KevinR

Hi Kevin
 
Your Skipjack's coming along beautifully. Great detail!
 
All the best
 
Patrick

I have completed the planking on the Skipjack this evening.





I still have a lot of sanding to smooth out the planks and shape the blocks at the bow. The planks were purchased from National Balsa. The dimensions of the bass wood strips are not consistent and leave a lot to be desired. You get what you pay for.
 

I prefer to use clamps, but I could not get them to work, so I am using pins to hold the planks in place until the glue dries.

The first set of planks were aligned with the transom. This created some odd angles to the transom. Now the planks are 90deg to the keelson and should make planking faster. It also looks better to me.

 

The skipjack is a traditional fishing boat used on Chesapeake Bay for oyster dredging. Skipjacks vary in size, usually 40 – 60 feet in length. They were not built from plans. Almost every dimension of the hull and rig is a ratio of the length of the hull.

Several weeks back, my wife and I went to the Reedvillle Fisherman's Museum in Reedville Virginia. They have a skipjack, Claud W. Somers, a deck boat, Elva C., a replica of Captain John Smith's barge (circa 1608) and what remains of a Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe. It is a small museum with lots of models, model train layout and a boat yard. While perusing the gift shop I came across Steve Rogers, Patricia Staby-Rogers  book “Model Boat Building: The Skipjack” and bought it. I was already working on MS Phantom, but I kept going back to this book.

So here is my build log for a 45ft skipjack. This is my first scratch build model. My primary source is the book “Model Boat Building: The Skipjack”. For reference and additional information I am using the plans for the MS Willie Bennett, Ben Lankford's  book “Modeling Guide for Model Shipways Kit willie L. Bennett” and a spreadsheet I found on line at http://msuweb.montclair.edu/~lebelp/Miscellany.html. The spreadsheet has the dimensions ratios used to build skipjacks and has come in very handy. “Model Boat Building: The Skipjack” talks about the ratios that are used to calculate the skipjack dimensions, but no where in the book are they listed.
 
The books I am using for reference.

Cutting the keelson.


Gluing the keelson.


Adding the stemliner and the transom.





Attaching the strongback. The strongback is nailed in place and will be removed after the bottom planking is completed. There was no specific location given for the strongback so the placement was based on the Willie Bennett plans.

Adding the first plank. This is where you determine the shape of the hull.



The side planking completed.






 
Edited to add links

Cap-n-Bob, Thanks for the complement. The cross planking is something different and it is a lot easier to install.
 
I have been working on the Centerboard Case and the midship deckbeams. When I started I ran into some problems with the plans and instructions by Steve Rogers. The Center Board case is suppose to be 1-1/2 inches (3 feet scale). The deckbeams are 1/2x1/4 inch strips. The deckbeams are suppose to be notched to fit over the shelf clamps (deck beam supports). The shelf clamps are installed 1/4 inch below the top of the side planks. When I started laying it out, for the deckbeams to be even with the top of the Centerboard Case, they would have to rest on top of the shelf clamps. This would also make the height of the deck camber 1/4 inch (6 inches scale). At the time 6 inch camber seemed excessive so I shortened the center board case by 1/8 inch and notched the deckbeams.
 
I notice today in the photos in the plans, that the shelf clamps looks like they are installed 1/8 inch below the top of the side planks. I also noticed that the deck will have a good rise at the bow. Re-thinking the 6inch camber now, it does not seem so excessive for a boat with a 14 foot beam.
 
I believe that the error was in the placement of the shelf clamps. They should have been placed at 1/8 inch vice 1/4 inch.
 
Now the big question is do I scrap the centerboard case and deck beams I worked so hard on this weekend or keep going with what I have? I had a lot of fun and learned a lot, this weekend working on the inside of the hull. I also believe I could do a better job if I did it all over. The Centerboard Case and deckbeams are just dry fitted so replacing them would not break any thing. The shelf clamps are glued on. I could cut them off and place a new one in the correct location. I have also thought about just running a 1/8 inch strip right above the current shelf clamp.
 
Now for the photos.

Today I started working on the Centerboard Case. My plan is to finish it over the centerboard Case over the weekend. We will see if I can follow through with my plans.

The outside of the hull is almost finished.  I finished shaping the bow and added the keel.

Hi Everyone,
Well The weekend is over and I have made some progress. Most of the progress was in researching and planning my next move. I spent 3 days planning where to put everything. My skipjack is very close in size to the Willie Bennet, so I did not want to use the same deck layout. I was hoping to put the second cabin midship like on EC Collier and Kathryn, but there was not enough room. So I believe my only concession to be different is that the forward cabin will have a flat roof and not sloped like the Willie Bennet.
The living accommodations on the Skipjacks were pretty slim. The headroom in the aft cabin on the Willie Bennet was only 3-1/2 feet. On the EC Collier (50') which was 7 feet longer, the headroom was 5 feet in the aft cabin and 3-1/2 feet in the midship cabin. Apparently the second cabin on Skipjacks was only big enough to lay down in and the aft (main) cabin was barely big enough to sit and cook in.
 
I got back to work on the boat and added the aft strongback, the forward strongback with knees and started adding the ceiling floor in the fo'c'sle cabin.

Hi Everyone,
Well The weekend is over and I have made some progress. Most of the progress was in researching and planning my next move. I spent 3 days planning where to put everything. My skipjack is very close in size to the Willie Bennet, so I did not want to use the same deck layout. I was hoping to put the second cabin midship like on EC Collier and Kathryn, but there was not enough room. So I believe my only concession to be different is that the forward cabin will have a flat roof and not sloped like the Willie Bennet.
The living accommodations on the Skipjacks were pretty slim. The headroom in the aft cabin on the Willie Bennet was only 3-1/2 feet. On the EC Collier (50') which was 7 feet longer, the headroom was 5 feet in the aft cabin and 3-1/2 feet in the midship cabin. Apparently the second cabin on Skipjacks was only big enough to lay down in and the aft (main) cabin was barely big enough to sit and cook in.
 
I got back to work on the boat and added the aft strongback, the forward strongback with knees and started adding the ceiling floor in the fo'c'sle cabin.

Hi Everyone,
Well The weekend is over and I have made some progress. Most of the progress was in researching and planning my next move. I spent 3 days planning where to put everything. My skipjack is very close in size to the Willie Bennet, so I did not want to use the same deck layout. I was hoping to put the second cabin midship like on EC Collier and Kathryn, but there was not enough room. So I believe my only concession to be different is that the forward cabin will have a flat roof and not sloped like the Willie Bennet.
The living accommodations on the Skipjacks were pretty slim. The headroom in the aft cabin on the Willie Bennet was only 3-1/2 feet. On the EC Collier (50') which was 7 feet longer, the headroom was 5 feet in the aft cabin and 3-1/2 feet in the midship cabin. Apparently the second cabin on Skipjacks was only big enough to lay down in and the aft (main) cabin was barely big enough to sit and cook in.
 
I got back to work on the boat and added the aft strongback, the forward strongback with knees and started adding the ceiling floor in the fo'c'sle cabin.

Hi Everyone,
Well The weekend is over and I have made some progress. Most of the progress was in researching and planning my next move. I spent 3 days planning where to put everything. My skipjack is very close in size to the Willie Bennet, so I did not want to use the same deck layout. I was hoping to put the second cabin midship like on EC Collier and Kathryn, but there was not enough room. So I believe my only concession to be different is that the forward cabin will have a flat roof and not sloped like the Willie Bennet.
The living accommodations on the Skipjacks were pretty slim. The headroom in the aft cabin on the Willie Bennet was only 3-1/2 feet. On the EC Collier (50') which was 7 feet longer, the headroom was 5 feet in the aft cabin and 3-1/2 feet in the midship cabin. Apparently the second cabin on Skipjacks was only big enough to lay down in and the aft (main) cabin was barely big enough to sit and cook in.
 
I got back to work on the boat and added the aft strongback, the forward strongback with knees and started adding the ceiling floor in the fo'c'sle cabin.

Hi Everyone,
Well The weekend is over and I have made some progress. Most of the progress was in researching and planning my next move. I spent 3 days planning where to put everything. My skipjack is very close in size to the Willie Bennet, so I did not want to use the same deck layout. I was hoping to put the second cabin midship like on EC Collier and Kathryn, but there was not enough room. So I believe my only concession to be different is that the forward cabin will have a flat roof and not sloped like the Willie Bennet.
The living accommodations on the Skipjacks were pretty slim. The headroom in the aft cabin on the Willie Bennet was only 3-1/2 feet. On the EC Collier (50') which was 7 feet longer, the headroom was 5 feet in the aft cabin and 3-1/2 feet in the midship cabin. Apparently the second cabin on Skipjacks was only big enough to lay down in and the aft (main) cabin was barely big enough to sit and cook in.
 
I got back to work on the boat and added the aft strongback, the forward strongback with knees and started adding the ceiling floor in the fo'c'sle cabin.

Hi Everyone,
Well The weekend is over and I have made some progress. Most of the progress was in researching and planning my next move. I spent 3 days planning where to put everything. My skipjack is very close in size to the Willie Bennet, so I did not want to use the same deck layout. I was hoping to put the second cabin midship like on EC Collier and Kathryn, but there was not enough room. So I believe my only concession to be different is that the forward cabin will have a flat roof and not sloped like the Willie Bennet.
The living accommodations on the Skipjacks were pretty slim. The headroom in the aft cabin on the Willie Bennet was only 3-1/2 feet. On the EC Collier (50') which was 7 feet longer, the headroom was 5 feet in the aft cabin and 3-1/2 feet in the midship cabin. Apparently the second cabin on Skipjacks was only big enough to lay down in and the aft (main) cabin was barely big enough to sit and cook in.
 
I got back to work on the boat and added the aft strongback, the forward strongback with knees and started adding the ceiling floor in the fo'c'sle cabin.

I have not done an update for a while, the truth is that I got side tracked on the Herreshoff 12 1/2 . I decided to try out the Keel revisions that I had done. ( after building the proto type ) I will have an update on the Buzzards Bay in the next day or so . Here are a few pics of what I have been working on, with the Buzzards Bay 14 in the foreground in photo #1

Today, I started by truing up all the frames , Next I glued in the first 4 frames then built the Mast step , I then attached the 5th frame ( or frame 7' - 6" ) ,   this was one of the things that is easier to do now rather than the way I did it on the first one . Next will be to detail the cockpit frames and install them. All the connections were glued with Titebond 3 ( waterproof glue, as she is being built so that she will be able to be sailed ) Here are the results

Thank you all for not adding to the pressure.  Carl, please no “thumb screws” I’ll be needing my thumbs. 
 
At first I was thinking of a removable top of the cabin to show off the insides but now I’m thinking I’ll do it like Omega did on his Mystic.  There’s always that problem of showing as much of the insides as possible and yet still showing the lines and beauty of the boat.  Omega and Nils both do a marvelous job of that and with help and suggestions from all my modeling friends, maybe I can come close.
 
Bob

Here are the two risers profile drying, the lighter one (on the port) is almost dry.

Before I red paint the inners, I wanted to create the Risers, (I scribed them, accordingly to instructions) my scribing wasn't as close to the edge as Chucks' but I am happy with the outcome.
I used the metal ruler and my extreme fine teeth saw to create the line, I was able to go over it three times, then I cleaned it out with a light touch of blade #11.
It's amazing how the picture still reveal wood in the grooves.
Scribing comes first, then after the soaking I placed the riser to shape it along the inside of the frames.

I am satisfied with the installation of the floorboards, using model needles for spacing got them tighter but still with a visible gap.
The distance is the same on both side.
Minimal sanding was needed as the floor boards had been adjusted before.

In some boats the mast was mounted in such a way that the fore and back stays could be used to move the mast for better handling even while sailing.
 
Bob

I am trying to figure out where the mast goes. Looking at the three plan I get three different ratios for the mast placement.
1) Willie Bennett: Length of Deck 42' 6"; Distance of Mast from Stem 7' 4"; Ratio: 0.17254
2) EC Collier: Length of Deck 49' 8"; Distance of Mast from Stem ~8'; Ratio: 0.16108
3) Kathryn: Length of Deck 50'; Distance of Mast from Stem ~10' 6"; Ratio: 0.21
 
My Skipjack: Length of Deck 44' 6"; Distance of Mast from Stem 1) 7.678', 2) 7.168', 3) 9.345'
 
In am going to discount Kathryn's measurement because she is not typical. She is not cross planked like the usual skipjack. She is framed and fore and aft planked.
 
Using the Willie Bennett's and the EC Collier's measurements give me 6" (1/4" in scale) to play with when placing the mast. The rake of the mast is 80 deg. The top of the mast should be centered over the hold.
 
My spreadsheet says the mast should be 59.88' and I calculate it should be 10.4 feet foreword of the center of the hatches. That places my mast 1' aft from what I figured.  I also noticed the Willie Bennett's and my centerboard are place way forward of the other 2 skipjacks. Steve Rogers based his plans off of the Willie Bennett so that is why they match up. Was there that much variation is the placement of the Centerboard? I wouldn't thank so. The placement of the centerboard would affect the way the boat handled.  If I move the centerboard aft 1.8' that will change my inboard layout some. O well I will figure it out.
 
Thanks for reading my ramble. More will probably be coming as I try to figure out what I am doing.

Kevin, the location of the mast depends on the size and shape of the sail.  The total sail area should be slightly ahead of the total below waterline area of the hull and keel, for proper balance in sailing.  So if the main is a little larger and the jib a little smaller the mast will be forward on the other hand if the jib is a little larger and the main a little smaller the mast will be farther back.  So there is no way to say because one boat has the mast at a certain spot all boats of that type must have their mast at the same place.  That is only true in “One Design” boats.
 
Bob

Here's where I am so far.
 
I've brushed on a couple of primer coats of flat white acrylic, I still need to do some more sanding and a couple of spots to fill then I will be ready to spray. Anyone have any ideas on giving a slight sheen to the flat white. I don't want to go all out gloss because it would look out of scale, but just enough gloss to look like the old Valspar paint.
 
I wanted to bash the kit a little, so I added a small bowsprit,and changed the rudder to a more traditional looking one. The instructions indicated that it was not uncommon to spike a short bowsprit in order to add a larger jib.
 
I have the mast sanded, boom, and gaff done also. I'm working on rebuilding the companion way cover and hatch boards.
 
Steve, I have found the quality to be pretty good. I think taking my time and not rushing has made all the difference.
 
Thanks everyone for the kind words, It's moving forward slowly but surely.
Pat
 

I am trying to figure out where the mast goes. Looking at the three plan I get three different ratios for the mast placement.
1) Willie Bennett: Length of Deck 42' 6"; Distance of Mast from Stem 7' 4"; Ratio: 0.17254
2) EC Collier: Length of Deck 49' 8"; Distance of Mast from Stem ~8'; Ratio: 0.16108
3) Kathryn: Length of Deck 50'; Distance of Mast from Stem ~10' 6"; Ratio: 0.21
 
My Skipjack: Length of Deck 44' 6"; Distance of Mast from Stem 1) 7.678', 2) 7.168', 3) 9.345'
 
In am going to discount Kathryn's measurement because she is not typical. She is not cross planked like the usual skipjack. She is framed and fore and aft planked.
 
Using the Willie Bennett's and the EC Collier's measurements give me 6" (1/4" in scale) to play with when placing the mast. The rake of the mast is 80 deg. The top of the mast should be centered over the hold.
 
My spreadsheet says the mast should be 59.88' and I calculate it should be 10.4 feet foreword of the center of the hatches. That places my mast 1' aft from what I figured.  I also noticed the Willie Bennett's and my centerboard are place way forward of the other 2 skipjacks. Steve Rogers based his plans off of the Willie Bennett so that is why they match up. Was there that much variation is the placement of the Centerboard? I wouldn't thank so. The placement of the centerboard would affect the way the boat handled.  If I move the centerboard aft 1.8' that will change my inboard layout some. O well I will figure it out.
 
Thanks for reading my ramble. More will probably be coming as I try to figure out what I am doing.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and for the likes and comments. Well I have not made much progress over the last week. Took the admiral out of town this past weekend.
 
I have done a lot of research and come to a couple of conclusions. Steve Richard's book “Model Boat Building: The Skipjack” is only good for a very basic build. There are several of the finer details missing.
 
Someone gave me a copy of Ben Lankford's "Modeling Guide For Model Shipways Kit Willie L. Bennett" as well as the plans for the Model Shipway Willie Bennett. These items provide a lot of the details that I was looking for.
 
Online I have found the Historic American Engineering Records (Surveys) for the Skipjacks EC Collier (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/md1203/) and Kathryn (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/md1454/). These provide more details on the Skipjack construction methods used.
 
With these additional resources I will be using Steve Richard's book as more of a guideline and do some of my on thing.
 
Also, Marty want's me to make a working centerboard. So I will need to cut the slot in the keelson before I go any further. ( He didn't have to twist my arm to much.)
 
I will post some more progress soon.