russ

Good work. The stove pipe and catheads came out really well.

Russ

Your flattie is coming along. I like these small boats in large scales. This has always been a favorite of mine.

Russ

Bob:

Many thanks. I have been watching your builds over the last few years, aspiring to your level of quality. I appreciate your kind words.

Russ

This model has some really nice looking details. I like the rope coils and pin racks especially.

Russ

Dave:

This is a truly remarkable model. The work is outstanding. I am in stuck in "awe" mode.

Russ

Mike:

Thanks. That means a lot to me.

Russ

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. It really makes me feel much better about the model and I appreciate you looking in and following along.

My next project is another local commission. It is a motor powered lugger named Captain Roy, built by Jules Galle' for a local seafood cannery owner named Roy Rosalis. It will be POB construction at 1/24 scale and should make a nice sized model at about 30 inches long. It will be rigged for shrimping. I am completing the drawings for this boat over the holidays and I aim to begin construction in January. More on this later.

Kenneth, I will be talking with Mr. Baker again soon about the lugger. I need him to look at my completed plans and details. If I get his seal of approval, I know I am doing good.

Russ

Carl:

Thanks.

She is gussied up for the annual regatta, held in July each year. They overhauled the boats and raced them before the shrimp season started in late August.

Russ

Here are some photos of the completed model. While there are many things that I like about the model, there are, of course, those things that I dislike. This has been a love/hate relationship for 5 years and even now, I am not certain where I am in that cycle. I know that this has been a great learning experience and I am delighted to have completed the model. Right now that, and Christmas, are what has me feeling good. I thank everyone who has looked in and followed along. It is all very much appreciated.

My client loves the model and I hope her son will like it when he sees it on Christmas morning. This is something he does not know about and will not see coming.

Russ

SHE IS FINISHED!!!!!!!   Photographs to come some time tomorrow.

Russ

Here are some rope coils. Yes, they are a bit messy, but this is a working vessel so the coils tend to be haphazard. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Russ

I have caught up on your build log and the work is wonderful. I appreciate not only the craftsmanship, but also the research that you are doing to achieve more accuracy. Well done.

Russ

Dave:

I do not think you made any sacrifice on the fife rail. I would have to check the drawings, but I would be willing to bet you are very close to scale. You are doing very well.

Russ

Dave:

The fife rail looks very good. At full size, your material would be about 2 inches thick. Perhaps a little beyond scale, but not by much, if at all. The cuts and finish came out beautifully. It is a nice piece of work.

Russ

Bob:

Right on.

Pat:

Many thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated.

Russ

Dave:

Your Bluenose is looking good. The work on the deck fixtures is really nice. Great work.

Russ

John:

Thanks. The cloud of sails is not her working rig. For the most part, when working, they did not fly topsails or jib. Just the main, fore, and forestay sails. This would be her gussied up regatta day rig, usually in July and August.

Russ

Bob:

Very nice looking hull. I also think the cabin is coming along well. Excellent work.

Russ

Bob:

Thanks. I am happy to see her getting near the finish line. Lots of lessons learned.

Russ

More progress. The rigging is well along now with only a few details left to complete. The shrouds have been rigged with upper deadeyes and lower deadeyes connected by lanyards. The deadeyes are scratch made from boxwood and about 5/64" diameter with .021" diameter holes. The final tension will be set when the free end of the lanyards is tied off above the upper deadeyes.

Russ

John:

Looks like you are just about there. It is looking really good.

Russ

Looks good. The blocks are nicely done.

Russ

Well done. Very nice finished model and a really fine presentation. Great work.

Russ

The companionway is nicely done. Great work.

Russ

Sam:

The sails are a question of scale. It is the material thickness that is took much for scale. My sail maker doubled the material over and so we have sails that are twice as thick as I wanted. That is completely on me. I should have taken the time to make the sails myself. Lesson learned.

My client is a very nice person. She always tries to see the good in everything.

Russ