Auvergne

What an amazing job you did on her Michael!! A vessel very worthy to be proud of. John E

Ollie, Thanks so much for commenting! Means so much to hear. Aussie, Thank you as well! Great hearing from you all!

dgbot, Thanks friend....something I learned from someone on MSW....grateful for your comment. John E

Mij...thank you! I'll keep you posted. Kindly, John E

A couple of photos showing the work mentioned in my previous post. Lots of work to do but looking a bit better this morning. I will continue to post my progress later. Need more work completed on main deck aft and to the right. John E

Thanks Mij, I seriously think this Xebec will be a modified version of the original kit. I cannot go back and undo what has already been done so pressing onward. Your Xebec is beautiful Mij, and I salute you, sir. Presently I have built the outer walls of the aft section. Here again, I raised the walls by two planks in order to allow for the height extension of what I covered to align with the deck on the stern instead of the grating. It will work I am sure as I also wish for the metal scrollwork, cap-rails and top-plates to align at a downward angle from the transom. At this point this Chebec may be experimental but I am continuously improving my carpentry skills, trim skills, paint, and staining my deck. The main deck is almost complete and then on to the sides of the main deck. I'll try and post a couple of pics later this morning.

Hi Michael, All I can say is she appears flawless and beautiful!! John E.

Hi Bob, Well sir, you just helped me in a very big way. I love the old vessels in some of my lines drawings books and would like to research these vessels and make scratch builds as you did so well. I have been pondering for quite some time now. I am a draftsman and have been fascinated by Marine Engineering and Drafting. I just need to learn how to model. Keep going Bob because with you there is so much potential. Thanks for sharing your story of Joshua Slocum and Spray. John E

I saw how you did your grating. Superior craftsmanship and I like the way you used exotics. Did you use the kit parts as a template to cut out in exotic woods? That is what it looks like to me. You taught me so much on this vessel. Since my grating is set to high at the stern and already glued I am not sure what to do. I will have to correct somehow....any advice?? You did very well and I am pleased you have taken your valued time to assist in my build. John E

Beautiful work and the paint job was immaculate. BTW what kind of spackling did you use on the hull prior to airbrushing?

A small amount of filler for the small opening....trim is in and now off to do the planking of stern sides. This will be stained a light Oak as the main and aft decks. John E

Thank you Ollie! Great advice! I know coming from you this is a good thing though rest assured I have much work to do on the aft section. The knife I use is a Flexcut chip carving roughing out knife. I will and have been needing to invest in very sharp blades. I used to carve wood and know the blade must be very sharp otherwise we do not really cut the wood. You are a good man Ollie, always a smile on your face now, and always helpful hints. Thanks very much.

Been working since 4:30 am on aft section where the grating should go. I have before pictures and after pictures. I am thinking the after will be a final conclusion with the exception of planking the stern sides in. I am not going to cut or drill hills into this piece because thus far it has looked sloppy. Any suggestions and or comment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks !! John E

Following are 2 photos of what I was attempting to do with the grating aft...I am not pleased and feel my craftsmanship is little to be desired. I wanted some critique to see a better approach. But first, let me say before I even started on this aft section I remembered I have a good size stack of 1/16" Birch wood that is just sitting on a shelf. So I began to think of replacing the 1x4x.5 planks with a cutout of the area with the Birch. I was successful at cutting a piece that slipped right into the exterior framing quite nicely. All I have to do is drill holes at 5/64" to show where the water would drain to keep vessel from pitch-poling upon being hit by a rogue wave. My problem with this approach seems to be just how much of a realistic look I need to achieve. I am looking for a clean look which will look better than the kit part. I figure this is a good approach but was wondering if anyone had any ideas. I am looking online to research the grating for the Xebec and potentially discover a better way. (Actually, I am ashamed of the 2 photos I will show but some of you folks with more experience may be able to help.) These instructions in the Amati kit (to me anyway), are difficult to understand. I also feel this is an opportunity to advance a scratch built section of the vessel but really need to see real time photos of the actual build from someone else. Thanks for allowing me to ramble on. It is 4:30 AM where I am and I am half asleep.

Thank you aew, Please read previous post concerning my Bireme. I appreciate your advice but I will not give up. I just thank all the wonderful encouragement and advice I receive from all who have gone before me, such as yourself. Thanks again.

Hi friends! I had an accident with the Bireme....she is in the scrap pile now.....I recently relocated and in the process she was smashed to pieces.....I hope no one is disappointed but I must say I am an apprentice and I was trying an advanced level kit. Didn't do too bad but I discovered later on there were 2 triangular pieces I had no idea where they were to be placed, but, also discovered they were part of the bow's battering ram. I still have her plans and may make a scratch build from her one day. One never knows.....thank you all for continuing on this journey with me.

Ollie, Your work is so clean!! Time is of the essence, eh, I need to slow her down and quit putting in long days on the Xebec..Nicely crafted Ollie.

Hi Ollie, No worries for you I am sure. You are greatly skilled, gifted, and quite knowledgeable, and I will look forward to watching your build mature into the beauty the Endeavour truly is. As a pen & ink artist, this was one of my favorites I rendered....along with the USS Constitution and the HMS Victory. I rendered approximately 15 vessels in several years in pointillism. Well, keep in touch, and best wishes to you and your Endeavour........

Hey there Mij, So far so good.. I should post some photos in a day or two to show the work I am doing on the (I don't know what to call this), but, it is the aft grating at the stern. The kit part broke into a few pieces when I tried cutting and now I am forced to design and construct the grating by hand....which is interesting and fun. I have spent all day (6 hours), on this project and it is looking promising. I will post photos when I have her finished at this stage. Mainly working on the aft deck and bits and pieces here and there. Wish the glue would dry faster. I'll keep you posted Mij..... John E

I as well David. I am presently going through the design book by Chapman entitled, "Architectura Navalis Mercatoria," 18th century naval architecture. The vessels I am considering doing scratchbuilds of are 1.) a Algerine Xebec which looks nice, 2.) various launches, 3.) and a Egyptian or Roman Galley....I think all who are interested in modelling have built the USS Constitution and other US vessels of which I hold in high interest, but the foreign appeal has a grip on me in regards to design, aesthetics and challenges. I hope this will become a reality by end of year. John E

Hi Anthony! I am hoping to make this Xebec on a second go around as a scratch build should I acquire the necessary skills. I have some ideas rendered from MSW and our fellow mates. I will be using the same plans unless I obtain other plans from elsewhere. In one of my books by Chapelle there is a very nice Xebec...Spanish I think and that may be a possibility as well. John E

So sorry folks I have been delayed and away for some time since my last post....had 3 surgeries in one year.....I am back on the Xebec though...I would be very interested in Le Requin's plans for a scratch build myself. Never have tried one but definitely wish to give her a go....here are some of the latest pics.

Beautiful and superb detail.....As a novice one may learn so much from your postings. I like the toothpick details as well as your rigging....outstanding for such a small space to work in.....keep up the superb craftsmanship.

Nice choice for a build! I was wondering where you found it?? I am interested in French designed vessels but know nothing of where to find good kits. Presently working a Xebec and dare not to show photos as of yet since this is my first build I believe I will finish. Best wishes on your new journey!

Very nice lines!!!