captainbob

To make something of meaning and beauty from used items will make an interesting build.  I'll be watching and trying not to make too much noise.
 
Bob

Julie,  I used both AutoCAD and SolidWorks at work.  I now use AutoCAD only to develop bulkheads and keel for scratch building.  I thought it would be useful to develop a hull in SolidWorks so I could add angled planes to get cant frames and such.  But decided that drawing the 3D ship was more trouble than it was worth for so little return.
 
Bob

Hi all,
 
Years ago I read "Sailing Alone Around the World" by Joshua Slocum, and in January 2012 I decided that I would build his boat, the "SPRAY", in 1/48 scale POF with bent framing. The way Slocum built it.  I started asking questions on this forum, and I want to thank all those who answerd with help.  The information on this forum is invaluable.
 
Then the research began.  In the first chapter of his book, Slocum said he was given an old "fishing smack".  So I looked for fishing smacks of 1800.  About when his was built.  Someone suggested the "Emma C Berry" for framing, so I hunted for information on that boat.  I also gathered as many plan drawings of the "Spray" as I could find.  About five.
 
Now it was time to check and redraw the plans.  The first thing I discovered was that ALL the plans had errors.  Things like, the shear and section views would agree and the shear and the plan views would agree, but the width of the plan was no where near the same as the width of the sections.  Of the drawings I had, the drawing from the appendix in the book was the closest.  So I traced that into an old copy of AutoCad and worked out the errors.
 
Checking the fishing smacks plans had shown a frame spacing of from 15" to 22" I chose 18" for framing the Spray.  I drew a section at each frame.  I offset a line .031" inside to subtract the 1.5" planking Slocum used.  The frames will be 3" X 5" so again I offset another line .062 inside the planking for the frames.  This gave me the section lines for the plug I will carve to shape the frames.
 
I am going to plank only half the deck and deck houses so I can show the insides, taken from the sketches in Slocum's book. (See below)
 
Bob
 

Nice work on the deck.  It will be beautiful when finished.
 
Bob

Hi all, I finally got a little more done.  The deck is planked, the front and rear walls to the main cabin are up and I finished the little deck house, which was the smoking lounge, it was removed when that deck was enclosed. 
 Bob

Hi All,
I have to move away from research for a while to build a little more.  Or I will know everything there is to know about the Mariefred and never build her.  The Mariefred is a very early (1903) steel boat.  So like Nils (Mirabell61), I had to plate her, rivets and all.  Maybe I shouldn’t say so but it was a lot easier that I thought it would be.  The main problem is finding the right foil for the job.  Most of what I found at the hardware store was too thin and doesn’t look right.  There were four or five brands where us non-professionals find what we want.  But walking down to the end of the store where the contractors go, I found the heaver foil that is needed.  I found an old clock gear that I made into a ponce wheel and with just a little practice . . . here’s the results.   I’ll accept it as a first try.  Now paint and on to the rest of the boat.
 
Bob

That took some mighty creative thinking to come up with the method to build those buckets.  Well done.
 
Bob

The boat would not have been built free standing on her keel as we do with our models.  If she were build upside down the frames would have been extended to and toenailed to the floor.  If she were built upright the frames would have been extended to the ceiling of the boat shed or possibly an A frame structure.  Each frame would have been squared and well supported on its own.  Only after she were planked would the frame ends be cut free.
 
Bob 

Well done Frank.  The keel is laid, time to celebrate.
 
Bob

Hi All,
I have to move away from research for a while to build a little more.  Or I will know everything there is to know about the Mariefred and never build her.  The Mariefred is a very early (1903) steel boat.  So like Nils (Mirabell61), I had to plate her, rivets and all.  Maybe I shouldn’t say so but it was a lot easier that I thought it would be.  The main problem is finding the right foil for the job.  Most of what I found at the hardware store was too thin and doesn’t look right.  There were four or five brands where us non-professionals find what we want.  But walking down to the end of the store where the contractors go, I found the heaver foil that is needed.  I found an old clock gear that I made into a ponce wheel and with just a little practice . . . here’s the results.   I’ll accept it as a first try.  Now paint and on to the rest of the boat.
 
Bob

Good looking hull.
Bob

We all go through it from time to time, it's kind of like writer's block.  To get through writer's block they say to wright anything, just nonsense.  and the act of writing will break the block.  I find for model block If I go to the workbench and do anything, move things around, straighten out the tools or supplies, or like you add a plank or two, It helps and soon I'm back up to speed.
 
Bob

Your other option is like Dee Dee did, re-plank the transom horizontally so the grain of the wood is not so confusing.
 
Bob

You know that once the boat is finished, no one will notice what you are worrying about now.
 
Bob

Matching the planks where they come together, usually at the bow, is always the hardest part of planking for me.  But you're doing a superb job of it.
 
Bob

I have a stack of old file folders just for such needs.
 
Bob

Haven't seen an update for a while.  Hope all is well.
 
Bob

If you cut your planks using the method Mike talks about above you will not have any of those double pointed planks to contend with.  Try it you'll like it.
 
Bob

Julie, you're right. Where's the fun in having things easy?  I know that if there was no challenge, I'd move on to some other hobby. 
 
Bob

Your spilling is not noticeable. She should really look good with a bright finish.
 
Bob

When doing normal (horizontal) planking we need to modify the width of the plank to make it mate with the already mounted plank.  It looks like diagonal planking has the same problem.
 
Bob

Julie, I've never used hide glue, but I remember in an article I read years ago about repairing stringed instruments they said to work a hot thin spatula into the glue between the two pieces of wood.  I went so far as to get a thin pallet knife from an art store and then decided the interment was not worth repairing.
 
Bob

Ah the hazards of the artist.  Build it. take it apart.  Rebuild it.  Uh.  Rebuild again.  Is it good enough this time?  Uuuhhh. 
 
When you finally say that's done, I'm sure that both the boat and the house will be beautiful.
 
Bob

She's looking good, Julie.  Looking good.
 
Bob

Enjoy the kitchen remodeling.  We'll wait.   
 
Bob