Pete Jaquith

You found a good strategy for dealing with deck shear and camber.  The attached picture shows the deck buildup on my Brigantine Newsboy of 1854 build.

Personally, I prefer plank on solid (POS) to plank on frame (POF) construction.  I have used both machine carved kit hulls and laminated scratch built hulls.  The following notes apply:
Machine Carved Hulls
Requires care in establishing reference lines May require hull, deck, and/or bulwark build up Hull carved inverted using reference board and templates Hull initially carved to outer plank lines Upper hull recessed for 3/64" planking, lower hull coppered Thinning carved bulwarks requires care, they may be replaced with built up bulwarks Reference my Brigantine Newsboy build log on MSW Laminated Scratch Built Hulls
Ease in establishing/maintaining reference lines Maintain rectangular configuration until completion of deck carving, deck layout, and drilling of mast holes Hull carved inverted using reference board and templates Hull initially carved to outer hull lines Upper hull recessed for 3/64" planking, lower hull coppered Requires built up bulwarks with timberheads slotted into hull block Reference my Topsail Schooner Eagle build log on MSW I find both techniques work well and require ~ 60 hours for hull carving
 
Regards,
Pete

Bruce,
 
I prefer to single plank.  That said, with single planking it is important to carefully fair the hull and ensure adequate support for planks in areas of significant curvature.  As Kurt noted, the number of bulkheads is a key factor.  The following pictures from my "Fair American" build show how I filled in between bow and stern bulkheads to help fair this hull and provide more planking support.
Pete

Stephen,
 
I have had good success with a non-bleed fabric marker "FabricMate" from Jo Ann Fabrics.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete


 

Continuing the "Eagle" 1847 build log,
 
With the main deck planking fitted, I continued with the poop bulkhead and poop deck planking. Key points include:
 
>>> Poop deck planking was fitted with a tapered king plank (planking parallel to deck at side and house coaming, change from the model plans as this was typical of the period)
>>> Provision made for poop deck margin planks and thick planks for rooster tails (boat davits)
>>> Deck planking stained with oil stain and finished with wiping varnish
>>> After painting, poop bulkhead coaming and planksheers were installed
>>> Poop bulkhead was planked and painted
>>> Poop deck scuppers were fitted (fine brass tubing)
 
Next steps will include planking the transom and constructing the built up bulwarks. Then the construction sequence will be similar to "Newsboy" 1854.
 
 
Pete Jaquith
Shipbuilder

Welcome to the Topsail Schooner "Eagle" 1847 build log,
 
Finishing up the running rigging and final pick up, key points include:
>>> Final drops of thinned white glue to secure rigging lines
>>> Rigging coils installed
>>> Ship's boat secured
>>> Final paint touchup
>>> Model cased and mounted in brass pedestals
 
The model now rests in the home of a dear friends in the State of Maine.  They are Maine natives, which is appropriate for this ship is typical of Maine coastal traders of the mid 1800's.
 
Pete Jaquith
Shipbuilder

Stephen,
 
I have had good success with a non-bleed fabric marker "FabricMate" from Jo Ann Fabrics.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete


 

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of hull outfit:
Transom trim and carvings were highlighted/painted with Deco Color Prime-Premio gold metallic paint pens Transom windows were previously formed to follow the curve of the transom trim and planking Transom windows were painted, glazed, and installed (Micro Kristal Klear was used for window glazing) Ship’s name was installed (prepared and printed with MS Word) Rudder chains were blackened and installed  Next steps will continue with installation of the quarter deck rails.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete Jaquith

I recently purchased the CAF Model 130mm ships boat kit.  With some additions as recommended by Allan, this builds into an interesting 18' lap strake cutter.  I plan to display it stowed on the gallows in traditional fashion.
 
Next step is on to the quarterdeck rails.
 
Regards, Pete

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of hull outfit:
Transom trim and carvings were highlighted/painted with Deco Color Prime-Premio gold metallic paint pens Transom windows were previously formed to follow the curve of the transom trim and planking Transom windows were painted, glazed, and installed (Micro Kristal Klear was used for window glazing) Ship’s name was installed (prepared and printed with MS Word) Rudder chains were blackened and installed  Next steps will continue with installation of the quarter deck rails.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete Jaquith

I recently purchased the CAF Model 130mm ships boat kit.  With some additions as recommended by Allan, this builds into an interesting 18' lap strake cutter.  I plan to display it stowed on the gallows in traditional fashion.
 
Next step is on to the quarterdeck rails.
 
Regards, Pete

An old article from the files using copper tape.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete
Copper Sheathing the Ship Model Hull_Rev 2.doc

I recently purchased the CAF Model 130mm ships boat kit.  With some additions as recommended by Allan, this builds into an interesting 18' lap strake cutter.  I plan to display it stowed on the gallows in traditional fashion.
 
Next step is on to the quarterdeck rails.
 
Regards, Pete

I recently purchased the CAF Model 130mm ships boat kit.  With some additions as recommended by Allan, this builds into an interesting 18' lap strake cutter.  I plan to display it stowed on the gallows in traditional fashion.
 
Next step is on to the quarterdeck rails.
 
Regards, Pete

Allan,
Thanks for your input.  I will try to address these points in my build.
Kind regards, Pete

Allan,
Thanks for your input.  I will try to address these points in my build.
Kind regards, Pete

I recently purchased CAF Model's B-01-130 130mm lap strake ship's boat.  The parts are very delicate.  What glue would be appropriate for assembly?
 
Regards,
Pete - Shipbuilder

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of hull outfit:
Transom trim and carvings were highlighted/painted with Deco Color Prime-Premio gold metallic paint pens Transom windows were previously formed to follow the curve of the transom trim and planking Transom windows were painted, glazed, and installed (Micro Kristal Klear was used for window glazing) Ship’s name was installed (prepared and printed with MS Word) Rudder chains were blackened and installed  Next steps will continue with installation of the quarter deck rails.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete Jaquith

Shop conditions have improved allowing further progress.  With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of hull outfit:
Chain plates were fabricated from 22 ga. silver soldered brass wire rings (1/2” and 7/16” dia. respectively), formed around the deadeyes, and closed with soft solder.  A simple jig was used to check the forming of deadeyes. Deadeye/chain plate assemblies were painted/installed Channel caps were painted/installed  With the bow and P/S side zones complete, next steps will address completion of transom details.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete Jaquith

Shop conditions have improved significantly.  Now working to relearn past skills (i.e. silver brazing, window glazing, etc.); however, overhanging potential of a large full scale shipbuilding project.  I will have to work to balance priorities.  Pictures will follow completion of chain plates, lower deadeyes, channel caps, etc.
 
Regards from the shipyard
Pete 

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of exterior hull outfit:
Gangway steps were painted/installed Gun port hinges were fabricated, painted, and installed based on a mini-kit from Syren Ship Models Quarter badges were painted, glazed, and installed (Micro Kristal Klear was used for window glazing)  Next steps will continue with installation of chain plates, lower deadeyes, and channel caps and then it’s on to complete the transom outfit.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete Jaquith

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of the head rails and bow fittings:
Head rails were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 3/32” laminated stock (3 layers of 1/32” sheet stock with opposing grain) Middle rails were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 1/16” sheet stock Cheek knees were previously fabricated/installed from 1/16” sheet stock Boomkins were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 1/8” sheet stock Catheads were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 3/16” sheet stock Head and middle rails were pre-painted and installed After checking the head rails from all angles; they were primed and finished painted.  Gold trim was applied with Deco Color Prime-Premio gold metallic paint pens After completion of the head rails, catheads were painted/installed Figurehead was painted/installed Boomkins were painted/dry fitted  To avoid potential damage, the boomkins will be left loose for later installation during the rigging phase.  To allow construction access, the bowsprit, bowsprit bitts, and fore bitts will be left loose until completion of bulwark interior fittings and cannon installation.
 
With completion of the head structure and gold trim she is starting to look like a fine little armed brig from the 1780’s.  Next steps will continue with installation of exterior hull outfit.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete Jaquith

Progress continues on the head structure.  More pictures to follow when this work area is completed.
 
Regards from the shipyard,
Pete

Welcome to the Brig "Fair American" circa 1780 build log,
 
Nils: Thank you for your interest
 
Moving on to the transom rail and fashion pieces, key points include:
 
>>> Transom cap rail is curved in both section and elevation
>>> Transom cap rail might well have been fabricated in several pieces
>>> Transom cap rail was formed in one piece of sufficient width to accomodate the forward sweep required to follow the line of the transom
>>> Forming jig used to form the cap rail (see picture)
>>> Transom cap rail was shaped to fit the transom prior to installation
>>> Transom cap rail was installed with extra length and faired in place
>>> False scarfs were cut into the transom cap rail after installation
>>> Fashion pieces were partially formed prior to installation
>>> Fashion piece final forming was performed in place
>>> Bulwark planking, black strake, and whales were fitted and faired into counter planking
 
Note: This area has a complex and distinctive geometry typical of many ships of the period. It is critical that design and construction of the transom, transom cap rail, fashion pieces, bulwark planking, black strake, and whales all fit together.
 
Pete Jaquith
Shipbuilder

Welcome to the Brig "Fair American" circa 1780 build log,
 
Continuing with bulwark construction, key points include:
 
>>> Bulwark and gun port framing fitted
>>> Bulwark ceiling (interior planking) fitted
>>> Bulwark sheeves fitted with ceiling planking
>>> Waterway drilled for deck scuppers (will be fitted later)
>>> Bulwark filler pieces added in way of hause holes, bulwark sheeves, rigging attachments
>>> Outer bulwark planking fitted
>>> Bulwark sheeves fitted with outer bulwark planking
>>> Aft gun port cover fitted (modeled in closed position)
 
Pete Jaquith
Shipbuilder