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Nirvana and Steve,  Thanks much for the kudos, I appropriate your kind words, the technique worked well, but I can't take credit for it, that goes to Hubert Sicard.
 
An update,
the build is progressing, though slowly...I snapped the main mast yet again, this time serving the shrouds to it, that repair set me back a bit.  The rigging is fairly simple for this little boat but since I've added sails it's slightly different from what Chuck laid out in the practicum.  I'm rethinking every step two and three time prior to execution to eliminate any redos...with that said, the mast is up and all the lines associated with the main sail run.
 
Once the boom blocks were installed I set it at the angle seen in the photos and coated the block rigging with ca to stiffen it, allowing it to hold the boom in that position. The shrouds are up but not mounted to the deadeyes as yet, I'm gonna do them last...moving to the bow and jib sail next.  As always, thanks for your time and attention, Pics follow
J
 
 
 

OK so lets see...you can't cut it...can't touch it, breath fumes or dust from it...sounds nice? :huh:  Seriously  the boom jaws look great, have you calculated how many different species you used?
J

More pics...finishing out the interior

Finally decided on a paint scheme and got it on the hull, yellow ocher, red ocher, black and white.   The risers and thwarts, platforms and floorboards are stained a light cherry, though not yet installed, I need to seal the hull yet and wanted the paint to cure for at least 24.  Pics follow
J

Hello all,
Another update on the longboat, got all the bulkheads broken out, you can see the mess in the bow from the extra blocking I had installed and the repair on the busted ribs. Followed this with a good sanding/fairing of the interior of the boat, take care here...to aggressive and you'll break more ribs leading to more repair (yea... I know from experience).
 
Once I was happy with the sanded finish I moved on to the cap rail, here I deviated from the instructions and made the template with card stock instead of directly on the basswood, that way I could trace it out as many times as I needed to get it right and not mess up the kit supplied wood. Glad I did cause it took three tries to get something I was satisfied with. The patterns were then cut out and transferred to the basswood sheet. The rails were cut oversize and applied then sanded to the finished dimensions supplied in the instructions.
 
The 1/32 x 1/32 trim was applied next, I used a compass set to the correct dimension to provide a guideline on the hull. This was followed by more sanding and a coat of primer. The hull was set aside to dry...while waiting I made the fore and aft platforms following the practicum, I added some battens to the undersides though, just to add more strength. These were then sanded and notches filled to fit around the respective ribs. I'm debating whether to stain these pieces or just use an oil finish on them...haven’t decided yet...
 
That's all for now, as always thanks for your time and attention, Pic follow
THX
J

Hey all,
This will be my second build log.  After spending a little more then a year on my Half Moon I thought I'd do something a little smaller.  I had picked up the 18th Century Longboat from Model Shipways last year and thought it would fit the bill, this kit was designed for Model Shipways by our own Chuck Passaro.
 
The kit consists of laser cut basswood parts, basswood planking, dowels and all the fittings and hardware.  Also included are some nice printed decorations to apply to the sides and transom, two pages of in scale plans and a excellent practicum written by Chuck.
 
Before I get into the details of the build I'd like to share a recent experience.
  You may know that Chuck has a business making and selling model ship fittings, Syren Ship Model Company.  I recently ordered some brass cannon barrels for a future scratch build project, and looked forward to their arrival.  Which never occurred...seems the Post Office lost my order.
  I contacted Chuck to find out what kind of package was used as I needed that info for a lost package claim, well imagine my surprise when they arrived today...not my original order but a second shipment Chuck had sent, totally unsolicited, to replace my lost order.
   In this day and age this type of customer service is unheard of...and I believe noteworthy, this gentlemen has earned my future business and I hope my tale will prompt you to visit his site and maybe place an order, excellent product line and as I've stated superb customer service.  Give the site a visit. http://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/
 
The Longboat build:
I plan this build to be pretty much be out of the box...with the exception of the paint scheme and the supplied decorations.  I'm also toying with the idea of adding sails, billowing ones! but we'll see.
 
I started by cutting the rabbit into the false keel and gluing the keel to it, the frames were then separated from their backings and test fit... all of mine had a distinct stbd cant to them...this was easily fixed with some light file work.  The frames were then glued up, once dry they were marked with a compass to indicate where the first stark will lay. 
THX for your time and attention...Pics follow
J
 
 
 
 

Hi everyone,
The gaff and boom were prepared and mounted to the mast and the chains and deadeyes installed, also served the two shrouds.
 
The work on making and mounting the sails continued, after they were stained and hemmed I decided to sew on the bolt rope...I now have a new respect for those who use needle and thread!   I lost track of how many times I stabbed myself and getting the stitches close in size and shape proved a real challenge.  I think next time I do sails the bolt ropes will be glued on!
 
As I said in my first post I wanted billowing sails... to accomplish that I borrowed a tip from Hubert Sicard's Dummies site and clipped the sails to a fan turned on full, this filled them out nicely.  I  then painted them with a solution of diluted white glue...three coats were applied allowing each to dry before the application of the next.   Worked very well. 
 
There will be three sails total but only two, the jib and main will be raised and full...the inner jib will be furled or stowed, haven't decided which yet
 
Hanks were made from 28 gauge wire and installed on the jib through pre-punched holes...then back to stitching to lace the boom and gaff to the main sail.  Well that's were she rests at this point, next the mast will be stepped and the rigging started.   THX for your interest and time...Pics follow
J

Good morning, Popeye..And thanks for taking the time to reply to my inquiry.  It looks like we'll probably end up with a self healing mat since they're available so close to home.  I imagine CA and white glue will eventually create another layer of matting before Charlene is finished. The admiral said she wants to get started this weekend.  I guess Easter Sunday will not stop her mad rush to build the Bounty.  Take care and best...
Jerry

Good afternoon everyone..
A steady day at the dry dock today.. We were able to complete the attachment of the fore mast top yard leaving two more yards (the lower fore mast yard and the spirit sail yard) to go. Hopefully we will accomplish most of that tomorrow.  It was a little tricky today when it came to constructing the spider web at the main stay.  The end of the pendant truss line is tied around a deck cleat which can be adjusted any time.  I say this because i believe I may have a little too much stress on the main stay from the pendant truss..  Maybe not...  Thanks to anyone who may read this and make any comments which are always appreciated.  Pictures to follow:
Bersty,
Jerry
 
P.S.  Tonight is reserved to help the admiral complete her work space.

Tis always better to share :P

The skiff sounds like it will a fun build to follow, I'm reserving my seat now!

Hi Steve...a good friend had a antique business and he showed me the basics and I took an adult education class to fill in the blanks.   I've been doing art glass ever since, as a hobby mostly, gifts and a few commission pieces, nothing huge but enough to keep the skills honed.   The true teacher is practice.
 
That little tool you have will work just fine if the scoring wheel is sharp and not rusty, that's the first thing...glass does not cut, you score to create a controlled break...the stuff you see in the movies where they "cut" the perfect circle in the middle of a pane and it just pops out is a lot of BS.  The wheel should be lubricated as well, any light weight oil works...I've talked to folks that have used kerosene, though I wouldn't recommend it! 
 
  If your interested check to see if any community colleges classes are offered in your area, you might also check for stained glass shops, most I've dealt with offer classes as well, and if not the proprietor may well be willing to share info.
J

Thanks, J and John. I'm just using whatever is in my scrap box because I'm cheap. Like I said, I'm a compulsive wood hoarder. But just for fun...let's see, there's lots of maple, some walnut, a little ebony, a little boxwood, some mahogany, the desert ironwood, and the mysterywood planking that came with the kit. Actually, the ironwood cuts nicely with a spiral coping saw blade. Planes work on it too, if you like to sharpen blades. The stuff files like metal and can be sanded to a high polish, like ebony. It's pretty cool stuff, but I think I'm allergic to the oil in it. I learned that when I made some fretboards out of it. Nice fretboards, but big fat welts on the palms of my hands. Anyways, no welts yet after one set of jaws.
 
And, speaking of different woods, I'm thinking of trying a scratch build after this kit is done. There's a cool little skiff with a leg-o'-mutton rig from the "Perfect Skiff" competition that Wooden Boat magazine held many years ago. They included the lines of the skiff in that issue, and I'm thinking that might be a good way to get a taste of scratchbuilding. I've got a plank of sycamore out in the garage that has a beautiful silking pattern in the grain. I'm thinking it would make beautiful hull planking...
 
Steve

OK so lets see...you can't cut it...can't touch it, breath fumes or dust from it...sounds nice? :huh:  Seriously  the boom jaws look great, have you calculated how many different species you used?
J

Thanks again, J, for the advice on glass cutting. I'll let you know how it goes--and how many stitches it took!
 
Here's a tiny bit more progress. I've started to work on the boom and gaff. I used a scrap of desert ironwood to make a pair of jaws for the boom. It's strange wood--sinks in water, miserable to work with an edge tool, but it files like a dream. Because of its density and tight grain, I thought it wood be a good material to make a small, thin, curved piece out of. Oh yes, and the sawdust and oil is toxic. I'll have to wait a week or so before I make the gaff jaws, or I'll break out in welts on my hands. Other than that, it's lovely stuff.
 
Steve

Good eveining everyone.  It looks like I'm in full running mode; that is running rigging mode..  I have been able to ship a couple of yards and tie them in alhough the going has been slowed down due to interpreting the directions and plans.  I really shouldn't complain about the directons especially having had a look at the Amati plans for the Admiral's HMS Bounty.  She seems to have acquired a touch of nerves and thinks she study Italian before starting her build.  Well, my friend Yamsheed at Premier Models came through for her in flying colors with a set of English instructions which should slightly ease the situation as they are minimal at best.
 
Back to the Half Moon....
I'm attaching several photos of deatils in the rigging of the Mizzen Mast  Lateen Yard and the Lower Yard of the Main Mast.  I hope they are clear enough to understand.  I still have the Main Yard lanyard to complete but tomorrow's another day.  Best,
Jerry

Hello all,
Another update on the longboat, got all the bulkheads broken out, you can see the mess in the bow from the extra blocking I had installed and the repair on the busted ribs. Followed this with a good sanding/fairing of the interior of the boat, take care here...to aggressive and you'll break more ribs leading to more repair (yea... I know from experience).
 
Once I was happy with the sanded finish I moved on to the cap rail, here I deviated from the instructions and made the template with card stock instead of directly on the basswood, that way I could trace it out as many times as I needed to get it right and not mess up the kit supplied wood. Glad I did cause it took three tries to get something I was satisfied with. The patterns were then cut out and transferred to the basswood sheet. The rails were cut oversize and applied then sanded to the finished dimensions supplied in the instructions.
 
The 1/32 x 1/32 trim was applied next, I used a compass set to the correct dimension to provide a guideline on the hull. This was followed by more sanding and a coat of primer. The hull was set aside to dry...while waiting I made the fore and aft platforms following the practicum, I added some battens to the undersides though, just to add more strength. These were then sanded and notches filled to fit around the respective ribs. I'm debating whether to stain these pieces or just use an oil finish on them...haven’t decided yet...
 
That's all for now, as always thanks for your time and attention, Pic follow
THX
J

The paddle wheels are ready to be put under the paddle houses, but I am still waiting for the material I ordered for the bottom section of the hull. These paddle wheels are quite small and it took a bit to get the planks glued into place.

Well... I've cut out the canon ports and waterways, assembled the paddle wheel houses and mounted them on the ship as well as stained the upper hull with an ebony stain. It's coming along.

Hi everyone,
The gaff and boom were prepared and mounted to the mast and the chains and deadeyes installed, also served the two shrouds.
 
The work on making and mounting the sails continued, after they were stained and hemmed I decided to sew on the bolt rope...I now have a new respect for those who use needle and thread!   I lost track of how many times I stabbed myself and getting the stitches close in size and shape proved a real challenge.  I think next time I do sails the bolt ropes will be glued on!
 
As I said in my first post I wanted billowing sails... to accomplish that I borrowed a tip from Hubert Sicard's Dummies site and clipped the sails to a fan turned on full, this filled them out nicely.  I  then painted them with a solution of diluted white glue...three coats were applied allowing each to dry before the application of the next.   Worked very well. 
 
There will be three sails total but only two, the jib and main will be raised and full...the inner jib will be furled or stowed, haven't decided which yet
 
Hanks were made from 28 gauge wire and installed on the jib through pre-punched holes...then back to stitching to lace the boom and gaff to the main sail.  Well that's were she rests at this point, next the mast will be stepped and the rigging started.   THX for your interest and time...Pics follow
J

Hi everyone,
The gaff and boom were prepared and mounted to the mast and the chains and deadeyes installed, also served the two shrouds.
 
The work on making and mounting the sails continued, after they were stained and hemmed I decided to sew on the bolt rope...I now have a new respect for those who use needle and thread!   I lost track of how many times I stabbed myself and getting the stitches close in size and shape proved a real challenge.  I think next time I do sails the bolt ropes will be glued on!
 
As I said in my first post I wanted billowing sails... to accomplish that I borrowed a tip from Hubert Sicard's Dummies site and clipped the sails to a fan turned on full, this filled them out nicely.  I  then painted them with a solution of diluted white glue...three coats were applied allowing each to dry before the application of the next.   Worked very well. 
 
There will be three sails total but only two, the jib and main will be raised and full...the inner jib will be furled or stowed, haven't decided which yet
 
Hanks were made from 28 gauge wire and installed on the jib through pre-punched holes...then back to stitching to lace the boom and gaff to the main sail.  Well that's were she rests at this point, next the mast will be stepped and the rigging started.   THX for your interest and time...Pics follow
J

Hi everyone,
The gaff and boom were prepared and mounted to the mast and the chains and deadeyes installed, also served the two shrouds.
 
The work on making and mounting the sails continued, after they were stained and hemmed I decided to sew on the bolt rope...I now have a new respect for those who use needle and thread!   I lost track of how many times I stabbed myself and getting the stitches close in size and shape proved a real challenge.  I think next time I do sails the bolt ropes will be glued on!
 
As I said in my first post I wanted billowing sails... to accomplish that I borrowed a tip from Hubert Sicard's Dummies site and clipped the sails to a fan turned on full, this filled them out nicely.  I  then painted them with a solution of diluted white glue...three coats were applied allowing each to dry before the application of the next.   Worked very well. 
 
There will be three sails total but only two, the jib and main will be raised and full...the inner jib will be furled or stowed, haven't decided which yet
 
Hanks were made from 28 gauge wire and installed on the jib through pre-punched holes...then back to stitching to lace the boom and gaff to the main sail.  Well that's were she rests at this point, next the mast will be stepped and the rigging started.   THX for your interest and time...Pics follow
J

Hi everyone,
The gaff and boom were prepared and mounted to the mast and the chains and deadeyes installed, also served the two shrouds.
 
The work on making and mounting the sails continued, after they were stained and hemmed I decided to sew on the bolt rope...I now have a new respect for those who use needle and thread!   I lost track of how many times I stabbed myself and getting the stitches close in size and shape proved a real challenge.  I think next time I do sails the bolt ropes will be glued on!
 
As I said in my first post I wanted billowing sails... to accomplish that I borrowed a tip from Hubert Sicard's Dummies site and clipped the sails to a fan turned on full, this filled them out nicely.  I  then painted them with a solution of diluted white glue...three coats were applied allowing each to dry before the application of the next.   Worked very well. 
 
There will be three sails total but only two, the jib and main will be raised and full...the inner jib will be furled or stowed, haven't decided which yet
 
Hanks were made from 28 gauge wire and installed on the jib through pre-punched holes...then back to stitching to lace the boom and gaff to the main sail.  Well that's were she rests at this point, next the mast will be stepped and the rigging started.   THX for your interest and time...Pics follow
J

I completed the smoke stack, drilling out the top, placing the copper strips around the dowel and setting the vent pipe and whistle in place. As soon as I finish the hull I will start getting the paddle wheels in place and things going on the deck that need to be done.

I found with this kit that the chain they included was even too small for the smallest eyehook, so I had to find another chain. I will use there chain for the anchors and for the rudder safety chain. '
 
Paddle wheels in place now along with the brass sponson support rods. Helm building in place and the smoke stack with chains.
 
The rudder is still needing to be placed in, but am waiting for some very thin strips of brass to use as hinges.
 
The paddlehouses have their platforms on them,  along with a brass railing that attaches to the floor as the kit did not come with enough fife rail supports.
 
I do find, for what this kit cost, it was poorly designed and manufactured, but it is a joy to build and will further update you as I carry on. I'm working this year, so time on this kit isn't as much as my previous builds. Thanks for checking out the progress. Ask questions if need to.