JanHope

Thank you so much for responding to me. Will try the rope for mast hoops - that IS the way they show it on the cover picture. As for the mast, well, the instructions don't have it going through the deck at all. But, since this is a model, I guess we don't need that extra stability. I'll give it a try!

Peter, I know that it has been many years since you built the Zeeschouw, but I have been using YOUR build log more than Billings instructions. I am a beginner and there are so many things that the kit manufacturer assumes that I know Would you mind answering a couple of questions? 1. How to affix the mast to the deck? I see there is a block (Billings calls it the mast step) which I'm supposed to taper and then they show a slot (presumably drill a hole in both the mast and the block) and "something" (they don't say what, maybe just a piece of round) in both. Is this really enough to hold the mast? I have studied and studied the drawings and your pictures. It looks like the mast and this 'maststep' are just touching with that one stick between them, but that seems wobbly to me. 2. No mast hoops? Yikes. Any thoughts on fabricating? I am starting to stare at the paper clips on my desk...

Hello from Florida, USA. I am embarking on my second beginning of modelling - work got in the way during the first "start". So, now I have more time to devote to this very interesting hobby. I am a third-generation modeler and have been waiting to do this, it seems like, forever. I do have two small builds behind me - Midwest's "Maine Peapod" which I did in 2004 and my latest, Midwest's "Musgongus Bay Lobster Smack", finished last month. For the Peapod, I had the good fortune of having my father around. Since then he has passed and I had to struggle to finish the Lobster Smack. That is: until I realized that he had left the same exact boat behind. So, I had something to help me - when I ran into problems, I was able to see how he did it I had started Amati's Nina back in the 1990's and never finished it. I don't feel ready for that level of building, so my next boat is Constructo's Elidir (again, a boat that Dad left behind). I think that it will be harder than the others - the instructions are translated and seem skimpier than Midwest's. I've already encountered problems building Billing Boats building slip, due to poor instructions. Do hope to find some help in these forums! Lastly, I have a Boucher Flying Cloud, started by my grandfather in 1930-something. It needs to be finished - definitely not ready for that! (The attached photo is my father's Musgongus Bay Lobster Smack just behind mine. He has better paint job, but I have better oar locks! I used small spade terminal lugs and bent them slightly...) Jan F.