SaltyScot

And THAT is why I have been scratch building a lot of the bad plywood parts from this current Lynx build, Terry. You are progressing nicely, sir, really. Take your time with the planking, slow is pro. I look forward to more updates and will also follow along!

Today was the day to drill some more holes in my finished hull 🤔 I decided to install the catheads and the hawse hole covers. The catheads were first. I drilled a small hole and then filed it with a square pin file to match the catheads that I had made out of maple stock earlier on in the build: Once dry fitted the procedure was then repeated on the other side: I removed them both and took them to my drill table to mill out the hole for the sheave. After drilling the hawse holes and making sure the anchor rope passed through them (at the time I took the pic only the starboard side hawse hole was done), I refitted both catsheads and glued them in place too (the sheave pins still need to be filed down - I was waiting for the spot of glue to dry first): By the way, for the more astute readers, that is not the correct placement for the anchor rope and I know it It is merely "hanging around" there until I get the other holes in the deck done. I still had some work to do on the bowsprit, it had not been assembled yet. I didn't get it quite finished today (the flying jib boom is still missing because I snapped it in half while I was sanding it down), but the assembly is coming along nicely. Here are the steps. I started by mounting the jib boom and securing it with the gammoning: The Martingale was made from dowel stock and added. The whole thing was then given a primer coat and, once dry, a second layer of paint: I hope to finish this work on the bow tomorrow but lately something always seems to come up that keeps me away As and when I guess, it is not a race

Wow! I haven't checked in in a little while and look what you have done. So very neat and clean, Phil.

I want a mill just like yours!!

Yep, you can p[robably see the finish line, Phil. This has been a great build, a joy to watch her grow into the imposing model she has become.

I too like that muted blue color, Ronald. Despite your hiccups (we all have them!), she is coming along so very well.

Your input is, as always, very much appreciated Keith.

Thanks, Glen. That means a lot.

It is one of the many things on my "don't forget to do this" list, Steve. Thanks mate.

A sunny update from them shipyard (after 3 days of consistent rain - which I am not complaining about by the way, we had a very dry summer). The deck is finally done but, I do have a confession to make. After @Dr PR's correction to my joggling in post #231 I went to work on making sure the rest of the planks were laid correctly. Well, that certainly did not work out so well. I made a complete hash of the stern planking and was more than dissatisfied with the end result. I ended up removing all the planks (and that is a nice way of putting it, I tore them out in frustration if the truth be known), including the margin planking at the stern and re-did the whole thing without any joggling (nibbing). I was not going to put myself through that again. In retrospect I think I was just trying too hard to get it right. The second time around I just shaped the deck planks to fit up against the margin boards. The only "joggled" planks now are the ones at the bow. Once complete I scraped the deck with a razor blade and simulated the tree nails with a very sharp 2 HB pencil. The whole thing was then coated in a layer of tung oil to seal it up. She is sitting outside in the sunshine as we speak to dry out. In between ripping my hair out and before I gave up the whole venture entirely out of frustration, I started work on something that would take my mind off the deck for a while. The bowsprit stem was up next. I decided to use my stock walnut that I had milled down instead of the kit supplied piece that was also walnut but looked a bit fragile. I cut the wood down to size, cut out the slot for the bowsprit and shaped it according to the plans: To be able to seat the bowsprit into the stem I had to shape the end as per the instructions. As yet I have still not ordered the mill but I do have a compound table and vise on my mini drill press platform. With that and using some small bits that I have in the wood shop for power carving with the Dremel, I was able to cut the slot down nice and accurately. A little clean up with a small wood file to sharpen up the corners and it fitted nicely: Bowsprit dry fitted to see how she looks:

The skill in modeling , or one of them at least, is the ability to duplicate things (in this case the cannons) and ahve them all look pretty much identical. You, sir, have achieved that and then some. Inspirational work indeed!

Exquisite is what this is......

I wrote that one down, good tip.

Welcome aboard, Dan.

Welcome to this great forum!