Vinnie

I’m back…it’s been a busy few weeks. So will be good to post to the community and get any feedback there might be…the following is how I did things chronologically, however the photos are not necessarily chronological…because I’m bad at taking photos as I go 😅…will have to work on that…

Well the keel is planked including in some tricky areas. The garboard plank is done also. So will be ready to dive right into hull planking when the time is right 

Here are some photos of the nearly fully done inferior deck, and the process I went  to complete the tree nailing. After the tree nailing I gave it a thorough sanding in preparation for a later coat of polyurethane. I was aware that it was going to be more difficult to sand this inferior part of the deck once the benches were glued in…

This is the inferior deck nearly completed. At this point I’ve just got to finish decking at the stern of the bireme, finish the tree nailing give it a thorough sanding and and then I’ll be ready for the crews seats/benches. 

Planked, tree nailed and sanded…ready for benches

The obligatory photos of the ship builders mate slacking off and napping as usual 🥹….while I’m hard at work 

The next thing I did was cut all the benches where the crew sit and row the Bireme… these benches were quite intricate… they were cut at an 83° angle…the instructions seemed to indicate to let them overlap the inferior deck a little bit… so had to carefully cut out the thickness of the inferior deck planking out of each bench. And also the shape of the corresponding areas of the interior of the bulkheads.

Here are some photos of a bench that i made and then rejected putting on my model because it was not quite right…just to show you guys what was involved in making these  

I ended up being quite happy with the results of all 26 benches anyway…

Here are some photo angles of the deck, completed, the tree nails sanded the benches attached, and I put on a coat of non-sheen oil based polyurethane. Wasn’t happy with the initial results…it came out fairly waxy…I sanded it all back…with some difficulty though… because working around these bulkheads and benches was tricky when sanding…but got it done…added about 20 percent turps to the polyurethane…and it turned out a lot better 😊

Some areas of the plywood bulkheads will still be visible even once the boat is fully planked…so I covered these areas with mahogany…this is me pre heat bending them before gluing…

The instructions are pretty bare bones for this kit…as I continued my build…I started to realize that getting the upper bow planks to attach to bulkhead 3 (circled) was going to require some creativity 🤔

….i wish I took some more step by step photos…but long story short I made this out of extra walnut planks. And this is the result, I’m quite happy with it  

As some might have noticed…I’m in the process of planking the outriggers…looking forward to uploading more pics when I’ve completed that and get all your feedbacks…I think/hope it will be shorter timeframes between posts now  

Thanks so much Keith…I actually have that book…and thank you for reminding me that I can rely on it for rigging references in the future

Thanks for all the advice and comments everyone…I’ve done some thinking…and maybe I’m prepared to challenge myself and try something other than a double planked hull…I’ve been Looking/considering a Constructo 1:50 Bounty…if anyone has any further commentary please let me know…I feel quietly confident about my ability in the hull…its just the rigging that I think I’ll need a lot of help with. So I’m hoping that whatever mode I go with, it will hav thorough rigging instructions

Well it’s been too long…

hello all who are interested …this will technically be my second build…however my last build (Hms Bounty) very sadly 😢…suffered a catastrophic accident and now no longer exists…no matter…I will build another better one…I learned a lot on my last build and intend to reach for higher levels of craftsmanship in the future on another bounty, but in the meantime while I considered which one to buy. I started work on this little Bireme. I’ve been at it for about 2 months now, but from this point hopefully I’ll post smaller more regular posts…

so, like several other past logs I’ve read, I’ve noticed the usual disappointments. The instructions are very vague, and some of the laser cutout pieces are inaccurate. However, the fun of model ship building is sometimes, problem-solving…so let’s do this.

at a snails pace, I added one bulkhead each day, obsessing over, trying to make it as square as possible. I end up being mostly satisfied with results, but I think next time, I could probably find tool that would do a better and easier job.

trying to fix some of the inaccurate frames… ended up being quite happy with my efforts…

The admiral took a photo of me using some tracing paper to trace off the plans for the stern cut out section… the balsa that is essential to complete this kit is not included. This is another criticism I have of this kit many parts that you need to finish simply aren’t inside the kit. Anyway…went out and have got a nice stash for my future balsa needs

a lot of the frames will still be quite visible when the model is finished…so I ordered some mahogany strips to cover up exposed areas…stern section all smooth and shaped. 
Planked and sanded the inferior deck. Thought long and hard about whether or not to simulate tree nails. Did research on whether they where historically accurate…apparently a resounding yes…did a few test samples…I used toothpicks as the tree nails…

they seem less visible than what I imagined…however I still think they will add some nice details…so I’m going to go ahead with tree nails…

Will probably do tree nails on the walnut hull planking also…

in the process of doing the garboard plank…

and that is where I’m up to…please let me know if there are any suggestions or pieces of advice

Really enjoying watching your determination overcome some of the quirks of this older kit. Will grab a cold one pull up a seat, and looking forward to seeing where you go from here😎🍺…as far as I can find…this build is the only Mantua Bounty build on this website…i was considering ordering a mantua Bounty myself…but hard to know if some of the quirks your experiencing with this kit have been rectified in the last few years. 🤷 

It’s been quite a few years since I posted on this site…but I’m back and I’m ready to dive back into some shipbuilding. Just a question I had for the community though…I’m considering getting another (sad story for a build log) Bounty kit. But I’m a bit up in the air about which one to get. At the moment I’m considering either a Mantua or an Amati Bounty kit. So definitely a Bounty kit…just not sure on which brand. As long as it ticks the boxes of being a double planked kit, and the instructions dont totally leave me in the dark when it comes to the rigging, I’m exited. Any input or comments about those brands of kit or any other potential Bounty kits I could order would be welcomed. 😎😁
 

Hello folks! 👋...it’s been a while since I’ve show you all where I’m at. I’ve been going slowly but steadily and here’s where things are. All the shrouds are finally done! I’m fairly happy with the results...

i wasn’t happy with the bobstays and shrouds at the bow. So I re-did them with some thicker rope. And I’m happier with the result...it’s hard to get a picture that shows them up 😕 in this last pic if you can spot the looped rope that goes around the fore mast it’s the start of my first stay 😁and here’s my first crack at a weaved mouse...pretty enjoyable to make except for the shaping of the little wood piece that the weaving goes over. In short it was fiddly agony to shape 😡.  Oh well only 9 more to go!!! Would love any constructive critiques people 😊

Starting to really come together now Dave...and she’s spectacular...will look really good in a nice case somewhere in the house. You mightn’t be game to consider but have you decided whether you will do another boat once this beauty is finished? 

Very nice Fernando! Thanks for showing me and others...a real labor of love there 😊...much work to go, but you will feel rightly proud to have been a part of that after she is all finished! 

10 hours ago, Fernando E said:

Hi Vinnie and Welcome back from your holiday!

 

Your model is coming along nicely, those blocks look good as well as the rigging. The wood finish also looks beautiful....well done! 

 

Did you get a ride on the James Craig? It's a great looking vessel and is part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet (not part of the NMM). I'm a member of the fleet and helping restoring a 106 year old Sydney Ferry. Lots of work to be done and will take another 10 years or so before she ready to again take on fare paying passengers but a great way to spend some spare time....sanding, painting, scraping woodworking etc.....a nice distraction from small model boat building😎

 

Cheers................Fernando 

 

 

Thanks Fernando 😁 I’m glad you like the timbers. And the blocks...I’m glad I went through and got them. 

Unfortunately I was there on a Saturday and it supposedly most goes out on Sunday...oh well I have it as a goal to be on a square rigger with the sheets spread one day! 

Wow id love to see pics of this restoration Fernando! What hard yet satisfying work that would be 😊

Hello mates! Again over due for an update! The last few weeks having hectic and events have run away...in the time since my last post I went down to Sydney and visited the Endeavor replica and the James Craig...thoroughly enjoyed myself. And then went on an ocean cruise to the pacific islands. Again...had another nautically themed great time 😁...the admiral apparently enjoyed the cruise more though.  

This is how she looks from afar...

So, up has gone the main and mizzenmast. Then attached the shrouds then attached the the catharpins as a bit more detail...a pretty simple story really. But I time consuming one also... other than that all I can say else that I’ve done is blacken some nails on the deadeye chains and attach blocks, blocks...and more, you guessed it...blocks! Can also see in this above photo the results of my serving machine!  And if you spot the difference from my last lot of photos...the Bounty launch is gone. I thought it was a tad ugly. Needed some touch up and maybe a second launch also. Anyway...orderd some 🚣  from modelers central...will see how I go! 

Next onto onto some various other blocks. And then some futtock shrouds...can’t wait to get stuck into them! Hopefully I’ll post photos of them soon! 😁 

Looking forward to any constructive criticism or comments! 

So...update on where things are at. After many hours of research and experimenting with techniques things are now starting to move along. Hopefully from this point on I’ll be able to keep the updates coming a bit thicker and faster. 

Firstly I got to use my new serving machine on the bowsprit shrouds...

and also fit a bobstay.

I replaced all the tiller rigging with the syren blocks that I’ve received... they come up much nicer...

old blocks...

new blocks...

new blocks installed 

Next fit the foremast...in order to get the correct degree slant on the mast I thought a jig would be the most practical and straight forward way to go. This simple jig is just a rubber band and a carefully carved piece of timber.

Next started rigging the shrouds. I went and did the apparently authentic throat seizing...unfortunately once the lanyards were attached you can hardly tell

Next did the catharpins...a very painstaking job...but I’m fairly happy with how it came out...The top is a bit of a mess at the moment...

Mamoli blocks are just holding the place up there until my appropriate sized syren blocks get here 😁...looking forward to making it a bit neater. 

And a nice lil persons eye view of the deck! 

...so much to do...hopefully will have another update shortly...

I like what you’ve done with the decking Hellmuht...nice weathering effect. Looking forward to seeing more pics 😁

That sounds like a nightmare Ulises! I’m glad the damage isn’t catastrophic and you’ve decided to fix it. Looking forward to seeing pictures...

It stinks going back over old work. But like fnick said it’ll be a good laugh when she’s finished 😁

Vin

Exquisite rigging Dave....you’ve set the bench mark for the aspiring rigger. No compromise for quality mate👌

Thanks a million pat! Well described....That certainly makes me feel better about proceeding...

And yes! I have been occasionally looking at some Endeavor builds for reference...I have noticed many similarities in the rigging...I’ll have a closer look at some Endeavor builds also and hopefully find some good pictures of what is going on with main top mast and main top mast preventer stay...

Hi guys. I seek someone’s expertise again...

I am at the point in my build where I am trying to get in early and attach all future standing and running rigging blocks before I make the job harder when shrouds and stays are in the way...

This is the best illustration in my instructions that I can find that will illustrate the proble I am having. It is the fore mast. My particular query is in regards to block 288 on the instructions.after many hour of research and going through books and build logs I tentatively say “I think I have figured out” that block 288 runs down to the port side of the fore mast, attaches to another block and then continues directly downwards and the belays to the deck at the base of the mast (on the port side)  The instructions are vague/nonexistent on confirmation. 

So my question is, if all my assumptions are correct then does the rope head directly down and directly behind the main mast here (in the white circle) in which case I’ll have to do some serious modifications to the top.

Or does the line simply pass down to the port side? (blue arrow) all the pictures I’ve seen of the main mast stay block have it pointing directly aft. So if it does pass to the port side I imagine there would be some rubbing and chafing...I don’t know. If anyone could help me id appreciate it...I have the book “anatomy of the Bounty” but it’s illustrations of rigging are so small scale I can see what’s going on. If I haven’t explained myself and my question properly please let me know so I can better explain it...

6 hours ago, Fernando E said:

Hi Vinnie...and good to see you are back in the shipyard.

I am keen to buy the Syren blocks as well as the rope (ready made stuff) as it looks fantastic and has been recommended by a few builders on this site. I'm due to finish my brothers Santa Lucia in the next couple of weeks and will start  on the Modellers Central Perseverance soon after.

 

Nice work on the cannons and the rope coils....how did you get them so neat and tidy?

 

Cheers..........Fernando 

Hey Fernando...I will be catching up on your Santa Lucia progress soon😁 

Yes I cant wait for my syren blocks to get here to try some out! 

As regards the rope coils I’m glad u like them 😊...basically i just turned some low tack tape upside down (sticky side up) used some tweezers to coil them onto the tape into a shape I was happy with. Once I was happy I got a little bit of wood glue and put some over all the coiled rope. Once it dries it just needs to be peeled off with tweezers and all done! 

If u have any more questions let me know...I can send you some pics of the tape I use if you like too 😬

So got an update guys...although I really feel like I should have more done by the amount of time it’s been. The last few weeks however have been mostly research and gathering together a couple of tools and techniques to try and improve the quality of my model. I’ve ordered a serving machine and am looking forward to incorporating that into my build. I’ve also ordered some blocks from Syren model ships. From the pictures I’ve seen they look second to none. I’m hoping to be able to do my Bounty with them. But because of stock issues I’ve only been able to order 1, 2 and 3 hole 4 mm blocks and I need many other varieties. So I’m hoping I can find enough patience and tasks for my keen hands until I can get ahold of some more, because I don’t want to do half of the Mamoli blocks and half syren blocks...it will be one or the other...I’ll decide soon. 

so firstly I rigged up the canons and fit them. (My bad photo habits mean that most of the photos are out of chronological order 😩) 

then i started construction on the masts and bowsprit. I stained the dowls walnut. At this stage they are only dry fitted. I want to make it easier for lashing shrouds and blocks ect. I’ll glue them at the last possible moment...

as stated I purchased a serving machine. I’m looking forward to using it when I start the shrouds. However I’m trying to stay patient to wait for blocks to get here so I don’t block off access to the deck and make it a nightmare to get blocks onto the deck. Anyway I couldn’t help myself and I had to give it a try. I’m very happy with the results. I used quilting thread to serve this fawn colored rope to see how well it came out.and then finally today I scratched together all my painting materials and put some color on the figurehead for my ship 😁

Hopefully I next time I post I’ll have some syren blocks on my deck and shrouds running everywhere! ...well from the mast to the channel...hopefully 😬

I’m glad to hear it’s worked well  ...I discovered on another build log these “serving machines” and I’ve ordered one from domanoff workshop a few days ago. I can’t wait till it gets here!

She’s a real beauty hellmhut. I love how weathered your deck looks! 

It appears that you have served the part of the shroud that goes around the mast...if you have may I ask what your method was? 

Thanks for the recommendations everyone I’ve already ordered some! 

8 minutes ago, Mark P said:

Hi Vinnie;

 

Your picture doesn't show it,  so unless it is shown elsewhere,  there was a rounded piece of timber,  the bolster,  set on top of the trestle-trees.  This was to ensure that the shrouds did not sit against a sharp edge,  and become weakened by it. 

 

Also,  on many ships,  the shrouds were not the first ropes to go over the masthead.  If you are making a warship,  take a look at James Lees' 'Masting and rigging of English Ships of War'.  If it is a merchant vessel,  try Underhill's 'Masting and Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier', which is very well illustrated and informative,  written by a man who loved sailing ships,  when there were still enough of them around for him to have personal experience of them.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

Thank you mark p...It seems my kit doesn’t include this detail. I will also take this into account and will do some research. And then do some kit bashing 

As I said I am working on the Bounty which I imagine was rigged as a merchant even after her RN refit. Thank you for the book recommendations, I need to build up my stash and will take your advice 

Wow thank you Jim Lad that really helps...and you answered even the next question I was going to ask if you told me that both ends of the pair where on the same side and there was an odd number of shrouds! ...mind blown

21 minutes ago, Thistle17 said:

Vinne:

You neglect to say what you are building. That said, I suggest you look at some examples on this web site. Look at EdT's,Young America clipper starting at page 76 where he begins working the shrouds. Also if you look at the Syren's,Cutter Cheerful you will see not all shrouds are served completely. Hope this helps.

Joe

Apologies thistle17...I’m working on the Bounty...and having a ball doing it