is patient, so am I.
 
And I know its good that the reason this hobby may wait awhile - I like the quote that the wood is patient - its a good thing that its because I am still busy doing active things.   Need to get out bass fishing soon.

Ahoy mateys. Love the pirate emo -- Like Buffett sang - I never figured out my occupation in my centuries - the cannons dont thunder, nothin to plunder.... - but still searching for mermaids keeps me busy.

Virtual sailors from all over the known universe can be found here! 
 
 

Welcome aboard Kip! Cheers

Greetings from Belgium

Hi Kip,
 

I wont be emailing so much down the road, but just wanted to say how helpful it was to watch the video of whats in the kit for the Bounty's Jolly Boat.   I was wondering if it was enough challenge for a starter boat and YESSSS it is.....which I wasnt sure of until seeing that.   Still in early stages of a search.....

Hi folks and thanks for the welcomes!   My minister made cards out of that photo which a friend took from another boat.   And yes my first name is Kip - nickname.  And when we cant scramble around a sailboat anymore we hope to maybe get a nice seaworthy row boat.   Rockland harbor here in Maine is wonderful - as there is a huge protected area inside the seawall and then on a nice day you can go out in the ocean.

I wish I had taken pictures when I was up there. I plan to at least request pictures of them for some inspiration and motivation. If/when I do, I will definitely be looking into having them identified.
 
Thank you =D

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome! I have been reading through log after log since I joined and feel like I've already learned so much. Definitely happy to be here and hope to get the time soon to sit down and crack open my Drakkar kit.

Welcome Andrew and here's to wooden modeling! I'm fairly new to this myself. You may want to check out a Harbor Freight for some supplies as well. Enjoy and have fun 
 

Welcome to MSW,
And greetings from Belgium.

Welcome  to MSW"Rzuhr" or is it Andrew?! All the best, Geoff

Welcome Andrew , ask all and any questions ,usually someone here will have the answer .
 
Have fun ,Boyd .
 

Welcome to the world of ships and dreams! We share a Chicago connection. My grandfather on my father's side shoveled coal on an American battleship 1911. The best thing about this site is that it has all levels of skill and all sorts of common mistakes and how to correct them. If you have photos of your great uncles ships and post them here maybe someone can identify them for you. It's a shot. 

Welcome, Andrew. Facebook is good, but not the greatest place for build logs, etc. This rabbit hole is sooo much deeper. I love it here.