russ

John:

This looks like a good start. That is a lot of framing. I will be looking forward to see her progress. I vote for planked, but with some planking being replaced.

Russ

Kenneth:

Thanks.

Russ

Pat:

Thanks. This will be very useful for me since many of these local vessels have that same scupper slot along the deck.

Russ

Bob:

Thanks.

John:

Exactly. I love it when a jig works well.

Russ

A little more progress the past few days. I began work on the bulwarks for this lugger. These vessels have a lightly planked bulwark and there is a slot left open at deck level to clear water from the deck. These vessels often come back to the dock with the decks awash because of their heavy load of shrimp or oysters.

My challenge is to make sure that this long open slot is of a uniform width for its complete length. I needed a jig to ensure that uniform spacing. I used scrap material of the same thickness as the opening and then glued several pieces of it inboard to a piece of decking material. The jig can be slid in place when and where necessary. It is temporarily nailed to the subdeck to ensure that it follows the sheer of the deck. It does not look pretty, but it got the job done. Once the glue holding the bulwarks planking to the stanchions has dried, the jig can be removed.

Maybe this will help someone with a similar issue.

Russ

Elia:

Good to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words. I also like the stem and how it affects the planking. That is one of my favorite aspects of this hull form.

Russ

Sam:

Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it.

Russ

The paint work looks good, especially for such a confined space in which to work.

Russ

Daniel:

I think that looks fine just the way it is. Very nicely done.

Russ

Thanks. I am well satisfied.

Russ

Daniel:

I may be wrong , but I rather doubt anyone really knows the true appearance of the cabin's interior. Since you have already created a nice looking partition, I would continue with that style for the cabin walls. However, see what others might offer. They may have a better idea.

Russ

I agree. The rigging is coming along beautifully. Well done.

I also really like your color scheme. Great choices with your colors.

Russ

Ken:

Spaghetti was the exact term that came to mind before I read your text.

Very nice rigging work.

Russ

Kenneth:

Exactly. The model will always keep me humble. That and the camera that sees everything I do not.

Russ

On decks I have used a simple number 2 pencil on one edge of the plank and on one end. It gives a subtle line that suggests a caulked seam. Here is a look at a model that I restored using this method. This was a yacht so there is a glossy finish, but you can see how the seams show up with a clear finish.

Russ

Mark:

Thanks. That is very kind.

Russ

Thanks to all who have visited, commented, and liked. Both sides of the hull are now planked below the deck. Not as good as I would like, but it came out okay.

Russ

John:

Thanks. I really appreciate that.

Russ

Kenneth:

Thanks for the kind words. Trust me, there is plenty of room for improvement.

Russ

Pat:

Thanks. I appreciate it. The planking looks pretty good to my eye, but it is good to know that it looks good to others too. I find that I can get a bit too close to the work and I lose some objectivity.

I just have to remember that there is always room for improvement.

Russ

The starboard planking is complete below the bulwarks. Some sanding has been done, but there will probably be a bit more here and there. Three more planks on the port side and I will be ready to plank the bulwarks.

Russ

Tom:

Your hull planking looks like it is coming along well. Never mind if the planking is a little rough right now. The main thing is to make sure the planks are lining up and you are getting the run of the planks that you want. I am planking right now and I can tell you that it is best not to do much sanding until you get the entire hull planked.

Russ

That is some very nice work on the partition and the paneling. Paint if you must, but I would have a hard time covering that finish. It is very nice as it is.

Russ

That looks pretty good. If you have the shapes you need, then you are good to go.

Another way to do this would be to cut a jig and soak the pieces in hot water, clamping them in place on the jig and allow them to dry. Miniature bar clamps would be one way to clamp them to the jig. The jig's curve should be a little more than you need. The pieces will likely spring back a little after you release them from the jig.

Russ