genericDave

It's been a little over a month, and I've made some progress.
 
Bulkhead Extensions
 
I trimmed the bulkhead extensions back to make them fit the size of the stanchions.  This went fairly quickly as I built a little jig to aid in cutting the extensions at the right depth.
 

 
The sternpost got installed pretty easily.
 
Bulkheads
 
Next up was gluing in the bulkheads.  This too went pretty easily with the aid of a variety of clamps, machinists squares, and angle braces to hold everything while the glue set.
 

 
I decided to go ahead and add support struts between the bulkheads.  Being my first POB build, I didn't trust myself to be delicate while fairing, so I wanted the extra support.  I had some 1" x 1/4" wood lying around, so I used that.  I measured the exact space between each bulkhead and cut individual pieces to fit each spot.  This took a couple days.   I made a bit of a mess with the glue, but all this will be hidden by hull and deck planking so I'm going to spend time cleaning it up. 
 
When I finished, I realized that my process (do one side first, then the other) had caused a problem.  I had introduced a bend into the keel because the first side I did was a little too snug, and the second side was cut later (so it locked in the bend).  If I had done both sides at once for each bulkhead, i could have avoided this.
 
Since all the supports were firmly glued in, I fixed the problem by cutting the supports between 2 bulkheads on each side.  Since cutting removes a bit of wood (due to the thickness of the blade), this gave me some squish room to relieve the pressure causing the bend.  I got the keel back in alignment, and re-glued the struts one side.   The other side (which now has struts with a gap in the middle) will just be filled in with wood putty so I don't have to keep looking at a reminder of my mistake.   It looked messy, but the keel is straight and the struts are solid.
 

 
Next up I faired the bulkheads.  I thought it went fine, but I later realized I didn't do a very good job.
 
Great Beam and Waterways
 
The practicum I'm loosely following suggests installing the outermost waterway to use as a guide for positioning the first plank.  This makes sense, but the practicum skips over installing the 'great beam' - it never installs it at all.  The deck planking (and waterways) would need to be on top of the 'ledge' created when you install the great beam.  So I deviated a little and installed the great beam, followed by the waterways.  I went ahead and installed all three waterway planks on the fore deck.  The quarter deck only has one waterway strip - between the stanchions - and I wasn't sure I'd get a smooth curve with all those little pieces.  So I went ahead and installed what will become the nibbling strake, then put in the actual waterway, matched to the curve of the nibbling strake.
 

 
Finally I moved on to planking.
 
Planking the Hull
 
One of the reasons I chose the Bluenose was that the plank layout is fairly simple and doesn't require some of the complex techniques required by other ships.  Also, the hull will be painted - so I can fix any mistakes with filler.
 
I started at the deck and worked my way about halfway down.  Then I put in the garboard strake and worked my way up from the keel.  I did both sides at the same time (install a strake on one side, then the matching strake on the other side) so that I could keep both sides uniform.  I also decided to use individually cut planks, per the instructions, rather than using full-length strips as the practicum suggests.  I did this only so I could get some practice with cutting and installing individual planks and maintaining a consistent pattern with the joints.
 

 
I'm satisfied with how it turned out, but I discovered my fairing was pretty poor.  There were some planks that didn't butt up nicely because the bevel on the bulkhead wasn't straight enough.  I had some trouble with the curves near the stern around the top of the sternpost.  Good thing this hull will be painted.  Filler to the rescue.
 
With both sides planked, I went through a few sanding rounds then generously applied wood filler as recommended in the practicum.  The practicum (and some build logs I've seen around the internet) show a LOT of filler being applied, then sanded away.  So, I did that.  Fortunately I only did one side of the hull (I wanted to see how it went before I did the other side).  I don't need anywhere near that much filler.  I ended up removing 95% of the filler.  It took days and I went through a TON of sandpaper.  On the other side, I'll use considerably less wood filler, which should make sanding it back down go a lot faster.
 
I've now got one side of the hull filled and sanded.  There are some touch-ups needed, but I'll come back and do those after I fill and sand the other side.
 

 
Next step is to fill and sand the other side and do another pass to clean up any remaining issues with the planking.
 
 
 

Thanks everyone!  Glad to have the second build in the books!  The next build is underway...build log coming soon!

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

I ended up going with the “red ensign” flag. I made it using a guide I found here on the forum.  I prepped the art in Photoshop, then printed it on iron-on transfer paper.  Then I applied it to some white fabric and cut it to size.  
 

I’m about halfway done with the mounting board.  Hopefully I can get the ship mounted in the next day or two, then I’m done!

So after a break from the Bluenose I decided to continue the build.  The Admiral bought me a bench height chair which makes life a lot more pleasant.
 

 
I continued adding the false timbers on the aft deck, pegging every one.  Hopefully this will resolve my issues.  I will also take the advise from Jon and bend the planks before I install them.
 

Thanks everyone!  Glad to have the second build in the books!  The next build is underway...build log coming soon!

Nicely done. Congratulations on a fine build Dave. 

Congrats! Very nice. 
Steve

Nice clean Build! Wonderful job! She a beautiful lady. Mine sits in the entryway to our house is a case. Yours is even better.

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Didn’t quite finish by the end of 2017, but came close. (A new puppy in the house ate up some time!) The final sail was installed and all the rigging is finished (including flag halliards and dory tackles). 
 
Still to do:
- go over all the rigging and tighten as needed, trim excess line. 
- rope coils
- flags
- final pass to fix anything I’m not happy with
- mount to display board
 

 
 
 

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Didn’t quite finish by the end of 2017, but came close. (A new puppy in the house ate up some time!) The final sail was installed and all the rigging is finished (including flag halliards and dory tackles). 
 
Still to do:
- go over all the rigging and tighten as needed, trim excess line. 
- rope coils
- flags
- final pass to fix anything I’m not happy with
- mount to display board
 

 
 
 

Fnkershner, there's two sails still to be attached in that last photo - the stay sail and the fore top mast sail.  I'm not seeing a fisher man sail on the plans...only those two remain.  The stay sail is pretty big, and runs between the two masts...might be what you're referring to.   The fore top sail also sits between the two masts, and runs from the fore gaff to the fore mast (and uses those remaining mast hoops).  
 
Since my last post, I have rigged the stay sail.  The halliard for that was just...weird.  The plans offered two different versions of that halliard.  One was more complex, with multiple blocks and hooks that could be switched from side-to-side.  The simpler version just used a line with hooks on either end run through a block.  I opted to go with the simpler version.
 
Here's the ship with the stay sail rigged (the only sail still missing is the fore top sail)...
 

Unfortunately the last sail (fore top sail) will have to wait until after Christmas.  It is ready to go, but I'm about to be pulled way for family stuff so I don't want to start rigging it if I can't get it all done.  
 
I'm sure I'm going to be thinking about finishing this build over the holiday.  My wife told me that last night she woke up in the middle of the night and I was standing at the window in our bedroom holding the rod that opens/closes the blinds.  She asked what I was doing, and apparently I told her I could use the rod on my ship.  I have no memory of that...but it seems I'm now so focused on finishing this build that I'm sleepwalking to find parts for the boat.
 

So close...
 
The jib sail, main top sail, and balloon jib sail have been installed.  I've got the stay sail and fore top sail made - just need to rig them and install them.  I tried to convince my wife to let me skip the trip to see the family over Christmas so I could finish up, but she wasn't having it.  
 
Assuming all goes well, I think I can have this finished in the next week.  Aside from installing the sails, I've got a few misc. things to rig (flag halliards, dory tackles, etc.), and I need to go through and tighten some rigging, trim extra lines, add rope coils, etc.
 

I'll also need to make the display board and mount the ship.  I've got some brass pedestals, and I did the holes in the keel for mounting about a year ago.  In preparation for mounting, I swung by my wife's jewelry shop yesterday and we engraved the name plaques for the board.  I've had a bunch of blank brass plaques for a couple years (I got them to use on my Phantom build, but never got around to engraving them).  My wife has an industrial computer controlled engraver for her business, so we finally sat down and engraved the plates for both the Bluenose and my Phantom.  We saved all the configs on the engraving machine so we can easily remake these in a few months if I realized something is misspelled  
 
The end is in sight...just trying not to rush.  But I do think I can realistically be done before the end of the year.  
 
Then onto the next one (box is already open and I've already scanned in the plans and started getting organized...)

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Finished!
 
After 645 days, I've got the Bluenose mounted and moved to its final home on the bookshelf.  After almost two years of *always* having something that needed to be done on the ship, it is a weird feeling to be finished.  Fortunately that feeling won't last as I started prepping the next build this morning.
 

Frnkershner - thanks for the info!  That helps to point me in the right direction.  I'm going to pour through some old photos and such over the next week as I'm finishing up the details and try to nail down exactly what flags I want to fly.  Right now I'm planning to try using some printable transfer paper and sail cloth to make the flags (saw this method described in detail in another thread somewhere on here).  We'll see how that works
 
Elijah - Thanks!  I'm pretty happy with how the sails turned out.  They're not perfect - up close you can spot all kinds of issues, but from 2-3 feet away they look fine. This was my first time sewing.  I had to go buy a sewing machine and watch a bunch of videos on how use it.  I also had to make several of the sails more than once, so I went through about twice as much sail cloth as the kit provided.  Once I got the hang of it, making sails is actually pretty easy, and pretty enjoyable.  I'd definitely recommend trying sails on any build where it would be appropriate.
 
Next build will be the 18th Century Longboat.  Before I start another big model, I wanted to do something a little more contained.  I also think the nature of that kit will help me improve my general woodworking skills (making clean cuts, sanding, etc.). 

I ended up going with the “red ensign” flag. I made it using a guide I found here on the forum.  I prepped the art in Photoshop, then printed it on iron-on transfer paper.  Then I applied it to some white fabric and cut it to size.  
 

I’m about halfway done with the mounting board.  Hopefully I can get the ship mounted in the next day or two, then I’m done!

Frnkershner - thanks for the info!  That helps to point me in the right direction.  I'm going to pour through some old photos and such over the next week as I'm finishing up the details and try to nail down exactly what flags I want to fly.  Right now I'm planning to try using some printable transfer paper and sail cloth to make the flags (saw this method described in detail in another thread somewhere on here).  We'll see how that works
 
Elijah - Thanks!  I'm pretty happy with how the sails turned out.  They're not perfect - up close you can spot all kinds of issues, but from 2-3 feet away they look fine. This was my first time sewing.  I had to go buy a sewing machine and watch a bunch of videos on how use it.  I also had to make several of the sails more than once, so I went through about twice as much sail cloth as the kit provided.  Once I got the hang of it, making sails is actually pretty easy, and pretty enjoyable.  I'd definitely recommend trying sails on any build where it would be appropriate.
 
Next build will be the 18th Century Longboat.  Before I start another big model, I wanted to do something a little more contained.  I also think the nature of that kit will help me improve my general woodworking skills (making clean cuts, sanding, etc.). 

At the time she was launched (1921) There was no standard National flag. For shipping of that time it was customary to fly either the Blue Ensign or Red Ensign. And most ships had the flag of the province. I am at work so I can't share it with you. But I had the link for a site that would create any flag for any size. I found these to be very nice flags.

Wow! Dave, those sails really make her look great! Did you have any prior experience in sewing before making these sails? Not to rush you, but what ship is up next?