Shazmira

I took a long break from the longboat while I went back to the rigging of my SFII, now that build is in dry dock awaiting parts so I am back to the longboat.
Worked on the mast this week, got it cut and tapered, and the sheaves drilled in it
Then went to work on the "iron" bands. This was only my 2nd attempt at soldering, I originally bade the bands and tried using CA, but I worried, from previous experience, that the glue would not hold up to the pressure of the lines so I decided to remake them and solder them together.
 
"raw" soldered bands

 
I then drilled the holes needed in the bands, cut them to size and tried my hand at blackening them...I think they turned out pretty darn good for me

 
Next was painting the mast

 
I also spent time this week, getting the longboat mounted on the pedestals and making sure it was level

 
The mast step I fashioned...probably cant tell from the photo but I did NOT want the mast just glued to the top of the step, and I feared a tenon would still not be structurally sound enough, so my step is a bit thicker than 1/16 and I drilled a hole through the center so my mast sits down inside the step. I feel this will give it better stability when I start pulling rope through it it and placing pressure on it.

 
how she sits now

Robbyn, I've spent several days reading your entire build log.  I must say all the things you've been through during this build have been quite the experience.  From knife injuries, CA allergies, teaching and of course getting married you've been through a lot.  I'm looking forward to seeing you finish the SFII, will check in on your long boat build, and be waiting until you start the Syren.  I think you're gonna love that one!
Best wishes!!
 

Hey Robbyn, I had my lady friend here today and we were talking about perfection etc and how she does things to a standard that make her happy. I told her about my Schonner for Port Jackson which we were looking at and the fact that there are imperfections there that I know about but no-one else would ever see because they see the whole thing.
 
I told her about your dilemas and starting, stopping, stripping and re-doing to try and get it right. She said to tell you about the Navajo (spelling?) indians and the rugs they make. Apparently they deliberately include errors in them because "nothing is perfect"
 
Good attitude I think.
 
Steve & Angela

Hi Robyn,
 
Many of us understand fully your dilema.  Its is why an artist will have a studio full of unfinished paintings, a bodymen a garage full of cars in primer, and myself, a workshop with shelves full of projects in various forms of finish.  Some may never get finished, at least by me.
 
To me, whom is very linear in his thinking, it drives me nuts to leave a project unfinished, but this hobby forces me to accept it. If the current model hits a snag, set it aside and move onto something else.  I have three projects drydocked for the same reason you are docking yours.  But I find other projects that do not require funds, or a lot of foresight, but just time.  Kinda why I started carving and looking at starting a ship in the bottle.  I have lots of scrap chunks of wood and wine bottles from the nights of working on the above said, unfinished, models.
 
Ahh, manufacturers drawings and instructions.  If you look at most of us who have built for a time, our prints and instruction books end up covered in notes and redmarks, dogeared, and re-stapled with the pages out of order.  Its part of the fun now, getting a new kit and then, as one put it, at least how I put a take on it, brings out our Frankenstein in us.  We may spends months laying tracing paper over plans and redrafting lines, angles, and lofts.  We may end up making photocopies of the instruction manual and putting the pages in a different order of build and cover the margins with notes.  Hell, at times we just through the manual out and use our builders notes.  You are learing a new phase in ship modeling, one that now uses your experience and combines it with trust and eptitude when starting a kit.
 
Scott

Popeye, nope never took anything you said in a negative light, trust me I know you have never been anything but supportive.
 
Jay, Syren blocks are all too small, I did think about using them lol. If they had been on the large side I would have used them anyway, but no luck...and too small for the rope I have anyway.
 
Steve,I am not giving her up forever, just dry docked until life works out some other details (money), then I will finish her up. Yes, if I did not have the other builds to fall back on I would probably try to fashion my own blocks, but you kind of said it exactly as I am feeling it,I am just kind of "over it" I am pretty disgusted with the lack of foresight, in the plans and instructions, as well as my own, and need to walk away right and focus elsewhere.

I looked at Dafi's dowel idea. That is genius, I have dowels, and I have spare bits, so I can get Craig to CA them into the end of the dowel for me, or take it outside in a stiff breeze and do it myself. That will definitely solve the cap rail issue .
 
You hit the nail on the head though about looking ahead....that is the problem. Although I read, and read, and read again to be sure this problem would not occur, the fact that I was brand new to building, have no working knowledge of ships, and the biggest issue of trusting the manufacturer to have complete instructions, is why I am in the boat I am in.
 
I am so glad my other two builds are Chucks...at least in his instructions there are no missing details, he tells you in advance to do this now, because you will need it later.
 
However, now I know what to expect from other kit manufacturers. Next time I am reading through instructions I will have the working knowledge to know what they are talking about, so I can look at the plans and see the discrepancies between the plans and instructions.
 
So, all in all, the SFII has done exactly as I intended, she has served as a great learning tool. Not that she has taught me everything by any means, but I do feel much more confident going forward now.

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

Popeye, nope never took anything you said in a negative light, trust me I know you have never been anything but supportive.
 
Jay, Syren blocks are all too small, I did think about using them lol. If they had been on the large side I would have used them anyway, but no luck...and too small for the rope I have anyway.
 
Steve,I am not giving her up forever, just dry docked until life works out some other details (money), then I will finish her up. Yes, if I did not have the other builds to fall back on I would probably try to fashion my own blocks, but you kind of said it exactly as I am feeling it,I am just kind of "over it" I am pretty disgusted with the lack of foresight, in the plans and instructions, as well as my own, and need to walk away right and focus elsewhere.

your doing a fantastic job.........I'd be the first to tell ya that    I do hope you didn't glean that from my post.......I did not intend it that way
 
     you should have been here for my first build {it was on the old MSW}.  I didn't know diddily......and I didn't cement between the planks......you should have seen my paint job!  it looked like morse code along the hull....a hundred times over!  ohhhhhhhh,  what I had to do to solve that problem.   remove all the paint......paint the hull about four times with diluted white glue.......resand and repaint.  yea,  I learned my lesson!    I guess two things that helped me long,  is imagination and experimentation.   I'm always learning something new too.

I looked at Dafi's dowel idea. That is genius, I have dowels, and I have spare bits, so I can get Craig to CA them into the end of the dowel for me, or take it outside in a stiff breeze and do it myself. That will definitely solve the cap rail issue .
 
You hit the nail on the head though about looking ahead....that is the problem. Although I read, and read, and read again to be sure this problem would not occur, the fact that I was brand new to building, have no working knowledge of ships, and the biggest issue of trusting the manufacturer to have complete instructions, is why I am in the boat I am in.
 
I am so glad my other two builds are Chucks...at least in his instructions there are no missing details, he tells you in advance to do this now, because you will need it later.
 
However, now I know what to expect from other kit manufacturers. Next time I am reading through instructions I will have the working knowledge to know what they are talking about, so I can look at the plans and see the discrepancies between the plans and instructions.
 
So, all in all, the SFII has done exactly as I intended, she has served as a great learning tool. Not that she has taught me everything by any means, but I do feel much more confident going forward now.

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

I looked at Dafi's dowel idea. That is genius, I have dowels, and I have spare bits, so I can get Craig to CA them into the end of the dowel for me, or take it outside in a stiff breeze and do it myself. That will definitely solve the cap rail issue .
 
You hit the nail on the head though about looking ahead....that is the problem. Although I read, and read, and read again to be sure this problem would not occur, the fact that I was brand new to building, have no working knowledge of ships, and the biggest issue of trusting the manufacturer to have complete instructions, is why I am in the boat I am in.
 
I am so glad my other two builds are Chucks...at least in his instructions there are no missing details, he tells you in advance to do this now, because you will need it later.
 
However, now I know what to expect from other kit manufacturers. Next time I am reading through instructions I will have the working knowledge to know what they are talking about, so I can look at the plans and see the discrepancies between the plans and instructions.
 
So, all in all, the SFII has done exactly as I intended, she has served as a great learning tool. Not that she has taught me everything by any means, but I do feel much more confident going forward now.

I looked at Dafi's dowel idea. That is genius, I have dowels, and I have spare bits, so I can get Craig to CA them into the end of the dowel for me, or take it outside in a stiff breeze and do it myself. That will definitely solve the cap rail issue .
 
You hit the nail on the head though about looking ahead....that is the problem. Although I read, and read, and read again to be sure this problem would not occur, the fact that I was brand new to building, have no working knowledge of ships, and the biggest issue of trusting the manufacturer to have complete instructions, is why I am in the boat I am in.
 
I am so glad my other two builds are Chucks...at least in his instructions there are no missing details, he tells you in advance to do this now, because you will need it later.
 
However, now I know what to expect from other kit manufacturers. Next time I am reading through instructions I will have the working knowledge to know what they are talking about, so I can look at the plans and see the discrepancies between the plans and instructions.
 
So, all in all, the SFII has done exactly as I intended, she has served as a great learning tool. Not that she has taught me everything by any means, but I do feel much more confident going forward now.

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

Wow, you seem to just be flying through this build!!! She looks exceptionally good!

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

Sorry everyone, I still have no internet service at the house, and have been much too swamped at work to spend much time here, there are just not enough hours in the day right now!!!
 
Okay, bad news. The SFII is now officially relegated to the dry dock. As I was progressing through the running rigging, I ran into more cap rails that require being used as pin rails. Unfortunately there is no way to drill the holes in them without damaging the shrouds, the lines, or the rails themselves with the tools I currently posses. Not the end of the world, I did come up with an alternative and was prepared to continue; then I discovered I am short several double blocks for which I cannot complete the rigging without. I do not have the patience, to try to fashion my own, and at the moment my budget is stretched so tight I do not have the $20 necessary to purchase and have shipped a package of replacements. So, I have placed her in dry dock for awhile until I can procure the blocks I need and can finally finish her off. I will post pics this weekend when my internet is finally up and running again.
 
In the meantime I have now resumed work on the18th century longboat. I spent yesterday shaping the mast, the mast step, and the truck, complete with sheaves (what a b****). The best thing about the SFII and all the little things that made her a challenge to a first time builder is that I now feel confident in my skill to move forward on the next model. Although my "skill" is nowhere as as great as many of the builders on this site, I do feel I picked up enough knowledge from all my own mistakes, as well as those created by crappy plans to proceed. I know on my longboat, the planking is of much better quality than my first attempt here, so I do now feel ready to tackle the simple rigging on the longboat now!
 
Yes, Sjors, this also means the Syren call is much stronger!!! I have pulled the box out of storage....I think in a week or two, I will be able to officially start her!

Robbyn, 
None of the solutions seem to have harmed the deadeyes. The black you see on the two on the left are from my torch. No matter how i set up the flame or shielded them they scorched. Russ pointed out that he solders and shapes his and then lips them over the deadeyes, presumably after blackening. I was trying to fit, shape and solder everything on the deadeye and was creating little lumps of pre-diamonds. Now that they have dried they are very close to the same color as the parts fresh out of the kit. 
As far as ordering, order away, but I need to direct you to my earlier post about a fireplace mantle started in high school.....
Sam

WOW, quite a bit of progress there Sjors, I am amazed at how tall those masts are, I never imagined they would be that high....now it is bringing about nightmares of all the string that will be needed to cover them up

WOW, quite a bit of progress there Sjors, I am amazed at how tall those masts are, I never imagined they would be that high....now it is bringing about nightmares of all the string that will be needed to cover them up

The color looks great, a nice rich tone that really draws the eye. I do like your doors as well, and I love the ingenious use of a couple of glasses to get the bend you needed, I will have to remember that trick for the future!

well.........I thought it was going to be a chore to get the bulkheads changed over.     this area is still going to be open,  till I can get the interior stained.   the hardware is going to consist of a pair of tiny hinges {still have to make them}  and some sort of handle.  I'll just tweezer them in place after,  before I do the clear seal coat.   tricky,  but that's how my cookie is crumbling.......so I kinda have to go with it.
 
thanks for the good word and concern John..........

I am starting to build this boat and I have a few ideas.. a completely furniched Captain's room, opening doors, wood windows and adding a deck where the second row of cannons is located, so instead of just closed cannon doors, one will be able to look inside and see a deck with cannons and hopefully lanterns. I have built a mast for the "lifeboat". I also plan to have a real light in the great big lantern on the stern. This means figuring out where to perform some surgery on the formers. I also want to build real decks a la Skipjack, intead of using the supplied plywood decks.