JEB

Really nice.  I didn't know anything about card models, so it was interesting to see your log.

Thanks Chris.  It really did make me feel better about making significant changes in the model after reading your comments on the kit.  It was like permission to stop beating your head agains the wall!  It was so much harder than the Swift, even though both were "beginner" models.

Hi Everyone,

I'm Jim, and I live in Maryland.  I recently FINALLY completed my Corel Flying Fish that I started in about 1984, worked on, on and off until about 1990 when I put it away due to career, business travel, kids & life in general.  I decided to try to finish it in March - with the pandemic shutting everything down, it seemed like if I didn't do it now, I never would.  So, 6 months later after working on it virtually every day, it's finally done.  I'll post some pictures in the completed gallery in a bit.

This forum that you've all created is just phenomenal!  The amount of expertise & skill is just amazing.  I did a fair amount of research on it as I was working on the Flying Fish.  The tips on finishing (had never heard of wipe-on poly), using sanding residue & glue instead of wood filler were really helpful.  CCoyle's comments about the quality of this particular model were also reassuring as I ran into numerous "that can't possibly work" issues that required some creative fudging...err, solutions.

My first wooden model was an Artesania Latina Swift, apparently like many here, which I did in 1981-82.  It's still in one piece & holding up well.  I'll put some of those pictures up later as well.

I learned to sail as a kid growing up in the 60's on Long Island, and have been obsessed with boats ever since.  We learned in prams, Sunfish & Bluejays about oh, 40 ft. from the Port Jefferson-Bridgeport ferry dock...a bunch of 11 year olds, 200 ft ferry?  What could possibly go wrong?? When I got older, some friends from college got me on larger sailboats (charters) in New England & the Caribbean.  Since then we've chartered, either with them, or just our family, about 15 times, usually the BVI's or the Chesapeake.  Most recent one was in the BVI's in early March.  We JUST got out in the nick of time.  Thought we'd get locked out of the US, but made it back.  The BVI's closed about a week later.  It was our first time with a catamaran (great) & our first time to Anegada (very shallow).

Anyway, thanks for putting this forum together - it's just amazing & inspiring!

I'll try to attach an in-progress photo of the FF from 1984(!) & from this past summer.