Taken Aback

It was time to shape the transoms, so out came the razor saw and sandpaper. The bow wasn't too difficult, but at the stern my sheer planks were a bit high compared to the laser etched template line. Instead of cutting down the sheer, I elected to reshape the transom a bit higher, which turned out well. The hull with transoms shaped and thwarts set in place, not glued yet. The floor cleats bent quite easily with the hair iron, and this is now a go-to method for me for shaping shorter bits and tighter bends. Since this pic was taken I have drilled the holes in the gunwales for the chains, but not yet cut the slots. Quite happy with the overall appearance of the build, at this point. I edited this post to show a slightly less crappy picture, with the rub rails now glued and faired in. Almost ready for some paint, after I get the oar lock pads made and glued on, and finish cutting the chain slot.

Currently the floor cleats are drying after a soak in boiling water, but I am pretty sure I will have to rebend them as bending them over the hull isn't working well, due to their short length. I think I will soak them then run them thru one of my new plank benders, aka my wife's hair straightener. Other progress was finishing fitting the seat supports and thwarts, and stern sheets. I glued a cleat to the underside of the two stern pieces, and got the dagger board thwart fitting quite well. The fore thwart required so much trimming that I made a template from light card stock. Even after using that to trim the thwart to length I found I had to aggressively relieve the underside of the notches for the thwart to nestle into place correctly. This is where I am now, with the thwarts temporarily in place. Next steps are installing the floor cleats and test fitting the floor boards, fitting and gluing the rub rails, and trimming/shaping the transoms. I did have to break out the isopropyl to detach the starboard bow transom knee as the angle was off and did not line up with the port knee. This got a bit fiddly and I think I will need some filler after the sanding is complete. But having knock knees on the bow looked dreadful. This outcome is acceptable.

Thanks! I agree, they tested my skills and patience to get them placed. Having a clear picture of where things were placed helped quite a bit, and since my shop is on the second floor and my computer is in the basement, I opted to print out the pic.

I have decided to work one side of the boat at a time for easier access to the interior. So, I now have all the seat supports and fittings glued in place on the port side, including the inwale and knees. As part of my process, I printed out a picture from Kenchington's build log to aid in the placement of the tiny little seat supports, as I found the photos in the manual difficult to decipher. Once I got those bits sanded, and trial fit, including placing the thwart to test the fit, they glued in place fairly easily, if not perfectly aligned. The seat support under the front of the "stern sheets" was the most off from fitting my hull and will require some filler under the upper part. My hull stayed very well in place on the molds during the planking, so I'm a bit baffled as to why the angles seem so far off. I have noticed a difference in plank heights from port to starboard as I test fit the thwarts, so it is likely that. Not huge, but noticeable, to me. In any event, the inside of the hull is halfway there, with the inwale drying in place after a good hot tub session. I think the starboard side will progress more quickly, as I made some pencil marks indicating the placement of the supports. I also made a card stock thwart template for the forward thwart, as the kit thwart was far too wide to fit in place. I had to trim about an 1/8" off the width, and recut the notch for the frame, but it went well and didn't take very long.

Thanks, Trevor! Your build log is helping me with this build, very much.

More progress has been made: the skegs have been added, as has the dagger board case and the 3 inner frames, and one inwale is now glued in place. The skeg fitting was easy and quite enjoyable using the sandpaper on the hull method for shaping the mating surface. I added a centerline to the hull just aft of the dagger board slot for keeping the bow end of the skeg in line. The other two skegs also went on without trouble, giving the model a nice flat platform when upright. I built the dagger board case by first clamping the two sides together, then sanding the bottom against sand paper placed over the slot in the hull, which quickly shaped them to the hull. Then I glued the case together in a few stages, first gluing one end piece to one side, using a square to keep the edges tightly aligned. After that set up, I repeated the process with the other end piece, then finally glued on the other side, which was trickier, as I had material protruding out of both the top and bottom. I should have trued the top edge before gluing, as the bottom has to have the end pieces protruding thru the slot, but it went together well and glued in place easily. The inner frames were more challenging, both in placement and fitment. Getting those pesky frames square transversely and vertically inside a hull which has virtually no vertical or horizontal surfaces is a bit of a chore. I think I did ok, although frame 2 might not be perfectly vertical. After reading some other build logs, I decided to check the fit of the mast step prior to gluing in frame 1, and I'm glad I did. I ended up moving my placement for frame 1 back a bit in order for the upper mast step piece to fit correctly. I'm currently working to fit the thwart to the hull before adding the supports, as other build logs have mentioned that getting it in place after both inwales were installed can be a challenge. Nearly there, sanding each end and fitting until it nestles in place. The inwale was straightforward in bending, and fitting, very similar to the dory model. After several fit attempts, with associated trimming and sanding I had a very nicely fitting inwale. My apologies for the less than crisp pics.

Thank you and thanks for the tip! I will give that Tamiya White Putty a go.

The build got delayed a bit by a rather nasty cut I inflicted on myself, not in the workshop but the kitchen. My wife had purchased a mandolin, which is French for: "mangler of the unwary". While slicing some potatoes I removed an alarming large piece of skin from the side of my right thumb, which required more than just a bandaid, or sticking plaster, or what have you. Eventually, I ended up with a large gauze pad taped around my thumb, which made working on a model rather difficult. Now, I'm able to get by with a simple bandaid, so back to work with safer tools such as scalpels and #11 blades. As of now, the pram is fully planked and off the build board, with filling and sanding in progress. I'm trying various methods during this build to see what suits my abilities and preferences, so for filling small gaps I've tried mixing sawdust with glue and water, drywall spackle and Gorilla wood filler. The sawdust & glue method isn't my favorite as it leaves a lumpy surface which, while sandable, isn't as sandable as the spackle. Also, the spackle dries very quickly and is easy to control, seems to stay put in the gap where I want it. I have also tried Gorilla wood filler which is very gritty and dry. This is for larger home repairs, methinks. For me, for small repairs to surfaces which will be painted, I prefer spackle. There really are only a few quite small gaps between planks and not much at all at each transom, other than one at the bow from when I didn't have the alignment quite right and overcut a rabbet. That one I mostly filled with a piece of wood. I think after sanding and painting the hull will look quite good. Next up will be the skegs then internal frames, daggerboard box, etc. For now, I plan on making some tiny sanding sticks to get into the small spaces between planks and spending a bit of time smoothing everything out, to at least 400 grit.

Thanks! I wasn't even aware of this model until I saw the banner for the Ship Modeler's Handbook, and I browsed a bit. I believe I will slot this halfhull kit in after the smack, as I have never built a model with the plank on bulkhead method. And, it makes an attractive decoration. Or has the potential to...

I hope it isn't too late to reply to this, but for all who have completed this kit, is it worthwhile as a learning experience, after completing the lobster smack by Model Shipways?

Thank you all for the likes and suggestions! Progress has been made. I did manage to get the bow transom trued and glued up, as well as bent and attached the garboards and second strakes on each side. I've been experimenting with various methods of gluing the planks on, and found that applying heat with an iron to more quickly activate the Titebond Original glue works best for me. I put glue on all surfaces to be glued, (the temptation each time is to glue the strakes to the molds and must be resisted) start at the bow, apply heat for about 20 seconds, then move my way along the plank. I use bands & clamps to hold each glued section as I move along, but so far I haven't really needed them. Nevertheless, I put them on. Using this method I can get a properly shaped and prepared plank glued up in a few minutes, with much less fumbling about trying to get a clamp on just so before the glue has lost its mojo or just been absorbed into the wood. Also, I don't have to attempt the "lift the plank gently without breaking free the part I just spent five minutes gluing so I can dab glue into the tiny gap then quickly press the plank into place, and hold for an eternity, lather rinse repeat" method. I did try out the electric hair straightener iron as suggested above, and I can see it working pretty well at times, great tip! By the way, I asked the wife if she had an old one she could spare, and she granted me two of them. One has flat jaws, one has a transverse curve across the face, which might be handy for a tight bend. Score. Here is how the pram sits at the moment, waiting for the latest glue to cure before I apply the sheer strakes to bend and dry in place.

I took a look last night, and wasn't happy to see that the planks weren't centered on the bow transom. So, this morning I unstuck the bow transom from the planks and the knee, breaking off a sliver at the very bottom of the transom. Good thing Model Shipways knows me, as a spare is included. I spent quite a bit of time truing up the knee and the new transom, and will glue it on later today, once I figure out how to get it jigged securely in the building board. I am tempted to glue the transom in with one drop of glue to hold it in place until the planks are set, then use my dear friend, isopropyl to remove the glue.

Palmerit, that was my thinking exactly, but as I have looked at videos and build logs, I see just how different the plank on bulkhead build technique is. But, I look at these Model Shipways builds as training, and am enjoying the process. But, I have been planning on ordering the Sherbourne for my first "real" model, before I begin the lobster smack, as a reward for training myself in the ways of this fascinating world. It's nice to see fellow Tennesseans here!

Thanks for the great tips, all! Last night I used a baking dish, and hot water, weighted the garboard down and soaked for several minutes. Dried it a bit, clamped and banded into place, and this morning it looks great! Bryan, my wife has several (dozen) of those hair straightener dealios, I will surreptitiously borrow one and give it a go. What's the worst that could happen? Will be gluing on the garboard today, and beginning to cut the bevels and gains on the other.

Thanks, Bryan! It seems like cutting the gain on a flat plank would be the smart play, but that bend into place at the stern seems to need a bit of twisting, as well. Decisions.

Druxey, thanks! I will take another look at it. I can feel it slotting in with a bit of finger pressure.

Inspection of the keelboard to transom joint revealed that the stern transom bevels for the bottom boards aren't cut low enough in relation to the tab that protrudes to the keelboard, in other words, there is a gap. Instead of rebeveling, which would have then require more rebeveling on the rest of the transom, I filled in the gap between the transom and knee to keelboard with a scrap, then scraped and sanded it flush with the bottom boards. At the bow I did the same with the little triangle under the knee between the bottom boards. It wouldn't have shown at the bow, but adds a bit of strength. After that, gluing up the keelboard didn't take much time at all, and I can now trim off the excess at each transom in preparation for the garboards. After reading on some build logs about the gains which need to be cut in the garboards, I test fitted a garboard at the stem and made my attempt at a gain. Not sure if the pic will show, but I outlined my work with pencil to help with visibility. It fits well at the bow transom/garboard/bottom board joint now. Next will be the stern gain, which seems like it will be more challenging, given that the garboard seems to require a bit of twisting. Pondering now whether to bend and let dry first, then attempt the gain.

Some progress has been made, between several trips to a distant veterinarian's office for a couple of aging pets. Some vet can now afford a Vanguard Models HMS Indefatigable kit, and perhaps a few spare cannons. The pets are doing fine now, so, money well spent. Anyway, I've added a stern knee support to the build board, as recommended by Kenchington's build log, and discovered that the knee itself wasn't perfectly perpendicular to the transom. Out came the alcohol, (isopropyl for the knee, Hendrick's gin for me) and off came the knee. A bit of fiddly sanding and scraping, back on it went, much more accurately with the centerline. For beveling the bottom planks I found that, for me, carving away the bevel with the knife yielded a much crisper bevel than sanding, just as with the transom bevels. I have more control with a knife, probably from chisel work in the past, than I do with a sanding stick. As a bonus feature, it goes faster, as well. YMMV. The bottom and keel planks have been bent into shape, after experimentation with various methods of bending. Steaming and soaking/drying didn't produce the results I wanted, and on this model where the planks are mostly "floating" in space without bulkheads, Chuck's ironing in situ didn't work well for me either. In the end, I used a combination of techniques, and got the planks shaped to my satisfaction. The bottom boards are now glued at the bow, and waiting for the stern transom knee to cure completely before I glue them to the stern. The keel board is bent, sanded and ready to be glued into place after that. Checking that spot at the bow transom to plank interface will be crucial to see if I need to do any further fitting to achieve a tight joint, once I test fit the keel board. My ability to take a decent pic seems to be quite stunted, but once the bottom boards are in place I'll give it a go.

I've started this build, hot on the heels of the Grand Banks Dory, which is not quite complete: I have to finish the oars, tholes and seats. I've been working on those bits as I begin work on the pram. So far I've assembled the build board, which went fine with the exception of my breaking the stern transom holder on test fitting the transom to it. A bit of cleaning out some char, a dab of PVA and small blob of patience and it seems to be holding. I drew a centerline on the board, per a few build logs, and the cut outs for the moulds and transom supports seemed to line up. Kenchington's build log with its wonderful pics and descriptions is guiding me through this stage. Thanks! By using the hobby knife like a chisel I was able to pare away the bevels on both transoms and achieve some nice, crisp flats where required. I've found my ability to sand away material with a guide produces a less than perfect bevel. Paring then a very light touch up with some 220 paper produces the best results for me. I don't understand why the stern transom holder isn't glued into the build board, as it is quite floppy and provides little to no lateral support for the transom. Anyone? I'm tempted to glue it in then saw it off when the board is no longer needed, as I did on the dory. As Kenchington did, I will be gluing mine in. His addition of a support for the stern transom knee was brilliant, so I will copy that. As it stands before gluing and mods:

Thanks for the encouragement and welcome! I've just about finished the dory, and made a few mistakes that were excellent learning opportunities. Still, it has turned out well, to my eye at least. Painting it now, as I begin the setup and first steps on the Norwegian Pram. I will attempt a build log for it.

I've just finished some pre-painting sanding, and a little bit of filling a few small gaps: mostly at the stern where the strakes meet the transom. Perhaps I didn't bevel the planks enough, as there were a couple of small gaps visible. All in all, I'm pleased with how well the model looks at this stage, and how sturdy it is. My fumble fingers have tossed it more than once to the cutting mat as I attempted some fine tuning, but I haven't broken anything. Yet. Once I get a coat of primer I will post a pic or two. Geordie, thanks for the comment and your build log for the Adder. I am considering the Vanguard HM Sherbourne as my first model after this 3 boat kit.

Eric, thank you very much for the tip! I will try to keep things even.

So, I finally got one of the broad boards glued on; it was much more difficult for me than the first plank. Also, I think I was too sparing with the glue, as things kept springing loose right when I thought I had it stuck for long enough to get some sort of clamp or rubber band on it. Therefore, a bit more glue was used which seemed to help. White titebond for the detail oriented, which is probably everyone reading this. And, the other side ready to bend in place for another go. You can see I got a bit sloppy with the glue at the stern, which was giving me fits.

Chris, It's mighty crowded down there in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, quieter up here. But, we get down that way from time to time to check out the bright lights. Ryland, I'll get a pic or two and post them; I've never been great at documentation. This garboard strake is a bit fussy, at least to make it sit nice and tight.

I'm glad I found this forum and saw the great advice on how to begin. This MS kit has not disappointed.