Started in 1984, finished 1 st layer of planking & two deck houses. Put away in about 1990 for 30 years, decided to try finishing it in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. 6 months of daily effort finished it.
Never did really figure out hull planking. Turned out ok, but don't look too closely! Had a very hard time getting it acceptable at the bow. Amazing what you can cover up with stain.
Was amazed that the "flexible beech board" actually was flexible after 30 years (after soaking in water).
Almost decided to cut back the bowsprit & main boom, as they seemed really excessive, but in the end didn't. Glad I didn't.
Was scared to death to cut out the construction bulkheads, leaving the bulwarks supported without them. It worked, but I was prepared for disappointment there.
Virtually non-existent instructions. Just "make like drawings".
Parts list is very good though. Only way to figure out what's used for what.
I (probably over)simplified rigging. Didn't want to attempt ratlines. Afraid I'd mess it up.
Didn't use rigging that came with it. Got some Amati that worked better.
Thought the bulwarks were too low at the bow, so I raised them
The bowsprit supports didn't seem to work where the drawing said they should be, so I raised them.
Thought the bulwarks were too high at the stern & obscured the deck house, so I kept them lower
The anchor capstan looked way too big, so I didn't use it & made a smaller, simpler one.
There wasn't enough chain to run the anchor chain as shown in the drawings.
Didn't like the stern rail, so I changed it
Didn't like the transom piece, so I planked over it.
The deadeye straps for the topmasts were too short & wouldn't work. Replaced them with brass wire to a brass strap on mast
The brass rings that were supposed to go around the base of the masts where they go through the deck wouldn't work due to the rake of the masts, so I made raised wooden areas around the base of the masts.
Added gaff sheets not shown on drawings because they seemed necessary.
Ordered pre-made boom & gaff goosenecks rather than making from scratch.
Didn't use spreaders for the shrouds to the mastheads. Was afraid they'd be too fragile.
Didn't use sails
Didn't use display base
Things I learned:
You don't have to follow everything exactly. Be ready to get a bit creative.
When you think you can do that one extra thing today, STOP, walk away, let the glue actually dry & come back tomorrow.
You can get virtually any part you need from the amazing on-line vendors.
ModelersCentral is in Australia! Takes a while to get to the US (like a month). But they're great.
Gorilla wood glue sets up faster than you'd think. I liked it.
