Hello Everyone:
This build log is a bit unusual because the model is almost complete but I only discovered and joined MSW a couple of weeks ago. However, I was encouraged by several kind souls in "welcome to new members" to start a log nevertheless. Had I had the advantage of the expertise and experience available on MSW from the outset, the result would have been much better than it actually is.
In April of last year, I was given the incomplete and damaged model of a Grand Banks fishing schooner by the grandson of the man who built it almost 50 years ago, a retired boat builder from Campobello Island, New Brunswick. The grandson told me he had an early childhood memory of his grandfather steaming the side planking -- 0.5" oak -- in his driveway.
It was forty inches long and had a very heavy fin keel (lead or iron I suspect) attached to the regular keel. This, plus the single-piece masts, led me to concluded that it was probably intended as a pond yacht. The top plank on each side had snapped right at the beam and, sometime during that 50 years, someone -- I'm sure it wasn't the original builder -- had inflicted a very sloppy paint job on the bulwarks and along the edges of the deck. The attached picture shows the boat as I received it.
The builder being a former professional boat builder as well as the story of the oak plank steaming and bending led me to believe that it was probably a scratch build, although there were certain signs that it might have been a kit. Comments from those in "welcome to new members" come down on the scratch-build side and I'm even more inclined to agree. However, if anyone can shed any light on this question, I'd be grateful to hear it.
Since last April, I've cleaned, repaired and painted the hull, built topmasts, built and rigged the sails, and am now at the point where almost all of the running rigging is complete. I now face the challenge of shrouds, ratlines (which I've never done before), and running backstays. Throughout all of this will be a more-or-less constant process of adjusting the shape of the sails.
I wanted to create the look of a hard-working, old fishing boat, under way, with sails drawing wind. While the main and foresail were made from cloth from another kit, the other six were made from an old and very used piece of cotton sailcloth given to me by our local sailmaker. Hence, the beaten up look and varied colours of the sails. The various stains, partial footprint, and other irregularities on these six sails look a bit peculiar close up, but the effect from beyond a range of six feet is close to what I was trying to accomplish. Given its eventual display position -- on top of a half wall at our family cottage, safely out of range of my three young grandsons -- no one will be able to get that close anyway. The boat is on a close reach on the port tack.
Given the special provenance of the hull, I decided to do little to it beyond necessary repairs and the running rigging necessary for the sails. I may decide to add some more deck furniture, but first wanted to see the lines of the running and standing rigging. Any comments or suggestions on what might be added would be very welcome.
I'll leave this initial post at that and attach a picture of the boat in its current state. I didn't take a lot of pictures of the build, at least until I joined MSW, but will attach some to additional posts to show progress to date. I'd also like to seek advice on the question of shrouds and ratlines as well as other things that will undoubtedly still arise. I should explain the peculiar background in the pictures: this model came with little advance warning and I don't have any proper workshop; hence, my boatyard became the dining-room table.
Comments, suggestions, and advice all welcome.
Rick
Dear Pete: I've been following your log with great interest. You're doing an absolutely wonderful job on a design that, to me, has the possibly the most beautiful lines of any small sail boat. Several years before I bought my own Buzzards Bay, I saw it out of the water on a trailer, literally a jaw-dropping moment for me. I've attached a picture taken from the port quarter which shows the beautiful sheer and transom design and how they work together so well. Since you're now working on the cockpit, I attach a couple of other pictures. You'll see that the builder departed from the plans in the cockpit area in respect of the shape of the coaming -- looks nice but was uncomfortable on the back when sailing. Also, he omitted the doors on the compartment under the foredeck; that didn't look as good but it was practical because it eased quick access to the stuff -- anchor, extra rope, fenders, etc. -- stored there. As well, with the pinrail and so many halyards and sheets right there, doors would have been even more awkward. Keep up the splendid work. I look forward to the final result. Warm regards, Rick
