PopJack

My 2 cents:
Cutting the rabbit is a bit tedious, but if you are careful not too hard to do.  I built two models without cutting one (instructions didn't call for one and I didn't know how hard or easy it would be) and one with.  It is easy to "over-cut" so you need to be careful.  When you do over cut you may have to remove and replace some wood with scrap.  I over cut a bit on one and it worked out fine without doing anything.
 
When you don't cut the rabbit you can  make a joint that looks good, but it is more difficult.  When you cut the rabbit the joint nearly makes itself.
 
My advice: Cut the rabbit. 

Well, I guess the fat lady has sung.  I am have smoothed the bottom of the rock and will glue felt on it to protect furniture.  I may- or may not create a label for the rear transom showing the home port.
 
The allegory I'm writing to go with it doesn't have anything to do with anything, so.... I guess this is it.
I've enjoyed doing this little boat and I have learned a lot and gotten better at some things.  Thanks for those who came along for the ride.
 







 
Id be happy to comment on why or how I did anything that anyone is interested in- and, as most always, welcome any comments or criticism or ideas for "next time."

Well, I'm definitely closing in on this one.
 
Today I finished my rope coils and hanks.  I'm not completely satisfied with the rigging- there are lots of things technically wrong that bug me, but honestly, I don't know how the ship was actually rigged and I think that it looks nice. For example the sheets are sometimes tied directly to eye bolts with a coil of rope nearby, when I know that there should have been more.
 
But, I am happy.   Especially given the kit and my level or ability and patience, I think she looks pretty good.
 
I selected a rock and bored holes in it, bored holes in the false keel.  I've known how I was going to mount her for weeks.  The photos below show my "mock up" to see what I thought.  I stole the idea from a photo I saw somewhere- maybe even on this board.  Thanks to whoever did it first, and I am sorry I don't know your name.  I think I've given it enough of a twist to "make it mine."
 
As soon as I am happy, I will put glue water on the sails to make them billowing and fix the lines stiff so that they will hold the sails out as though in a strong breeze.
 
I think I will probably lower the whole boat about one inch, but I like the pitch and yaw.  SWMBO says its too steep because you can't see all the work on the deck, but although I love and respect her opinion, I"m thinking I may not follow her sage advice.
 
After everything is mounted, there will be touch up, of course, and that should be that.  If anyone is interested, I might post the text of the book I'm writing to go with it for my brother and his betrothed.
 
(BTW, that hat does NOT always hang on the door knob.  I'm not sure how it got in so many photos!)
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Thanks for the comments.  The kit's rail was from the same sheet of plywood as the false deck.  I was kind of surprised, being that they don't suggest painting- I kept wondering what it was going to look like.  I'm guessing you got a rail, but probably looked at it long ago with a "are you kidding" kind of look.
 
I'm not going to paint my rail (unless I'm too embarrassed by the joint).  I think when I put oil on it, it should match the tops of my deck houses- which I also left unpainted.
 
I've been watching your excellent build with great interest, BTW.  It is quite a beauty- I'm suspecting that your mast will look great as well and that the rake will be perfect.

Worked on her a bit last night.  Several observations that contribute to sorting out every one of Yambo's "little problems."
 
First, the joints for the keel pieces are terrible.  When everything is lined up and the glue has set there is so little contact area that the Keel remains unstable.  It is obvious that you need to glue scabs across the joint, but in doing so the hull becomes unstable for the holding and cutting that will be required for the rabbit.  So solve this I have glued in scabs, but only from wood where I have enough to make a complete support system during the cutting of the rabbit.  In other words, I won't use scraps or small pieces.
 
I was also surprised at how badly the slots in and for the bulkheads are made.  This isn't a big deal, it only took an hour with a file to fix everything, but still- I mean these are laser cut... wouldn't be just as easy to cut them right?  Don't know.
 
I am really nervous about cutting the rabbit.  It will be first time for me to do something like this.  I'm thinking I'll pt tape on the blade of my knife to mark the depth. 
 
Hey what could go wrong?

Making a bit of progress again.  So I was experimenting with a way to make baggywrinkles that were somewhat realistic for the scale and not impossible to make.  I looked at pipe cleaners and a couple of other options but nothing struck me.
 
The idea came when my wife talked about "felting" wool knitted items.  To felt something, you knit it first from wool and then wash it in hot water in the washing machine.
 
The problem is that wool yarn isn't strong enough to support the weight of the rigging, I therefore laid a thread along the yarn I had chosen and made a series of running stitches (where you make a loop and pull another loop through it over and over again).
 
Instead of washing, I boiled the yard in a soapy mixture into which I had added some baking soda.  This, of course, had to be done when SWMBO was not at home. After boiling for 45 minutes I hung the yarns to dry overnight. I then tied them on regular rigging.
 
The yarn I used didn't "felt" as well as I had hoped.  I think it wasn't actually wool.  The idea seems reasonable though, so I thought I would go ahead and post it with some photos of how well I did.
 
Current Boat Progress:

 
Tieing thread and yarn.

 

 

 

 
And how she looks.  Not bad for the first experiment.  I think there is potential here.
 

Making a bit of progress again.  So I was experimenting with a way to make baggywrinkles that were somewhat realistic for the scale and not impossible to make.  I looked at pipe cleaners and a couple of other options but nothing struck me.
 
The idea came when my wife talked about "felting" wool knitted items.  To felt something, you knit it first from wool and then wash it in hot water in the washing machine.
 
The problem is that wool yarn isn't strong enough to support the weight of the rigging, I therefore laid a thread along the yarn I had chosen and made a series of running stitches (where you make a loop and pull another loop through it over and over again).
 
Instead of washing, I boiled the yard in a soapy mixture into which I had added some baking soda.  This, of course, had to be done when SWMBO was not at home. After boiling for 45 minutes I hung the yarns to dry overnight. I then tied them on regular rigging.
 
The yarn I used didn't "felt" as well as I had hoped.  I think it wasn't actually wool.  The idea seems reasonable though, so I thought I would go ahead and post it with some photos of how well I did.
 
Current Boat Progress:

 
Tieing thread and yarn.

 

 

 

 
And how she looks.  Not bad for the first experiment.  I think there is potential here.
 

Wow- two months with no update.
 
Before starting, I recall that I read about sailors creating crafts in their spare time.  They took scraps of rope and made decorative macrame, made ship models, etc etc.  I work with linemen and I discovered that some take the scrap clippings from skinning and trimming wires and make things out of them.  This scorpion was made from one underground transformer installation's clipped ground wire.
 

 
On to my toy boat.  I have finished all of the metal work.  I decided against trying to form hooks on all of the blocks, but have made them for a few of the bigger more prominent ones.  The others I'm tying on.
 
I started making sails.  This is how I did it.  I wanted 1/4" extra materials on all sides to that I could make a 1/8" casing for the cue lines.  (The casing is folded twice).  So, I carefully measured on the plans and marked the intersections of the 1/4" extended lines.
 

 
Then I laid the fabric on the plans and using a disappearing fabric marker and drafting techniques laid out the sail on the fabric.
 


 
Then, it was off to the sail making department where skilled craftswoman turned my sketches into reality.  (SWMBO or Admirable).
 

 
I installed the first sail and am generally happy.  I plan on using glue water and gravity to finish it up after the others are installed.


 

Making a bit of progress again.  So I was experimenting with a way to make baggywrinkles that were somewhat realistic for the scale and not impossible to make.  I looked at pipe cleaners and a couple of other options but nothing struck me.
 
The idea came when my wife talked about "felting" wool knitted items.  To felt something, you knit it first from wool and then wash it in hot water in the washing machine.
 
The problem is that wool yarn isn't strong enough to support the weight of the rigging, I therefore laid a thread along the yarn I had chosen and made a series of running stitches (where you make a loop and pull another loop through it over and over again).
 
Instead of washing, I boiled the yard in a soapy mixture into which I had added some baking soda.  This, of course, had to be done when SWMBO was not at home. After boiling for 45 minutes I hung the yarns to dry overnight. I then tied them on regular rigging.
 
The yarn I used didn't "felt" as well as I had hoped.  I think it wasn't actually wool.  The idea seems reasonable though, so I thought I would go ahead and post it with some photos of how well I did.
 
Current Boat Progress:

 
Tieing thread and yarn.

 

 

 

 
And how she looks.  Not bad for the first experiment.  I think there is potential here.
 

Just a note to say this project isn't dead.  Life just got in the way.
 
I am putting the sails and rigging on and its a slow process.
 
I also tried to use the rigging to hold the booms and gaffs in places.  This turned out badly when my hooks straightened out, imagine chaos.
 
I now drill a small hole and put a pin in the mask and in the clapper on the boom.  I used a brass pin to take the stress of tight sails and ropes and it is working much better.
 
I made some baggy wrinkles which look okay from a distance.
 
Photos in a few days.

Making a bit of progress again.  So I was experimenting with a way to make baggywrinkles that were somewhat realistic for the scale and not impossible to make.  I looked at pipe cleaners and a couple of other options but nothing struck me.
 
The idea came when my wife talked about "felting" wool knitted items.  To felt something, you knit it first from wool and then wash it in hot water in the washing machine.
 
The problem is that wool yarn isn't strong enough to support the weight of the rigging, I therefore laid a thread along the yarn I had chosen and made a series of running stitches (where you make a loop and pull another loop through it over and over again).
 
Instead of washing, I boiled the yard in a soapy mixture into which I had added some baking soda.  This, of course, had to be done when SWMBO was not at home. After boiling for 45 minutes I hung the yarns to dry overnight. I then tied them on regular rigging.
 
The yarn I used didn't "felt" as well as I had hoped.  I think it wasn't actually wool.  The idea seems reasonable though, so I thought I would go ahead and post it with some photos of how well I did.
 
Current Boat Progress:

 
Tieing thread and yarn.

 

 

 

 
And how she looks.  Not bad for the first experiment.  I think there is potential here.
 

Making a bit of progress again.  So I was experimenting with a way to make baggywrinkles that were somewhat realistic for the scale and not impossible to make.  I looked at pipe cleaners and a couple of other options but nothing struck me.
 
The idea came when my wife talked about "felting" wool knitted items.  To felt something, you knit it first from wool and then wash it in hot water in the washing machine.
 
The problem is that wool yarn isn't strong enough to support the weight of the rigging, I therefore laid a thread along the yarn I had chosen and made a series of running stitches (where you make a loop and pull another loop through it over and over again).
 
Instead of washing, I boiled the yard in a soapy mixture into which I had added some baking soda.  This, of course, had to be done when SWMBO was not at home. After boiling for 45 minutes I hung the yarns to dry overnight. I then tied them on regular rigging.
 
The yarn I used didn't "felt" as well as I had hoped.  I think it wasn't actually wool.  The idea seems reasonable though, so I thought I would go ahead and post it with some photos of how well I did.
 
Current Boat Progress:

 
Tieing thread and yarn.

 

 

 

 
And how she looks.  Not bad for the first experiment.  I think there is potential here.
 

Just a note to say this project isn't dead.  Life just got in the way.
 
I am putting the sails and rigging on and its a slow process.
 
I also tried to use the rigging to hold the booms and gaffs in places.  This turned out badly when my hooks straightened out, imagine chaos.
 
I now drill a small hole and put a pin in the mask and in the clapper on the boom.  I used a brass pin to take the stress of tight sails and ropes and it is working much better.
 
I made some baggy wrinkles which look okay from a distance.
 
Photos in a few days.

Just a note to say this project isn't dead.  Life just got in the way.
 
I am putting the sails and rigging on and its a slow process.
 
I also tried to use the rigging to hold the booms and gaffs in places.  This turned out badly when my hooks straightened out, imagine chaos.
 
I now drill a small hole and put a pin in the mask and in the clapper on the boom.  I used a brass pin to take the stress of tight sails and ropes and it is working much better.
 
I made some baggy wrinkles which look okay from a distance.
 
Photos in a few days.

Just a note to say this project isn't dead.  Life just got in the way.
 
I am putting the sails and rigging on and its a slow process.
 
I also tried to use the rigging to hold the booms and gaffs in places.  This turned out badly when my hooks straightened out, imagine chaos.
 
I now drill a small hole and put a pin in the mask and in the clapper on the boom.  I used a brass pin to take the stress of tight sails and ropes and it is working much better.
 
I made some baggy wrinkles which look okay from a distance.
 
Photos in a few days.

Just a note to say this project isn't dead.  Life just got in the way.
 
I am putting the sails and rigging on and its a slow process.
 
I also tried to use the rigging to hold the booms and gaffs in places.  This turned out badly when my hooks straightened out, imagine chaos.
 
I now drill a small hole and put a pin in the mask and in the clapper on the boom.  I used a brass pin to take the stress of tight sails and ropes and it is working much better.
 
I made some baggy wrinkles which look okay from a distance.
 
Photos in a few days.

For me, it was price and appearance.  I did not know if I would like building mode boats and did not know if I had the technical proficiency.  The kit was sufficient for my purposes, although it was missing wood (had to buy quite a bit) and such, but building has been a good experience.
 
I thought the boat (Mare Nostrum) was pretty and interesting as well.  The Sanson is also a interesting and - as far as this novice knows- fairly unique kit to learn on
 
I have two kits "on the shelf."  One is a Sanson and one is a 30 year old AL pilot boat kit, the "Swift."    Assuming I can produce a good boat from one of these, I will probably invest in a top line kit next time.
 
EDIT: I have now built another AL boat (the Swift) and purchased a Model Shipyards Bluenose (1:64) and started it.  In comparison, I found the MS instructions harder to understand than AL's instructions.  Additionally the units are in English, which is a pain compared to the simple metric units.  The quality of the wood, etc I'm sure varies from kit to kit, but so far I've noticed very little difference.  The plywood, for example in the Bluenose kit is thicker, but not well laminated and it frequently de-laminates when sanding or even trying to cut.  All in all the Bluenose experience is making it plain I was too hard on AL.

I cut and fitted the lower sections of each mast, fore, main & mizzen. They fit very easily and wound up to be perpendicular and all lined up with minimum shimming. I marked them so they will be easily put back in the same place since I have to remove and install them many many times.

Greetings,
 
While I was waiting fro the paint to dry on the main engine room hatch, I decided to clean up the cowl vents and add a coat of primer....
 

 
Cheers,
Tim

Greetings,
 
I have completed the spray shields, I have to admit it took a couple of attempts at getting the curve in the correct place.  I have to admit I have lot's of cleanup work to complete but that will all come before the final coat of paint.
 
 
 

 

 

 
Now on to the engine room hatch!
 
Cheers,
Tim
 
 

Wow- two months with no update.
 
Before starting, I recall that I read about sailors creating crafts in their spare time.  They took scraps of rope and made decorative macrame, made ship models, etc etc.  I work with linemen and I discovered that some take the scrap clippings from skinning and trimming wires and make things out of them.  This scorpion was made from one underground transformer installation's clipped ground wire.
 

 
On to my toy boat.  I have finished all of the metal work.  I decided against trying to form hooks on all of the blocks, but have made them for a few of the bigger more prominent ones.  The others I'm tying on.
 
I started making sails.  This is how I did it.  I wanted 1/4" extra materials on all sides to that I could make a 1/8" casing for the cue lines.  (The casing is folded twice).  So, I carefully measured on the plans and marked the intersections of the 1/4" extended lines.
 

 
Then I laid the fabric on the plans and using a disappearing fabric marker and drafting techniques laid out the sail on the fabric.
 


 
Then, it was off to the sail making department where skilled craftswoman turned my sketches into reality.  (SWMBO or Admirable).
 

 
I installed the first sail and am generally happy.  I plan on using glue water and gravity to finish it up after the others are installed.


 

Put a few minutes on her today.
 
First, I worked on the replacement anchors I bought.  Everything came in brass and light wood, so I did various things until I was happy with the way they look.  I hung them on some home-made rope (drill press version- I dont have a rope walk), and took some black thread to seize the rope.
 
I don't think the color of the seizing line should not actually be black, now that I think about it, but I like it.
 
I made several rope colls for the deck and some hanks to hang for various jobs.  I tied off the sheets, boom ropes and rigged a rope for the tiller, so that the tillerman could go downstairs for a cup of tea on occassion.
 
Here she sits today.




 
 
 
 
Finnally, I am seriously considering how to display her.  I have an affinity for rocks I suppose, for this rock is really appealing to me. 
 

i pulled the tape off and set everything in place (nothing is glued on).  She don't look too bad!  I'm glad I dropped the white band at the water line. 
 

I started working on my scuppers today.  I didn't like the way the plans indicate the scuppers were on top of the waterways- it looks like it would never drain.  So, I cut into the waterways to make troughs for the water to drain out.
 

 
From the outside, the scuppers (not square up as of yet) look good and are in a reasonable position.

After doing as much work as I planned, I masked and then repainted the remaining waterway. The result is rather not worth the trouble.  At least painted.
 

 
I added the main "bumper" strakes (for lack of a better word at present) and everything appears to fit well together.  I'm more or less pleased, but really don't think it was worth the effort.
 

 
 
 
EDIT: LONG AFTER THIS WAS DONE:
I visited Mystic Sea Port and looked at the Morgan, which was getting ready to be launched after a re-build.  I was surprised to see that her spar deck contained waterways that were above the level of the scuppers- just like this kit showed. 
 
To prevent water from standing a series of 1 inch or so drains were drilled in the waterway that drain to the outside.  In essence, heavy water (like waves) go through the large scuppers, but minor water and pools go through the small holes. 
 
SO, I don't know that I did this right at all.  I am still happy with what I did, but can no longer say that the water would not drain off the deck as shown- unless I wanted some VERY Tiny water drains.

My wonderful clamping technique doesn't work when you can't reach with the clamps.  SO, I decided to use an iron to steam and heat the planks.  The iron worked well and I finished the second planking.  Not great, but I am going to paint.