Steve116

11/14/2025 update( back to it- golf season in the Northeast is over) Construction notes: 1. Entire hull was painted with Rustoleum 2x Painters Touch Flat white 2. Exposed interior planking was spray painted Rustoleum 2x Painters Touch Wildflower Blue satin( I would choose a different color in retrospect ) 3. I used delicate surface Frog Tape to mask the water line. Hunter Green Americas Finest ( Rustoleum) below the water line. I sprayed the frog tape with matte clear b4 painting with green to prevent color bleed 4. SIGSCS642 1/8” Super Stripe black for the water line 5. I attempted (unsuccessfully) to make wooden mast hoops as outlined in the instructions. I purchased 13/32” hoops ( part no. F-1504) from Blue Jacket 6. Model Shipways makes a wood single sheeve 5mm block MSBB1050- similar in size to the cast components provided with the kit. 7. I am fortunate to have some viable Flo Quil model paint. I used this to paint the ends of the mast, boom and gaff. 8. Much appreciated shout out to Sue A. who I met at the Blue Jacket rigging class a few years ago. We’ve stayed in touch since, and she provides great advice and ideas as I progress. She stitched the mainsail and jib- great job- and we opted not to install the bolt rope. 9. I had painted the interior mahogany transom blue, and realized that didn’t look right. I used citric acid to effectively strip the paint.

Hull, mast, gaff, boom and cub, becket and blocks essentially complete. I used Minwax natural for the spars, and mahogany stain for the deck planking

Soaked the mahogany cockpit coaming with hot water and ammonia (~20%) for 30 mins b4 attempting to bend. One piece split- I was able to mend w CA - and built a simple jig to finish the contouring

Hull planking and painting essentially complete

Planking is complete. Difficult to bend basswood planks in 3 dimensions- I’m soaking the planks with boiling water and ammonia. There are several small gaps between planks. I painted several toothpicks the same color as the cockpit interior and glued them to the exterior hull to smooth the plank transitions

Time for the stealer planks

It’s been awhile( Summer vacation?) Happy to be back at it

Slow and steady

mahogany sheer strake in!

Day 3. Let the planking begin

Day 2 - Bulkheads painted/ stained and installed

Day 1-prepping keel and bulkheads

Blue Jacket kit Assembling tools, glue, setting up work station

This is an excellent narrative. Thank you! I just completed my first model- Cape Cod Catboat- and I purchased the Herreshoff 12 1/2 in Fall ‘21 from Blue Jacket and I will start in Fall ‘22- after the golf courses close in the Northeast

Thank you!

Completed! More pictures to follow

I just completed a week long rigging class that was conducted in Maine. This was v helpful and I was in the presence of 7 other more experienced modelers- I gained a lot of knowledge, confidence and inspiration to move forward ( and I bought a new model- a Herreshoff 12 1/2) I also picked up some tips to improve my techniques for painting the hull. As you might expect, this has created the need for more tools, and product, so I’m in the research and acquisition phase right now. Floquil paints are no longer, so I’m looking for a good substitute. Fine line tape to create a clean boot top on the hull, tools to clean up the portholes( perfect ellipses would be nice!) ( I settled on needle files and not a Dremel like device) And some Internet research to understand the nautical terms around a boat that are used in the Catboat’s build instructions

For Ben752 I too am looking for a better set of needle files. I have 3 Xacto files, but I need other cross section shapes for some detail work on basswood( model sailboat) My needs are not for roughing work. Is coarse a better choice? Thanks! Steve

It looks like Floquil hasn’t been around for awhile and recently that’s the case for Testors Model Master, too( since 2020?) I am finding some stock on the Internet, but not sure of age or the quality of this product.( I still have the Floquil paint bottles that are 14 yrs old- the Reefer white is completely dried) I’ve been advised not to mix water based acrylics w/ solvent based enamels( I’m going to consult Testors on Monday) It seems like a little more research is called for

Hi i have started to paint my Cape Cod Catboat. This is my first model. I have already painted the hull using Floquil product and hope to clean up the boot top using thin line tape above and below and using a spray clear coat enamel to “seal” the edges to prevent color bleed( an experienced modeler’s suggestion ) . This clear coat should be hi gloss to match the sheen of the hull paint Testor makes a hi gloss clear coat enamel BUT is currently unavailable- supply chain issues- has anyone used another hi gloss clear coat? The mast and gaff will be painted white. In order to be as authentic as possible, should this white match rhe white on the hull? Model overcoat- I have a friend that used a spray overcoat and was unhappy with the outcome - turned a satin finish flat. The model instructions recommend a satin polyurethane varnish. Miniwax offers that product in a can. What are modelers using- spray or brush? And if spray, the names of some brands, please Thank you! Steve

Thank you everyone for your input. After considering all your comments, and weighing the risk of an irreversible ( I know, there are v few things that are irreversible) I opted to use my needle files. The portholes are not geometrically perfect ellipses or identical - maybe this will be part my model’s signature-but they’re not bad and I will take this as a learning experience

Hi Bill. Thx for your input. Which Proxxon model are you using?

Thanks, everyone. I’m learning that modelers share a passion and are ready to help. ALL your input is useful. one question for Jaager - what is HSS?

Hi. I am working on a Catboat and have the need for a rotary tool to clean up the portholes in the cabin. This is my first model What are tools of choice for model working? Thanks!