petehay

And in the reverse order of upload

But they're all upside down!

Here I go with my first build log. I am hoping that this little $9 POF kit will help me get my feet wet with planking. I've had trouble deciphering the instruction sheet and have complained about the poor quality photos included. I sent a copy of the instructions to MSW member Mahuna and he got me started. I am creating this log on my iPad so I hope the photos are OK.

Here we go...

Well I opened it up for the first time last night and yes my plans have the same misprint as yours. Here is a link to a pretty extensive photo log of the virginia

https://picasaweb.google.com/Aquarius.7777777/ArtesaniaLatinaSchoonerVirginia1819

Maybe that will help us both.

Pete

Rebecca,

I've used both tea and coffee to tint watercolor paper and it works great but keep it out of direct sunlight. It can fade in unpredictable ways.

Pete

Thanks all for the replies regarding my book question. One of the members of the model shipwrights group that I just joined is bringing his copy to the next meeting for me to look at.

I would also like to hear David's comments regarding gesso. I used it as a primer on the balsa hull of my Sakonnet Daysailer and ended up with a finish as white and smooth as the styrene plastic of a Revell model kit. This worked on the Daysailer as it looks like a fiberglass hull but it was not what I was after.

Pete

Beautiful job. Your workmanship is an inspiration. I will be using this build as a reference for alot of things.

Pete

Which Chapelle book do you keep referring to?

This kit is still staring me in the face. Anyone willing to try to talk me through the instructions if I send the PDF file?

Are you using double-sided fabric tape (like the Singer brand), or just regular double-sided "scotch" tape?

Pete

Did you glue the hems on the sails?

Pete

Price. That and the build logs on the old MSW site. Others seem to have successfully completed the model ( Virginia 1819) and didn't seem to have too many complaints. I have not started this build yet but I purchased it to be my first attempt at a planked hull.

Pete

Can't wait until you get to the sails. I'm still struggling with getting the sails right on my first build, the Sakonnet Daysailer by Midwest.

Pete

I decided to give the sails a try. Got a little heavy handed penciling in the seams and had to wash them back a bit. What is two-way tape? Do you mean Double sided?

Bob,

The Grand Banks Dory was my first scratch build. In fact it is my first completed boat. I just completed it last week.

I used the plans from the Shearwater site but built it half size at 1:24 scale.

http://www.shearwater-boats.com/doryinst.html

I am going to try to attach a photo taken with my iPad - not the best quality but I'm pretty proud of this little guy.

Pete

Ken,

I picked up some Watco Danish oil (natural finish) and tested it this evening on some mahogany and basswood scraps from a previous Midwest kit and it looks pretty good so far. I brushed on a liberal coat and let it sit 30 minutes, wiped it down and put on another coat. Waited 15 minutes and wiped again. I'll let it cure for 24 hours(?) before putting on another coat. I hope I'm doing this right.

Pete

Janos and Buck,

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to build the dinghy first, then use Danish oil to finish (unless someone here talks me out of it).

Pete

I want to practice using an oil finish. I have chosen Midwest's Dinghy kit to be the guinea pig (before attempting the AL Virginia).

Do I oil the pieces before assembly or oil the completed model - or a combination of both?

Hints or tips?

Pete

I'm toying with the idea of displaying the daysailer with the sails down as opposed to removed. Like when you would be docked at a marina for a beer. Is there a term for this? Where does the jib get stored?

Pete

As I have said the Smack is my next build. In doing preliminary research I found these plans available. Does anyone know if they are applicable to the Midwest kit?

-------------------------------------------------------------

MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM VESSEL PLANS CATALOG

Muscongus Bay Sloop Lucille (R22)
Built in New Harbor ca. 1905. Length 22’. Lines taken from boat in MMM collection.
Profile from borrowed half-model.
Price: $12.00
One sheet of lines. Scale: 1”=1’.

Lobster Smack Satellite (RS13)
Gasoline-powered smack measuring 60’ in length; built in 1916 in East Boothbay by Frank C. Adams. These lines and offsets were drawn by James P. McQuaide from measurements taken by himself, John Bloemendaal and Lynn Riotto in 1995 for MMM.
Price: $12.00
One sheet of lines includes a profile, half-breadth, body plan and offsets. No drawings of superstructure, scantlings, details. Scale: ½”=1’

Dee Dee,

Are your deck planks basswood?

Pete

This is my next build (after rigging the Midwest Sakonnet Daysailer). I built the daysailer (my first wooden boat build) strictly following the instructions. I am looking foward to following your lead and suggestions by others in bashing/customising the Smack. I especially want to ditch the plastic rigging pieces that came with the Daysailer.

Pete

Thank you for bringing this build back. My next build will be the Midwest Lobster Smack. I think you had a build of that also. If so, I would love to be able to access that log again.

Pete

The deck looks very nice. There was a build (before the crash) of this kit where the modeler used either tung oil or Danish oil for all of the finishing on this ship.

Pete