popeye the sailor

there is to be an upper bow deck, but it needs to be further back.......say, about one rib. there is to be a bulkhead there, and so I will need to wall it off. the order of the deck platforming will be: the main deck, the bulkhead, and then the fore deck will cap it all off. the main deck will require deck beams I notched the one that will support the bulkhead, and cemented it in place. I still need to do the rest, but not until I alter the stern. in my planning.....it was quite obvious that the curvature of the stern needed to be flattened out, as well as being notched at the bulkhead line {this little area needs to be flattened as well}. how to do it........how to do it <ponder> I know....I will use the belt sander! out to the garage.....set the belt sander on it's back, locked on......and off I went! I wasn't concerned with the stern transom, as it's getting altered anyway. after some frequent checks......I think it's in the ballpark the bulkhead is to be defined at this point......if you look where the posts are cemented, you can see where I notched the bulwarks. the aim here is to flatten out the bow and make the rise for the bulkhead.....the curve has to go! here is a shot of the overall bulwark layout.....I left room for a little more sanding. I have to measure the height at the transom to make sure both sides are even. more posts were added to the bow section. instead of planking these areas, I will make full panels for them. the start of making the side panels when the posts were dry, the panels were dry fitted to see what I would need to do next. you can see that I also added a second deck beam to the main deck area. the port side bow panel was cut to shape......the height of the bulkhead post, tapered to around 4mm at the bow stem. this will leave a very slight up sweep to the bow....it will hardly be noticeable. this was mimicked on the starboard side panel, which was left a tad longer, to lap over the port side and create the tip of the bow. I need to make a jig for the tip of the bow, to hold the two panels together when I cement them in place.

sitting at my computer......staring at the screen......this 'not knowing what to do next' is killing me. I look over at the tables, to the mess....the reminiscences of where I had left off.....with no breadcrumbs left for me to pick it back up. I decided to pick up a plastic car model to help jump start me....a pro modified drag model of the Jukebox Ford. I got to what I feel is the mid point of the build, and the thoughts began to cloud my mind again. it brought me back to the movie I saw about the boat......I already had a copy of the Billing's plans for it. I went back online to the Billing's site in Danmark {this was quicker than to access the PDF I have of the plans}, and looked up the plans again. I was amazed to find that these plans are different than the ones I have.......two sets of plans??? I down loaded them. the shape of the hull.......the whole concept.......makes it so doable taking stock of the situation here: the hull dubbed Moe is in the hallway, the hull planking isn't even finished. this is the one that is made with the real good plywood. it would be a shame to modify this one. to give it a subject name now.....I will christen this one the 'Christmas tree boat' {I'll give it a snappier name later} no pictures for this one of late. the hull dubbed Curly has been residing in the garage since late spring, along with the Boulogne Etaples. the hull has gotten a sanding and a coat of filler....now it waits for the second sanding. the deck platforms have already been installed....the layout somewhat planned. to give this one a subject name now......I will christen this one 'the Jingle Belle' a caroler's boat. you know......a bunch of carolers on the deck, singing.....getting splashed with sea spray.......should be a hoot of a build this one so far into it's being......nawww.....can't do it to this one either. then there is the hull dubbed Larry. sadly, I can think of no third subject for this hull. I had thought up a skater's rink theme......but a wise sage brought me to my senses. yes.....logic dictates, that you can't skate on a rolling boat, not unless your THAT good the hull is fully planked and has been sanded....it does need a little filler, but the hull is quite smooth the way it stands at the moment. I had planned to remove all the excess raised ribs at the bow and flatten the entire deck out....from the bow to the stern. to do what I need to do, in this new venture, I wouldn't need to do anything like that.......just a nip and tuck at the bow and stern. ........and so it came to be, that the hull dubbed Larry, was to undergo some rather aggressive necromancy......origami of the wooden kind. there are three major changes that must occur, for the hull to become a suitable recipient, of such an advantageous build. let the game begin

I will try not to Augie

there are various forms of sampson posts and fife rails, which is what you have pictured above. I have a few pictures of the ship, but they don't show these aspects very well. I'm going with what the Billing supplied parts produce........once the deck is sealed, I can start fitting out the deck layout. I like what you did with the dead eyes.......not sure what I want to do, but I may just keep with the supplied parts here as well. very nice progress!

thanks Lawrence.......I had a very nice B-day.....kinda stunk that I had to work, but the evening made it all worth while! I did finally get back to the table.......but there has been an {hopefully} interesting turn of events. I will post soon! thank you as well Hlipplaa. I have some ideas I want to throw at this build.....should give it some cool detail. the Half Moon is in turn......I need to fix the bottom paint first, as there are some thing I'm not happy with. I hope that by getting back to the table, I can start the ball rolling again. I thank you for your interest....the momentum will pick up, I'm sure

looking great Sjors!.......very well done!

I've done that as well.....I use a decal bonder on mine to lock in the ink jet image. the decal can be painted over though, I've not had any problems doing it. with all the variants of any one color, it's hard to get'em just right. I've tried it.......and scrapped many of my attempts. if you have another set, take a razor and score the affected area......then when the decal is ready to apply, remove the scored area, and apply. something to try.......maybe?

looks super!

your build looks really great with the added fittings.......I like the deck shot once you finish the repairs to the aft deck, then there will be nothing to distract from it masting will be a huge step forward, it will be very interesting to see!

looking good Dragzz......now to keep them even, level, and square

nice job along the hull Ron.........that really looks sweet!

thank you Lawrence. I know some find these boats {plastic or metal} in their kits, and lament. I just hope I've shown them that this minus can be turned into a plus. I've always said that bash is the basic form of scratch building. learn this, and they'll be scratch'in before they know it! I do apologize though....I have not been to active of late. this summer has really put a crimp on my style. I hope to pick up where I left off soon thanks for the good word!

with the supply of blister pacs today......there's a never ending supply of clear cello. I keep some of the weird shapes around, just in case there's a call for a curved window. I like how you etched it.....a really cool effect that's an awful lot of tree nailing. it does give her some sweet looking detail......she's coming along very nice....stern looks great!

the same thing happened to me with a set of decals......{what process do you use Remco} can you simply touch up the '9'...seems to be the only sticky wicket looks great Piet!

http://maryanndrydock.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/the-mary-ann-part-1/ you should be able to view all of the logs with this link.....just click on the months on the right. the odd thing about this site, is they show the links to other logs at the bottom of the page, but they are not in order usually. I hope you find them helpfull

looks like you got some really great pointers.......the jig is a good idea to insure they're all the same size

looking great Sjors! keep going!

glad you posted your progress .....be proud of your accomplishments. have you had any luck in getting those templates of the gun port arrangements?

this is a great hull to work with......I made the M&M boat with the same hull it's got some nice bones, if you want to bash her a little. I have a set of build logs that I did on the Word Press site...they go a little more in depth.... I can give you the link if you like. I mentioned the Cux 87......I got a few ideas from that build....you should go to the Billing's site and look over the instructions for that kit {you can even download them}. it's the same hull, just fitted differently.

glad this didn't result in a food fight! really nice work!

you have some great detail in the main structure........as well as the cage. don't fall victim to the 'own worst critic' syndrome.......just remember......"I did that" it looks great, you know! remember.....I'm taking notes for when I do my PT boat

the window.......a perfect distraction but, you think about it......it might just serve you well. put a fan in the window to act as an exhaust, and you'll be able to paint and sand, without all the fumes and dust a fine sturdy bench......with drawers to organize your tools......I'm Jealous! looking forward to your build of the E.C.B.

scratch building......oh, go ahead..........{you know you want to} {devil horns spiking through} it can be a wonderful tool........it can build creativity. you may not realize it...but your build has some in it bash is a mild form......making do with the supplied parts. I'd say by looking at your build.....your up for the task nice progress, by the way

wow Augie.......the deck looks super! the color looks nice as well looks to me....you gave her a very nice anniversary present! not much more to go.......

hi there Gundorph.....looking pretty good with your build . I built this boat as well.....a very fun build to do. I also built the Cux 87 {basically the same hull}. I have logs here that you can look up. I wish I can say more at the moment, but I have to get ready for work