Overworked724

Well, my lack of experience is showing. Spent way to much time overthinking the cap rails and order of attack. Decided to stay with cedar for the caps.  The bow requires finesse and some hand shaping. Went straight with Chuck’s practicum and made the long run portions just back from the bow curvature out of a straight piece of cedar stripping.  Wetted and am force bending those to make installation easier. 
 
One area I’m deviating from the practicum is installing the molding after install.  I’d rather not mess with that so plan to precarve the molding shape in the outer edge of the rails then sand/clean them up before installing.  
 
...that’s my plan anyway...😂

Cedar cuts easy but if you have any cross grain it makes it difficult.
 
 I’m trying to use a #11 blade. Good grief. 🤣

For the curved part I used a coping saw keeping a bit of access material then sanded it off. Maybe you could try this but it's time consuming given its not using a power tool. 
 
I used basswood for this which is relatively easy to sand manually, so not sure how cedar would react.. 

Ok. Wood ‘filler’ is forgiving. Wood not so much. 🤨
 
Redrilled the errant scupper on starboard side. It’s passable but not perfect...but the chainplates will obscure any imperfections. 
 
I’ll note a deviation here from the plans. There should be 5 scuppers in a row on each side starting back from the second sweep hole near the bow. I skipped the hole adjacent to the main mast because I put a butt joint directly beneath that sweep hole on both sides. Symmetry for the win...not.
 

 
It would have looked like crap if I drilled the scupper in the middle of a butt joint...and the steps/rails near that sweep made putting it in off center a non-starter. 
 
Head Bang #1!!!     Note to future self...read the bloody plans. 
 
Ah, well...artistic license for the win!!!
 
Moving on...

 
 
 

Ok. Wood ‘filler’ is forgiving. Wood not so much. 🤨
 
Redrilled the errant scupper on starboard side. It’s passable but not perfect...but the chainplates will obscure any imperfections. 
 
I’ll note a deviation here from the plans. There should be 5 scuppers in a row on each side starting back from the second sweep hole near the bow. I skipped the hole adjacent to the main mast because I put a butt joint directly beneath that sweep hole on both sides. Symmetry for the win...not.
 

 
It would have looked like crap if I drilled the scupper in the middle of a butt joint...and the steps/rails near that sweep made putting it in off center a non-starter. 
 
Head Bang #1!!!     Note to future self...read the bloody plans. 
 
Ah, well...artistic license for the win!!!
 
Moving on...

 
 
 

Well...was bound to happen....
 
Was drilling the holes on the exterior bulkhead for the scuppers. Slipped and gouged one of the holes pretty badly. 
 

 
I could have clean it up best I could and lived with it...but since I screwed up I thought I would test the old adage “Wood is forgiving!”...a phrase so many of my fellow modelers are fond of saying. 
 
Surgery for the mulligan attempt went like this...
 

 

 

 
...we’ll see how my repeat attempt to drill out that scupper works before I say the adage is true. 😣
 
...Going to bed. 

Made (another) faux deck with boxwood. Same thing...just used a section of 1/32” basswood sheeting and laid out some planks using pencil to simulate caulking. No butt joints this time, just some trunnels (cedar) for effect. 
 
After I cut the piece down to slide easily (but snugly) into the second deck area...I added a dollop of natural stain to bring out the trunnels and the color. 
 
To be honest...the cedar deck (right) is still pretty damned nice. But I do like the butterscotch hue and clearly defined round shape of the trunnels of the boxwood deck (left). 
 

 
I’m going with boxwood this time. But it’s nice to have a backup using cedar and that wood is always available (So thankful Chuck’s model company Syren always keeps stock!)
 
Moving on...
 

Well. The bottom of the ship didn’t fall off!  🤣 So that’s a win. 👍🏽

Glacial pace...good grief, I hate work but love my paychaeck.  =-/  
 
Got done with rough planking the interior port side. Realized I’d needed a slightly wider plank along top edge to cover the upward swish on stern and bow...used 7/32” plank along top edge. But still needed a shim on the bow portion. Basically I wanted to ensure that the interior wall was a bit higher that the outboard side so I can fair top of the bulkheads to level without eating into the wood of the shear strake.  I am trying to ensure I get a nice level cap rail...so I'm trying to make it less difficult for when time comes to prep and lay down to cap rails.
 
Bow...
 
You can see the very slight dip on the interior edge nearest the stem after I put in the last plank along the interior top edge.
 

 

 
(Can you see the 'surprise'?  I didn't notice until later!)
 

 
Added a shim along the front top edge....
 

 

 
Then I sanded down with a dremel barrel sander and ensured the inner bulkhead was slightly elevated than the outer.
 

 

 
 
Stern...(hey...the double block looks pretty nice)
 

 
 
 
Midships...fixed blocks are slightly depressed...sanding in my future!
 

 
Port side done...Overall - the rough interior planking looks ok.  With some final sanding and some touch up filler, she'll be ready to paint....Good Lord willing.
 

 
Plus one surprise!!!  A truly WTF moment....
 
Sometime recently, a port side filler block near the bow 'sunk'!!!  Well....s**t.  =-(  Just threw on some glue and continued on...the filler blocks are not my concern and I won't need them for deck planking.  😃 


 
Moving on to the starboard side!!
 

Ah!!!  I have a plan for my cap rail.  I'll share some pics on my build log tonight.  Thought occurred to me how to make the cap rail template for each side to accurately reflect the entire dimension without too much hassle.
 
With regards to the scuppers - don't sweat it.  I tried to go too complicated.  Simple is best.  You just don't need to puncture the hull...you can got part way through with a 1/16" drill bit and call it good.  😃  

Steven, Thomas thank you for the kind words  
 
Carved the timberheads for a couple pics. I haven't glued them as i want to make sure they are not over done. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome!
 

 
 

Perhaps now you now which side of the ship will be displayed?  Great recovery though.   Now dont mind me as I fret over this in addition to every other upcoming step

Thanks, Robin!  🤫. But it’s going to be glaring at me every time I look at it!  The admiral looks at my Sultana and says, “It’s perfect!”  ...and I see so many things I messed up or covered up!  🤣
 
I can see now...my Syren will be no different.  But that’s our hobby!  Gotta love it. 👍🏽

I went all the way through.  My original (finger quote) "plan" was to use copper tubing to fit into the scuppers but it was just too difficult to gauge accurately.  This was why I was doing this now versus after painting and planking the deck.  But...best laid plans so to speak....The scuppers will be as they are...dark holes!  LOL The holes which popped through the other side will be below deck level or covered by the triangular piece which makes up the waterways.  
 

I went all the way through.  My original (finger quote) "plan" was to use copper tubing to fit into the scuppers but it was just too difficult to gauge accurately.  This was why I was doing this now versus after painting and planking the deck.  But...best laid plans so to speak....The scuppers will be as they are...dark holes!  LOL The holes which popped through the other side will be below deck level or covered by the triangular piece which makes up the waterways.  
 

Patrick, are you planning on drilling the scuppers through the hull? Or part way like the instructions suggest? 
 
I went ahead to drill part way since I was scared of messing things up... 

Very nice, crisp and clean work. Your perfectionism shows.

Ok. Wood ‘filler’ is forgiving. Wood not so much. 🤨
 
Redrilled the errant scupper on starboard side. It’s passable but not perfect...but the chainplates will obscure any imperfections. 
 
I’ll note a deviation here from the plans. There should be 5 scuppers in a row on each side starting back from the second sweep hole near the bow. I skipped the hole adjacent to the main mast because I put a butt joint directly beneath that sweep hole on both sides. Symmetry for the win...not.
 

 
It would have looked like crap if I drilled the scupper in the middle of a butt joint...and the steps/rails near that sweep made putting it in off center a non-starter. 
 
Head Bang #1!!!     Note to future self...read the bloody plans. 
 
Ah, well...artistic license for the win!!!
 
Moving on...

 
 
 

A dusty Sunday!  Got the bulkhead tops roughly sanded and squared up.


 
...and finally attacked the sanding of the interior bulkheads. I find that using a rolled up fluffy bath towel twisted double and held with a couple rubber bands makes the perfect sanding cradle. 
 

 

 
My main weapon of choice in sanding is an adhesive backed 120 grit rotary sanding pad doubled up on itself. I trimmed it to shape to allow me easy access across the entire inner bulkhead. Nice thing is it’s thick and holds its shape if you bend it to give it good curvature to reach those curvy areas near the bow. 
 
...and...more bonus pics...
 

 

 

 

 
Moving on!!!!
 
 
 

Ok. Wood ‘filler’ is forgiving. Wood not so much. 🤨
 
Redrilled the errant scupper on starboard side. It’s passable but not perfect...but the chainplates will obscure any imperfections. 
 
I’ll note a deviation here from the plans. There should be 5 scuppers in a row on each side starting back from the second sweep hole near the bow. I skipped the hole adjacent to the main mast because I put a butt joint directly beneath that sweep hole on both sides. Symmetry for the win...not.
 

 
It would have looked like crap if I drilled the scupper in the middle of a butt joint...and the steps/rails near that sweep made putting it in off center a non-starter. 
 
Head Bang #1!!!     Note to future self...read the bloody plans. 
 
Ah, well...artistic license for the win!!!
 
Moving on...

 
 
 

Thanks, Robin!  🤫. But it’s going to be glaring at me every time I look at it!  The admiral looks at my Sultana and says, “It’s perfect!”  ...and I see so many things I messed up or covered up!  🤣
 
I can see now...my Syren will be no different.  But that’s our hobby!  Gotta love it. 👍🏽

Ok. Wood ‘filler’ is forgiving. Wood not so much. 🤨
 
Redrilled the errant scupper on starboard side. It’s passable but not perfect...but the chainplates will obscure any imperfections. 
 
I’ll note a deviation here from the plans. There should be 5 scuppers in a row on each side starting back from the second sweep hole near the bow. I skipped the hole adjacent to the main mast because I put a butt joint directly beneath that sweep hole on both sides. Symmetry for the win...not.
 

 
It would have looked like crap if I drilled the scupper in the middle of a butt joint...and the steps/rails near that sweep made putting it in off center a non-starter. 
 
Head Bang #1!!!     Note to future self...read the bloody plans. 
 
Ah, well...artistic license for the win!!!
 
Moving on...

 
 
 

Thanks, Robin!  🤫. But it’s going to be glaring at me every time I look at it!  The admiral looks at my Sultana and says, “It’s perfect!”  ...and I see so many things I messed up or covered up!  🤣
 
I can see now...my Syren will be no different.  But that’s our hobby!  Gotta love it. 👍🏽

I won't tell anyone Pat, honest  

Ok. Wood ‘filler’ is forgiving. Wood not so much. 🤨
 
Redrilled the errant scupper on starboard side. It’s passable but not perfect...but the chainplates will obscure any imperfections. 
 
I’ll note a deviation here from the plans. There should be 5 scuppers in a row on each side starting back from the second sweep hole near the bow. I skipped the hole adjacent to the main mast because I put a butt joint directly beneath that sweep hole on both sides. Symmetry for the win...not.
 

 
It would have looked like crap if I drilled the scupper in the middle of a butt joint...and the steps/rails near that sweep made putting it in off center a non-starter. 
 
Head Bang #1!!!     Note to future self...read the bloody plans. 
 
Ah, well...artistic license for the win!!!
 
Moving on...