Ryland Craze

Thanks Michael and also for the "Likes".  I am glad to see the Longboat off of the build board.  With the bulkhead centers removed, the model is extremely light.  I have to be careful as I sometimes seem to be too heavy handed when handling the model.

Thanks Michael and Rusty for your comments.  I am doing great now and should make a full recovery.

I completed the planking and it was time to remove my Longboat from the build board.  I removed the supports at the stern and the masking tape that I had used to tape the bulkheads to the build board.  I removed the fore section first and then the aft section.  A few slight twists of the build board and the Longboat was free from the build board.

Next came the removal of the bulkhead centers.  I used a razor saw to cut the bulkheads free.  Chuck's design made this an easy process.  I used my razor saw to cut the bulkhead at the top down to the laser cut line on both the port and starboard sides, gave the bulkhead a slight wiggle and the centers popped free.  This was an easy process and I had no issues removing the centers.

The model is now starting to look like a boat:

I was shocked to hear of the passing of Mitch, especially at such a young age.  I always enjoyed the conversations I had with him at the NRG Conferences.  He was a true gentleman and will be missed.

Michael, I appreciate your comments.  The emergency room personnel were great and I have the utmost admiration for their skills.  They diagnosed my problem quickly and got me comfortable very quickly.  This was a Friday night and I got to the emergency room about an hour before four shooting victims came in.  It was quite a scene, but they continued to check on me while there was chaos in other areas of the emergency room.  They handled everything in a truly professional manner.  I just wished that I had come in sooner and ignored those that said my difficulties were normal.

I have registered for the NRG Conference and fully expect to be at full strength by Conference date.  I had a milestone today as I have had my driving privileges restored by my Doctor.  I was getting tired of being a back seat driver as my wife has been chauffeuring me around. This to me is a step to returning to a normal life.

Thanks Bob for your comments.  Several members of my Club (HRSMS) have had bypass surgery over twenty years ago and they are doing just fine.  I was doing well with my recovery until the blood clots came into the picture. I called about my breathing issues and even saw a nurse and was told that my issues were normal for bypass surgery.  It got so bad that I finally went to the emergency room.  My oxygen level was so low that the it did not register on their meter.  I could finally breath when they gave me high doses of oxygen.  I should have gone back to the hospital when I first started having breathing issues.  Lesson learned, If you feel that something is not right with your body, it probably is not right.  Listen to your body.

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks.  It feels good to be sitting at my workbench and I look forward to working on my Longboat.  I start cardio rehab on Monday which should increase my endurance and get me back to a normal life.

It has been awhile since I have posted on my Medway Longboat Build Log.  I thought that I would give an update on my progress.

In early July, I was having some chest discomfort and pains in my left arm.  After numerous tests and procedures by my cardiologist, it was determined that I needed quadruple heart bypass surgery.  This was performed on July 26^th and I came home on July 31^st.  Recovery was going along as planned until I started having breathing problems and light headiness.  I went back in the hospital on August 9^th and they found that I had massive blood clots in my legs, groin and lungs.  I was put on blood thinner and they placed a filter just before my heart to catch any blood clots that should make their way toward my heart.  I was released on August 14^th and have been getting better with each day.  I feel that I should make a complete recovery and am very lucky to be writing this post on MSW.

I have completed the planking and installation of the wales on my Longboat.  I still have some sanding to do.  I did drill the holes for the simulated nails after the installation of each plank.  I felt this was easier to do than doing it after the hull planking was completed.  I have attached some pictures of where I am on my build.

I remember that the subdeck on my AVS did not match the plans.  I was concerned about this.  The openings for the hatches were off center and the notches for the bulkhead extensions had to be opened up to fit properly.  The subdeck is going to be planked over and everything worked out just fine for me.

Congratulations on completing your Granado.  This is one of my favorite ships and your build log will be an inspiration to future builders of this ship model.  I really like the display base that you made.

Nic, take care of yourself.  I hope you will be feeling better soon and on the road to a speedy recovery.

Looks like you have a good start on your Queen Anne Barge.  I will be following your build.

Thanks Bob.  That is quite a compliment from someone who I have admired their work over the years.  You do not give yourself enough credit for the fine job of planking that you have done on your Longboat.

It is nice to see you back to work on your Longboat.  Your past builds have been an inspiration to many of us, so you deserve taking a break from ship modeling.

Thanks Michael.  I will be following your build of the Royal Barge.  I have seen Chuck's model at the Northeast Joint Clubs Conference and it builds into a nice model.  You will do a good job on your Royal Barge after seeing your work on your Pinnace.

Greg, the lining out of the hull was a good learning experience.  It refreshed what I learned in the Planking Admiralty Workshop.  I am sure some builders of this model will not line out their hull.  My marks on the bulkheads for the most part matched the width of the preformed planks.  I also used the lined out hull as a teaching aid at one of our Club meetings.

Rusty, it was good seeing you at the Northeast Joint Clubs Conference and thanks for bringing your Medway Longboat and your Royal Barge.  Your craftsmanship is excellent and it motivated me to get back to work on my models.

Thanks Chuck.  The pre-shaped planks are fitting nicely.  For the most part, a slight bevel on the edge and the plank fits nicely.  The design of this kit amazes me as I have never worked with a kit that was so well engineered.

It has been a while since I have updated my build log.  I am about half way through the planking process.  I have only snapped two planks in the process of contouring the planks.  It was easy to make replacement planks using the excess wood on the bottom of the laser cut plank sheets.  I am finding that the planks fit much nicer now that I am beyond the first three rows of planks from the keel.  I am drilling the holes for the simulated nails when I install each plank as it seems easier to me not to miss the bulkheads below the plank with my drill bit.  Here are some pictures of my progress to date:

Thomas,

Gene Berger is a member of the Hampton Roads Ship Model Society and he does his own photo etch for his award winning scratch built models.  I consider him a master builder.  He is on MSW as gberger.

Here is a link to his website that has a presentation on photo etching.  www.geneberger-models.com/photo-etching/

He has taught several of our Club members how to make photo etch parts.

Congratulations on completing your Pinnance.  You did a nice job on building this model.  I have enjoyed following your build log.

Congratulations on the completion of your Cheerful.  I have enjoyed following your build log and look forward to your next build.

You are making good progress on your Longboat.  I probably had more tape on my frames than what you have.  It really strengthened the frames and did not cause me any problems in the fairing process.  The tape will be removed before you start planking.

That is a nice birthday present, something you will cherish for the rest of your life.  We can tell that you are a proud PopPop.

I am sorry to see this happen, but glad the young boy is OK.  The good thing is the new model will be much better.

Thanks Chuck.  We are already registered for the Northeast Joint Clubs Show.  We look forward to seeing you guys.  We will also be spending some time in Lyndhurst and touring NYC.  I will also be visiting my favorite place to eat as pictured below.

Thanks Michael for your comment and for the "Likes".  I have completed the lining off of the port side of the hull.  Now I can start the planking.

Your Longboat is looking very nice.  Thanks for the tip on installing the simulated nails as each plank is installed.  I hope to see your model at a future SMSNJ meeting.