Keith Black

 Great brush work, Bob. I think both the hull and name plate turned out spiffy. 

 That's neat metal working, Gary. Great construction details and explanation.  

7 minutes ago, Canute said:

Wow, there's finally a break in the action for me to answer a question or 2. I think the bad valve may have started back in the Dark Ages - mid 1990s - while in the Air Force. It became noticeable about 2018 and my cardiac doctors have been tracking it since then. We changed cardio docs last year, mostly due to some over treatment issues my wife had encountered(shes an RN and not to be trifled with in medical affairs). The new crew was/is much more aggressive in treatment. They believe in their tests. Anyway, the leaky valve is still there, but I have an echo scheduled next month or whenever it is  Medicare allows them to do another test. Bureaucrats - phooey.

Good luck with your medical processes.

 Thank you, Ken

 Other than tracking via testing is surgery a possibility or would that be dependent on how bad the leak becomes? The vascular system is something I took for granted till I had my aneurysm surgery five years ago. I've tried to educate myself to some degree but I've been somewhat reluctant as I'm not sure I wanna know how the sausage is made because so many things can go wrong, it's scary.

 Very nice, Bryan. 

 Mark, I'm not doubting you've done your research. What I'm doubting is the rake angles of the fore and main. If you draw a 90 degree angle and overlay it over your model, the fore should have (according to your #112 post) 13.5 degrees from 90 degrees = 76.5 degrees from zero and the main 10 degrees from 90 degrees = 80 degrees from zero.  

 Those are not the angles I'm seeing in the last photo of post #112, IMHO. 

10 hours ago, mbp521 said:

Keith, My MSW time has been almost nonexistent over the past few months or so, but I finally found some time to catch up. I must say, Lula is looking magnificent! 
 

I am truly sorry to hear of your health issues, and wish the best for you on the 30th, and a speedy recovery. 

 

 Thank you, Brian. Good to see you and It's nice that you had an opportunity to stop by. 

 Mark, after visiting other Lynx builds and checking the first photo of your build log it appears that you have the rake set too far astern?

2 hours ago, Knocklouder said:

 I broke up the Bowsprit yard off , for the first time  lol.

 As Pinocchio was leaving the house to go out and play Geppetto called out, "and remember to stay away from dat fella Mr Knocklouder" 

On 4/24/2025 at 6:15 PM, lraymo said:

Thanks Keith!  I consider myself one of the gang, and seeing all the friends you've got here, you have a wealth of support getting through these next challenges!

 Thank you, Lynn. Yes, I am truly blessed by my MSW family. 

 GS, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. 

1 hour ago, gjdale said:

Lula is looking fantastic Keith. Very sorry to hear of your health issue. You are in my thoughts for the 30th and I wish you a speedy recovery.

 Thank you, Grant. 

 Impressive model, Phil. 

7 minutes ago, lraymo said:

Wow, I go off to play golf for awhile and come back to changes!  I will be sending healing thoughts for you on the 30th and afterwards for whatever the next steps are.  Meanwhile, will be thinking of you.  Lula looks fantastic!  I like the rigging on her... looks great!

Lynn, thank you so very much for thoughts and for the kind words regarding Lula. I hope you know when I say "you guys" that you're included. 

4 hours ago, clearway said:

naaa more of an open sea kinda person- my dad was a fisherman and first time i went out  to sea was when i was 12 years old.

 I commercial salmon fished when we lived in Alaska. In all the narrowboat YouTube vids I've seen I've yet to see a narrowboat swap ends. I didn't much care for swapping ends on a 32 foot Bristol Bay gillnetter.  

 Amazing, Roel. That looks so realistic. 

https://www.amazon.com/Model-Shipways-Pedestal-Brass-28mm/dp/B097C8MR42/ref=asc_df_B097C8MR42?mcid=f6a6e7708458395cab9593de10160427&hvocijid=16410595949143541372-B097C8MR42-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16410595949143541372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1019476&hvtargid=pla-2281435178058&psc=1

https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/msw/msw813.htm?source=froogle&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_tmOSTh7S6ie6D1GQOEwMtTRtvp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItKfR8cbsjAMV_EH_AR1WOS8UEAQYAiABEgLPZ_D_BwE

https://www.bluejacketinc.com/cases-pedestals-baseboards/

Are you into the narrowboats and canal cruising? There are a couple of YouTubers that post vids of their canal journeys that i enjoy watching. If I were to have moved to the UK I'm pretty sure I would have wound up being an owner of a narrowboat. 

 MW, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. 

On 4/22/2025 at 8:31 AM, Cathead said:

Phrasing, my friend, phrasing...Don't type stuff like that where Maggie can hear.

Eric, I hide my computer under my mattress. 

35 minutes ago, FriedClams said:

using it for kindling was easier.

 LOL 🤣

On 4/20/2025 at 3:09 PM, clearway said:

ouch fingers crossed for you on the 30th Keith- Lula is looking great.

 Thank you, Keith.

On 4/20/2025 at 5:55 PM, MAGIC's Craig said:

I join the others in wishing both of you the best results and a return to easy health. Your model creations and teaching tips are a great boost to all of us who follow along.

 Thank you, Craig. 

On 4/20/2025 at 8:34 PM, TBlack said:

Keith, dear brother, It's my view that in our lives on this planet we are given hurdles to get over, and how we deal with these hurdles defines who we are. You've been handling this hurdle exceptionally well....grace and style. I'm proud of you!

 Tom, thank you dear brother.

On 4/20/2025 at 9:28 PM, GrandpaPhil said:

I hope all goes well.  You’re in our thoughts and prayers too!
 

Also, Lula looks fantastic!

 Thank you, Phil.

23 hours ago, mcb said:

Lula is looking fine, almost finished now.  Ready for the crew.

The letters are quite a good match to the original.  Well worth adding them.

 

Hoping you make out alright with your troubles.

 Thank you, mcb. When fighting the small letters for New York I decided then and there that transfer lettering was an invention of the devil with the intent of trying a man's patience.

 It's hard keeping my hands off Lula. 

On 4/20/2025 at 2:36 AM, JacquesCousteau said:

Really fantastic job! To my eyes, at least, it still has plenty of quirkiness (in a good way). Hoping that all goes well for you!

 Thank you, Jacques. 

On 4/20/2025 at 2:39 AM, Knocklouder said:

Your on the top of my list, the wind is out of my sails. I don't know the correct trem but that's it.  Stays strong my friend and hurry back . All my thoughts and prayers. 

 Thank you, Bob. Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me.

On 4/20/2025 at 8:19 AM, Glen McGuire said:

You are quite the matchmaker, Keith!  I'm sure it was love at first sight!

 

A masterful job on both Lula and the pile driver.  I will miss your updates, but I pray that the scan results are favorable and you are back to finish up Lula and the Tennessee very soon.

 Thank you, Glen. I fell in love with Lula on first sight that's for sure. Thank you for your prayers. 

On 4/20/2025 at 8:40 AM, Cathead said:

OK, now, here I'm going to up and say that you're flat-out wrong. That's a delightfully quirky little vessel, all the more so because she's truly quirky in that she's unique. Rather than just replicating another vessel's quirks, you made her your own. 

 

Cambridge English Dictionary: "Quirky: unusual in an attractive and interesting way". That's the very definition of your Lula.

 

In all your prep work for the upcoming surgery, how long have you budgeted for training your sister to finish detailing and weathering for you? Not to mention keeping up with MSW on your behalf. Priorities are priorities, you know.

 Thank you, Eric. If I had another the years of good health I don't know if I'd be able to get my sister up to speed considering I'm still trying to get myself up to speed. 

On 4/20/2025 at 8:40 AM, Cathead said:

I keep expecting to see a strand of spaghetti running between them...

 There is a bit of Lady and the Tramp about them.

On 4/20/2025 at 9:24 AM, Desertanimal said:

You and Maggie are in my thoughts. Best of luck with these issues! 

 Thank you, Chris.

On 4/20/2025 at 10:25 AM, FriedClams said:

They are indeed a handsome couple, and I concur with Eric that Lula is "a delightfully quirky little vessel."  And dripping with charm I might also add.

 

It's good to hear your sister will be visiting for support, but hopefully you won't need surgery, or perhaps a simpler solution/procedure is recommended. Try to stay positive, Keith - I know, easier to say than do.

 Thank you, Gary. 

 Good to see some progress on this project, Keith. You're well on your way to making a nice model out of this. 

Cutting that hull in half is like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. It looks like it turned out great, Glen. 

Thank you all for your kind comments, thoughts, support and especially your prayers.  

 This evening was the last I'll be working on Lula for awhile. I need to direct my attention to getting the house and Maggie squared away for the upcoming events. My youngest sister is coming up from Arkansas to be here should I need surgery to help Maggie and to help me during recovery so I need to get a bedroom ready for her.

 The inspiration

 and Lula the pile driver tender. Unfortunately I missed capturing the quirkiness of the original Lula though I think I was able to replicate a little of her spirit. The necessary enlargements of the engine room and the pilothouse (because of the stove) eliminated the quirkiness that I was originally drawn to. To carry out the task of a tender Lula had to be redesigned but I tried to minimize that. Maybe someday, Lord willing, I'll try to build Lula the car ferry. 

 On the forward wall I placed the levers as close to the windows as possible where i could add "New York" below Lula. For whatever reason the letters wouldn't transfer. Seven little letters, after two hours I threw in the towel If I try again I'll need to order another sheet of letters. 

I still need to add a bell and steam whistle to the front of the pilothouse. I need to add railing and two more lanterns, attach the dinghy, and add weathering/grunge.  

 Lula and the pile driver, a tender love story. 

 Thank you again, guys. i consider each and everyone of you as family and you make my world a better place.

   Keith