Dewey

Caroline, Looks great! I found this kit at a flea market about 10 years ago and decided to give it a go. I had never done a ship and had no idea what I was getting into. I screwed up the planking and was so disgusted I put it aside till this past December. I've made a lot of progress and I am getting ready to do the shrouds but I was stuck on the Fore mast. I couldn't figure out where the 5th line went. Your instructions showed me everything I needed to know. I still know nothing about ships and I've made a ton of mistakes but I find I actually love doing this and with help from people like you I know I will get better. Thank you for your hard work and sharing it with us! PS I've actually bought 2 new ships. The Artesania Latina Swift Virginia PILOT BOAT 1805 so I can learn planking on a smaller boat and the Latina San Francisco II because I'm a glutton for punishment.

I bought the San Francisco at a flea market for $50 about 5 years ago. I thought hey I've always wanted to build a ship how hard can it be. I've built 100s of plastic models so I figured it would be a piece of cake. Wrong! I had no clue what I was doing and the instructions (from Artesania Latina) were as clear as mud. So needless to say it started off poorly. I have never heard of planking let alone how to do it. I got the first layer done and it looked so bad I gave up on it and let it sit till this past December. I put the second layer on and moved on. I'm thinking of renaming it to the Titanic because it looks like it has hit multiple icebergs. Well I'm ready to do the rigging and I finally decided to look online to see how others do theirs. First off I want to say you guys are talented an awesome. That being said you guys suck!(jk) I know my ship wasn't going to be good but seeing yours I'm embarrassed to say I'm even doing one. I was going with the excuse that this was my first attempt so no one does real well their first time. Wrong again! But even after all of my mistakes I'm hooked. I'm going to finish this one and use it as a trainer. I have ordered the Artesania Latina Swift Virginia PILOT BOAT 1805. It seems like one more fitted for a beginner. I'm hoping one day I can be at least half as good as some of you. Keep posting your builds so I can see how it's supposed to look. I've even broken down and ordered several books so I actually have a clue this time.