Carmen 1850 by Bobstrake - FINISHED - Constructo - Scale 1:80

[Aqueous1025]

Looking really good Bob.  I really like the way she is coming out.  I tried sewing some sails on a kit I attempted in my youth and had terrible luck.  Your sails look awesome.

 

 

[Bobstrake]

Thank you one and all for your kind comments.

Jparsley, Brian, and Boyd,
I agree with your choice of the present sail color.

I've started rigging the sails and have run into some new difficulties.  I ran out of blocks, since the kit didn't come with enough extras to make up for the blocks that I crushed or lost.  I have also run out of rigging line. I have received some beautiful blocks from Syren, but not the rigging line yet.

I've rigged the fore, main and stay sails.  After rigging the main, I see that the fore sail needs to be cut down and rigged again. The stay sail needs some rework, too.  This is quite an educating experience.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Bobstrake

[GuntherMT]

I'm not seeing why the fore needs to be cut down, why do you think so?

[Bobstrake]

Brian,

 

To me, it looks like the gaff needs to be raised about half an inch, and angled up more, so the bottom of the sail does not fall behind the mast. The gaff will also match up with the topsail better. I will try to make these adjustments without cutting too many lines, but I will probably have to replace them all.

 

I really appreciate your input. Thanks again.

[GuntherMT]

Ok, I see what you are saying now.  Would it be easier to raise the throat of the gaff, or re-cut the sail?  

 

Could you achieve the same effect by taking up some of the height of the sail by relaxing it in the middle as if filled by wind, or by taking small hitches (not really sure how to describe what I'm thinking of here) in the sail using thread along that edge (sort of like tiny reefs in the sail, but only along the edge where the backing is - shortening up the sail by tiny increments all along it instead of one or two larger corrections)?

[Aqueous1025]

I definitely say she is looking good.  I know the feeling of tinkering too.  I have not even got that far on my little cross section and could not stop myself from deciding to stray from the plans and tinker with it a bit.  Your doing a great job and it is coming out great.

[Jparsley]

I didn't see anything wrong but I'm not a master either She is looking lovely

[Bobstrake]

Brian and Jparsley,

 

You were right! I moved the sail up half an inch and it looks silly. So now I'm putting it back, another lesson learned.

[GuntherMT]

Lessons are part of life Bob.  In the end all that matters is that the results make you happy!

[Aqueous1025]

I will second that.

[Bobstrake]

Well Brian and Aqueous1025,

 

My lessons continue.

 

I have finished the rigging, I think, after redoing several lines.  I may still redo the forstay. It seems kind of droopy.

 

I just received a brass name tag.  I got it made at Chick"s Discount Saddlery for $5.99.  Since It"s made for a saddle, it's heavy duty brass.  It came out beautiful, but a little bigger than I imagined. 

I plan to mount the tag at an angle, so it won't overpower the model.  We'll see. 

Edited October 20, 2015 by Bobstrake

[GuntherMT]

She looks great Bob.  Going to have to take the plunge and do sails on a model someday!

[Bobstrake]

Thank you Brian, and also to all the others who have followed and encouraged me through this build.

 

I consider Carmen completed.  Each morning I look up and see this view of her sitting on top of my speaker.  I can't tell you the satisfaction this sight gives me.

 

I've cut and re-rigged several lines as many as three times, and still see imperfections, but have decided to stop messing with her, and enjoy her as she is now.

 

In the beginning, my boys thought she would end up being a crappy, but cute, boat thingie.  I actually impressed them!

 

I will be looking at taking some nice detail shots and putting them in the Completed Kit Build Gallery, and then with a feeling of melancholy, say goodbye to this build.

 

Now on to new ship building lessons and adventures....

Edited November 4, 2015 by Bobstrake

[GuntherMT]

Great job Bob, she's definitely something you can be proud of, and display for everyone to see.

[thomaslambo]

Hi Bob,

 

Congratulations on the completion of an excellent build   

[Jparsley]

Man that is one good looking ship up on that speaker with the window light throwing light into those sails Be proud because she looks great Imagine how your next one will turn out if your learning curve turned out this great

[Aqueous1025]

Congradualtions on finishing a great looking model.  It is a beuatiful ship and looks really beautiful.  And it does look really good in front of the window with the light coming through.  Great spot for a beautiful model.

[Bobstrake]

Brian, Boyd, Jparsley, and Aqueous,

 

Thank you so much for the kind words. This has been a great learning experience.