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Charles P Notman by cdrusn89 - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 1/96
cdrusn89 posted a topic in 1851 - 1900
I finished the Fannie A. Gorham (three masted schooner) this morning and have the Charles P. Notman (4 masted schooner) ready to start but first need to clean up and reorganize the workshop. This kit will be a first for me as the Notman used galvanized wire for the standing rigging so no Black/Dark Brown thread during this build. Since the workbench is still a mess I will have to start with a picture of the box on the shelf. I did open it already and will take a look at the instructions and drawings when I get a spot cleaned off enough. It seems I must have taken out/used every tool, box, container and bottle in the course of building the Gorham. What a mess. Famous last words - "I will clean up and put things away as they are no longer needed - THIS TIME!" -
CNS ALFRED by Schooner - Bluejacket Shipcrafters - scale 1/8"
schooner posted a topic in 1751 - 1800
I'm going to be building a model of the Continental Navy Frigate ALFRED using Bluejacket's solid hull kit. The ALFRED was one of the first ships commissioned into the Continental Navy in 1775. Converted from a new merchant ship she was John Paul Jones first ship. I picked this kit because I've never done a 3-masted ship model before, and as much as I would love to build a clipper ship I simply don't have room for it, or to be more precise, as far as my wife is concerned there is not enough room in our house for both me and a large cased sailing ship model. Bluejacket's ALFRED meets my needs perfectly because the completed model is only about 18 inches long and 13 inches high but is fully detailed and it will fit on one of my bookcase shelves. My next post will show the kit's contents. -
Hello, just started my fifth ship model build. This time it is a model of the Spray. I have had this model on the shelf for about 15-18 years. I am a bit concerned that the build is beyond my ability and the instructions assume more knowledge then I have but time will tell. One of the reasons I am building this boat is that Joshua Slocum was from Nova Scotia and I was born and live here, home of the Bluenose and many many other ships worth modeling. I just finished a small model of The Bounty's launch, this was the first model I have build in about 12-15 years. Now back in it. This Spray model is still available: http://www.bluejacketinc.com/kits/spray.htm -
Hi everybody. My name is Kurt Hauptfuehrer. You can just call me Kurt H when replying. I am new to this site, and, as you can see, new to the process of posting build logs. The Bluejacket Constitution is my first build. I chose this one because you can completely outfit the gun deck. This kit is excellent in many respects, but it is a very challenging build, especially for a novice like me. I wanted to share my build logs because, even though there are a multitude of sins, there are some aspects of my build that you may merit your attention (I hope). At any rate, my sharing of the experiences I had and the mistakes I made my benefit other novices who are doing this build. -
I used 1/16 x 1/16 balsa to build up the bullworks -
This is my first wooden boat model. I chose the Entry level Grand Banks Dory from Blue Jacket. -
My first attempt at a builders log (we all know that long before it became a fashionable term, that is what "blog" referred to). I write this as I am a couple of months into the build. I expect to have the blog catch up to real time over the next week or so). * * * Joshua Slocum left Boston in April 1895 aboard the 35 foot sloop Spray, finishing his circumnavigation of the world over three years later, in July of 1898. He was the first to circle the globe alone. We know quite a lot about that trip since the definitive book on the subject, Sailing Alone Around the World, was written by none other than Joshua Slocum. Less well known is that he left New England in 1909 for South America, sailing alone again on Spray, never to be heard from again. While working on Model Shipways’ Yacht America, I decided to look to Blue Jacket for my next build, and while exploring its many interesting offerings, I skipped over Spray several times as not being interesting enough a boat, not realizing its historical significance. But about a year ago the name Slocum caught my eye, and Spray stepped into my on-deck circle. This was inspired in part by an imminent trip to Patagonia, including a short cruise on a small ship visiting the Straights of Magellan (where Slocum sailed), Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn. First thing, of course, upon getting the kit in the mail, I inventoried the parts (all present and accounted for), quickly read through the instructions, and examined the two sheets of plans with some care. The plans are in my view quite clear and detailed--here’s a small excerpt. The instructions are less detailed than I am used to (at least compared with Model Shipways). They include a separate booklet with general instructions for planked kits. BlueJacket identifies this kit as one of its more difficult ones (rated 7 on a scale of 1 to 9, although BlueJacket doesn’t rate its kits with numbers like that). Eight months later, after finishing America, I opened the box again, took another close look at the plans, and began cutting out the laser cut bulkheads. The bulkheads are referred to in the kit as “frames”, numbered from 2 (oddly) to 12. That aside, they are sharply and precisely cut and easy to remove from the sheets they were cut from. I also took a close look at the keel. It was slightly warped, but not sufficiently so to cause me any concern. You have to look closely to see it in the photos below. I later noticed that the warp has a slight twist to it (so the stem and stern portions are not quite in the same vertical plane), but again, not enough to be of any real concern. Using the plans as my guide, I marked the bulkhead locations and the water line on the keel. While cutting out the bulkheads, I quickly glanced at the instructions and noticed an oddity--the plans have this warning written on one sheet, while the instructions imply the opposite. Oh well, it certainly is easy to be critical; I shudder to think what my plans and instructions would look like were I to try to manufacture a kit. The instructions say that the fit between the keel and the bulkheads should be snug, but they warn that some bulkhead slots may need to be sanded to open them up a bit and avoid splitting the bulkheads. I had the exact opposite problem; most of the bulkheads were too loose to stand up unassisted. I cut a thin strip of construction paper and glued shims to the inside of the slots on most of the bulkheads--that took care of the issue. Here are the bulkheads dry fitted to the keel. Next installment, my first mistake. . .
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Hello Folks, I am excited to begin my second build log and Blue Jacket kit on MSW. My first log was the "Yankee Hero" by Blue Jacket and I had a great time with the kit and posting the build. I enjoyed hearing from all the kind and supporting people in MSW. The Revenue Cutter represents what I believe is a reasonable progression from the Yankee Hero. The challenge I anticipate with this build is that I intend and (attempt) to complete this kit utilizing copper plates versus painting copper below the waterline. I was inspired to try this after I saw the Revenue Cutter build log by sjanicki. Be safe and have great 4th of July holiday weekend, Bill T.
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Time to start a new model. Made in Rockland, Maine in 1853, the Red Jacket was a clipper ship, one of the largest and fastest ever built. She was also the first ship of the White Star Line company. She was named after Sagoyewatha, a famous Seneca Indian chief, called "Red Jacket" by settlers.She was lost in a gale in 1885.On her first voyage, Red Jacket set the speed record for sailing ships crossing the Atlantic by traveling from New York to Liverpool in 13 days, 1 hour, 25 minutes, dock to dock. That record still stands today for commercial sailing vessels. The BlueJacket kit has 5 sheets of plans. Sheet 1 has the pre-carved hull laid on top of it. This is going to be a large model! (41" LOA) -
For my third wooded model ship (after the Monitor and Virginia) I decided upon the Revenue Cutter by BlueJacket. I chose it for its entry level status but also because it will introduce me to more rigging. Anyways, on to the build log! The kit comes in a nice cardboard box with a color label showing the completed model. The kit includes a number of brass and cast fittings as well as laser cut wood and a machine carved hull. A nice touch is a display cradle is included as well. The laser cut deck is really well done. Excited to start working on the various cast components! -
Plans glued to decks to aid shaping of hull. Section lines marked on hull. Section line templates created for shaping the hull. Beginning to shape the stern. Rough shaping of stern. -
Ok, Take II. I started a build and a build log, got very discouraged because it's a beginner's model and I found myself stymied by something new at every step, and scrapped the build log assuming I wasn't going to continue. I've taken a couple of deep breaths and am going to give it another go. Here's the image from after I assembled the frames, placed them (incorrectly) on the bottom piece, and attached the stem and transom (possibly also not quiet correctly.) I'm about one step past that and about to cross my fingers and see how planking goes.
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This will be my first solid hull build, and my first Blue Jacket Kit. My last build was a Midwest Boothsbay Lobster boat R/C. Looking forward to the experience of building the kit and posting the build. More posts/pictures to come, this was first just wanted to see if I got right. -
I purchased this model kit about a year ago while I was finishing up my second model, first scratch (USS ENGAGE). Now that I am done with that model (with the exception of building the display base) I am moving on to something more challenging. However, I am not a fan of the kits solid hull and only having the gun deck and main deck visible. There is a lot more to the CONSTITUTION than those two decks. My plan, therefore is to mix this as a kit and a scratch. The hull is going to be plank on frame. One side of the ship (probably the starboard) will be completely planked and painted; the other side (port side) will be open, so that someone can see all decks of this fine ship. Additionally, I am going to be as true to the construction of this model as to the original. I am going to use white oak and yellow pine through out the hull. I recognize this will be a significant challenge and will consume years (USS ENGAGE took me 12 years to complete, granted it sat idle for significant portions of that period). Everything else will be as per the model kit instructions. My first step in this process is the framing. Using the hull lines plan from the model instruction book I traced out one side of the frame and scanned the tracing into a PDF. I have attached the tracing for Frame "7". After scanning into my computer, I adjusted the scale to 100% (they were coming out at 139%) and took a screen shot of just the tracing from the centerline out just past the frame. I then pasted that screen shot onto a Power Point slide, increased the size to 108% (I came to that percentage after trial and error of getting the print out accurate size). I copied the half and flipped it to make the entire frame - port and starboard side (see the attached photo). Once I have all the frames and keel complete, I will glue them onto white oak plank and commence cutting. I have a concern about the strength of the frame, especially where it narrows at the top, above the main deck. My gut tells me to glue two or three planks with their grains perpendicular to then one next to it and then plane that down to the thickness of the frame. I am open to suggestions here, and welcome them as I am still tracing out the frames. CCF07272019_00002.pdf -
For my next model ship I chose the BlueJacket USS Perry - a brig that was heralded as “the fasted ship in the navy” when it was launched. I chose this model to continue building my skills, in general ship construction as well as copper plating and more complex rigging. The kids has a machine carved basswood hull, an extensive laser cut wood kit, many cast fittings, a rigging kit, and quite a few photo etched parts as well. I also ordered the optional paint kit, photo CD, and copper plates. The kit comes in a heavy cardboard box with a color label with a description of the ship. After copper plating the Revenue Cutter I am excited to try my hand again with my additional learnings. The kit contains a number of well done cast fittings. With the Revenue Cutter only having three different sizes of rigging this is certainly a step up! The color instruction manual is very detailed with many great illustrations to complement the photos on the photo CD. The book begins with a nice photo of the completed ship. Super looking forward to diving into this model! Also, I believe this is the first build log of this particular model so I would really appreciate peoples input and comments as I move along.
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Since I just joined, and this is my first build, please note that the photo attached is where I am currently. Been 15 years to get this far. Here is the overall view of what has been done up to this point: -
Hello from New Zealand. This is Georges Christmas present, Dad has a real life Herreshoff (Buzzards Bay 25). Planking underway, building a model boat while living on a boat. Keen to hear from anyone else thats built this model. -
First build of this type of model. Reviewing everything before I get to work.
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For my first wood ship model I chose the International Optimist Dinghy from Bluejacket, I must have watched Nic’s videos on YouTube a hundred times the last few months. When my employer sent me home on paid emergency leave due to the current pandemic I decided it was time to do finally do it. Well the day after I ordered the model (1 week after being sent home) my boss called and said come on in and pick up your work at home set up. I’m back at work thankful I am still working when I know so many out of work or on greatly reduced hours. First impressions: A very well padded box was delivered by the USPS. It was in a cardboard box and the heavy duty box the kit comes in was tightly wrapped by bubble wrap. Thanks for the stress relief Nic. Upon opening the box the paints were packed in a separate heavy box packed with more bubble wrap to keep them safe. No breakage or leakage. All the parts were there . I didn’t realize my kit came with a birthday. I'm not going to add pictures of all the tools and parts bundles, Nic does that very well in his videos. I've build the building mould and pencil lined the hull bottom I'll add more pictures as my progress continues. So far I am very happy with the kit and do not see any trouble waters over the horizon. -
To the best of my knowledge this is the first build log on MSW for this kit. Here is the apparently obligatory first picture of the kit box on the work bench. Given the season I will probably not get to much done in the near future 🎅
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Good morning, all! This is my first model in 40 years and my first wooden kit ever. Luckily, as a sailor of traditional vessels, I have a little basic knowledge to fall back on. I have elected to start with the Bluejacket kit YANKEE HERO, and since it's a snowy day here in Massachusetts, I am making fairly rapid progress. I've got he hull shaped, the hold and cabin top assembled, and I've just glued the deck to the hull and am waiting for the glue to dry. Wish me luck! Capt Mike -
I took advantage of a brief trip to mid-coast Maine to visit Bluejacket Shipcrafters in Searsport and purchase my next project, the schooner Bowdoin. This will be my second plank-on-bulkhead model. The first was twenty-five years ago, Laughing Whale's small Friendship Sloop. (That kit lives on in Bluejacket's line; they acquired Laughing Whale some years back.) Bowdoin looks like a good project for reacquainting myself with the planking process, and I have ESF's (Steve's) excellent build log for reference. Why Bowdoin? As the official state sailing ship of Maine and sail training vessel of the Maine Maritime Academy, she has strong connections to the state. I have deep roots in Maine on my father's side, and my wife's parents had a cottage on the coast for many years, so we spent a good deal of time there. I like the looks of the ship, and the fact that she was built for Arctic research and carried out that mission with great success. I like the relative simplicity of the rigging (I've had my fill of square-rigged masts for now). I get a kick out of knowing that the kit was developed (originally by Laughing Whale) and is built right in Maine, a short drive from where Bowdoin is based in Castine. Bluejacket Shipcrafters. A wonderland of beautifully finished ship models. That's proprietor Nic behind the counter. (The camera was inadvertently set on the Toy Camera effect for this shot and the next.) And here's Bowdoin. This will be a long project. I want to do Bowdoin justice as her centennial approaches. This is a good opportunity to learn new skills and improve existing ones. I'm not going to rush. I think there are at least two other Bowdoin's in the works, but neither has broken cover yet with a log. I'm looking forward to sharing information with these ongoing projects, especially when I run into the inevitable problems along the way. -
Portland by jbelwood and norm1116 - BlueJacket Kits Pre-laser kit purchased 1996 The 2019 Kit This is the order of construction per the BlueJacket manual. The Hull Priming by John Painting by John Partial deck mock up Paddle Wheels By John By Norm Paddle Wheel Boxes By Norm Walking Beam Funnel Assembly Sponsons By John and Clarence By Norm Keel, Stem, Stern post Rudder Waterline by John by Norm Cabin Profiles and Decks Main deck to saloon deck Cabin Sheathing and Paneling Rub Rails Trim Moldings Saloon Deck Hurricane Deck and Officer's Cabins Pilothouse Hurricane Deck Skylight Deck Fittings Davits and Vents Masts and Gaffs Stanchions and Railings Paddle Box Fronts Installation of Paddle Wheels Rigging Final Details Other: Walking beam at Annapolis Naval Academy Museum Other Annapolis Naval Academy Museum photos
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I decided on this kit for my next build because it will, if finished in time, become a Christmas gift for my daughter and son-in-law, both of whom enjoy eating lobster and vacationing in Maine. I'll probably put granddaughter's name on the finished model. I decided to do a build log because as far as I can find out this kit has never had one. Bluejacket sells 3 different lobster boat kits; this one which is 12’’ long, a 23” POB/POF kit, and a 3 ft honker with a fiberglass hull intended for RC. I went with this size because it will fit neatly on a bookshelf. The Red Baron is famous in lobstering circles, she won a lobster boat race a few years back, clocking in at a record 57 knots! I’ll show what’s in the box but if you are interested you can go to BlueJacket’s homepage and click on the “What’s in the box” tab where a video of this kit is shown, along with some shots of the completed model. Plans - one sheet of plans showing side and overhead views and the layout of the laser-cut wood pieces Instruction book - Bluejacket rates this kit as appropriate for beginners so the instructions are more detailed than what I am used to from their more advanced kits. The instructions tell you what to do, how to do it and provide warnings where needed to help prevent mistakes. There are also a lot of photos and drawings. Pre-carved hull: The hull already has its basic shape and the cockpit area is carved out so this should only take a little sanding to bring it into its final shape and then to smooth it up for painting Laser cut wood: Most of the wood provided in the kit is laser cut, including several templates that will be used to check the final shape of the hull near the bow and the curve of the stem. Metal fittings: A bag of brass and britannia metal fittings is provided, giving this kit more detail than I expected. Tools and supplies: The kit comes with basic tools like a hobby knife, sand paper, a pin vise with 2 drill bits, tweezers, a wooden ruler, and paintbrushes. Medium CA glue, debonder and all required paints are included. There is also a bag of white powder which I could not figure out until I read the directions - it’s wood filler that can be mixed with water. Lobster traps: Material and instructions to build 3 lobster traps are included.
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This is a build log that was created before I learned about this site. It is posted in sequence (more or less) and represents a rather enjoyable build of a BlueJacket wood kit with fiberglass hull and cabin top. I will post increments periodically - daily until the COMPLETED state is accomplished. Thanks Jim
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