SiriusVoyager

It looks like I took about a 4 month break from modeling for various reasons. I started working on the boat again about a month ago but hadn't had a chance to update the log. I will update the progress to the present point over the next day or three as it takes a bit of time to upload, crop and convert photos. I had one rub rail break on me while trying to bend it. Not having extra wood I figured I would do my best to patch it up. Since it will be painted over I think I can do it well enough to not be an issue. I painted the bulwark vanilla white to help the colors stand out a bit more. The rub rails were painted black and the break is not noticeable. I spent quite a bit of time trying to make sure everything was taped properly to give nice clean edges, and I still had paint run under the tape. I will gradually touch it up over time. I also put a coat of shellac over the hull strakes and I think it helps bring out the color nicely. Interior battens and framing. The battens along the bulwark were too wide for the gunwales supplied with the kit, so I filed them at an angle to make them more flush. I painted the gunwales off the main structure to avoid the issues with tape and paint leaking under like I did with the rub rails. It took a bit of effort to bed the wood into proper shape, painting, then fitting them to the top of the bulwarks. There ended up being an issue with this that I should have anticipated later. I will get more into that when I get to that point.

That is a nice looking dhow. Thanks for sharing. Apologies for the late reply. I haven't had a chance to do any modeling for a bit.

Welcome to MSW!

The second layer of planking is now completed. Being my second model that uses this style of two layer planking, I have mixed feelings about it. It definitely allows a less experienced modeler an easy way to have a relatively nice looking hull as the it is easy to hide mistakes. On the other hand, the wood is very brittle and difficult to bend and lay flat. Dhows don't use a rabbet with the planking so I used strips to essentially frame the edges. Thanks to @Javelin for sending me some good photos for reference, the two below were helpful in seeing how the boats are planked. I started framing the bulwarks and right off the bat I managed to create a gap that needed to be redone. Not sure how I managed that one. After replanking. Once the bulwarks were done I started with the garboard and worked back up to the bulwarks Second layer planking completed. I tried to plank it based on actual construction photos but I was having a difficult time getting the sapele wood shaped in such a way. . The next step is to add the rub rails, of which I got the first of 4 in place. There is a little lip on the front which didn't look bad when I was placing it, but it photos it looks like it isn't sitting properly, so I will sand it flush.

Very nice! Looking forward to seeing Lobster Smack.

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW! That is a very nice fleet you have made.

Nice work! What's next?

This is sort of my current dilemma. My workmanship isn’t at the point where I can build an intentionally tough looking model (though I easily can unintentionally). I will likely be going for the more artisanal look simply because it will be easier for my current skill level.

Yeah, I know a lot of dhows can look pretty rough. I didn’t want to be the one making that excuse though! I’m trying to improve my workmanship and it’s a slow process for me.

Great work on the painting. This has been a fun build to watch.

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Finished planking the deck (almost). Apparently I forgot to take a photo of the competed and sanded deck. I am a bit disappointed with out the planking came out. Part of it is my own work, part of it is uneven strip width and cut, and part of it is how soft the wood is and how easily splinters peel off. I decided to stain the deck using Varathane Ipswich pine stain. Here is the stained forecastle compared to the unstained main deck. The entire deck stained. I think it looks much better with the stain. It was shortly after this that I realized that I hadn't finished the deck. The bulkhead between the main deck and the poop deck (would that be a poop deck on a dhow?) needs to be planked. Deck planking is now finished. Time to start planking the hull. Keel, stem and sternpost installed. I appreciate that AL kits attach the keel before the second layer planking so that small gaps between the planking and the keel parts can be covered.

Very nice looking model! Good job.

Very nice looking Dory!

Nice work so far! This is quite the interesting build.

Very nice work!

Lots of time spent working, but only a small update. The main deck is planked and the aft deck planking started. I learned one lesson while planking. When cutting the planks, I cut a bunch of 60mm planks to have them ready to go. It turns out that the planks aren't quite the same width. The better option would be to cut planks for one row from the same strip of wood. This is to ensure an even width on each row.

Welcome to MSW!