Emma C Berry by J Haines - Model Shipways

[J Haines]

Howdy All. 

Just started working on the Emma C, my first true pof kit. The first frame was the most nerve-wracking to me, because all follow suit after that. I posted a few pics, nothing to exciting yet. Laid the keel, built the building jig and mounted frames 1-4.

This is a great site, tons of talent and great photos of build-ups. So far many questions I've had  have been answered just by reading posts.

I have been up close to the Emma C, I have a relative who worked at the Mystic Seaport back in the early 80's. have seen all the vessels there up close and personal, even been aloft on the Morgan, too bad digital cameras weren't available then...

[Old Sea Dog]

Great start

[bhermann]

Thanks for posting... Emma is on my list of potentials and it's nice to see another log I'll be able to follow if it happens. 

 

Bob

[Maury S]

She's a good place to get into a POF build.  Just be careful with how you use that hammer in the photo!

Maury

[trippwj]

Welcome - look forward to watching and learning as I start on my ECB.

[captainbob]

Looking good.

 

Bob

[J Haines]

The hammer is for last resort! 

[J Haines]

Well, have two more frames installed. I found the machinists square at a used tool store years ago, think it cost a buck or two, and it has well paid for it self. Also,  I found it useful to use the keelson to check for fit and alignment as frames are installed. 

 So far one major mistake has to be corrected, # 3 frames were installed too high and need to be lowered, you can see I removed one side, the other will need some coaxing. The cup of coffee... helps me focus. Doesn't even make me shake! 

[J Haines]

Howdy All..

  Have a few more frames up. Its a slow process but it is starting to look like a boat! I have found a few errors but nothing that can't be fixed with a shim, or that will be corrected after the deck beams are installed.

Have a good weekend...

[trippwj]

Looks nice - keep up the good work!  Should be working on mine some this evening.

[J Haines]

Hello Everybody,

 

  All the frames are up, and installed the keelson. I brass-pinned the keelson to the frames for a little extra strength, drill, insert pin w/a dab o' glue and insert. nip end off and file clean. Next, taper and clean the inside and outside of the frames , start building the interior. 

Instead of using the supplied transom I might scratch build one.  Have to make up my mind...

[cog]

I like this plank on frame build. It gives you the feeling you're doing the real thing. I'll be browsing your log from time to time to see how you tackle problems, and challanges. Have fun modeling

[craigb]

Wow! Tons of progress over just a month or so!  

Good looking build so far, and I like the photo of the boat end-on. It really shows how shallow the draft of this boat is. It looks fast. 

 

cheers

--cb

[J Haines]

Hi Everybody...

  Been awhile since I last posted, May has been a very busy month.

I Decided to use the laser cut transom, I will plank over it to give it a realistic look. I added a pic or two showing tracing out the bevel and the final product. 

  I pinned in  two temporary batons running along the frames, and across the top , to help gauge level and farness of the hull. Once i level up the frames, I will finish up the interior frame taper and install the clamps.

I had two remove the last pair of frames at the transom, I forgot a detail and there position was wrong. One problem I am having is that this is an old kit, on my shelf for over ten years. the laser cut parts are dry and brittle. I have to be careful and have a fresh tube of superglue ready to go!

I added a pic of a Scow that someone is building on Martha's Vineyard. I was there last weekend with my fiance for a little rest and surf.

[Anja]

Hello J. Haines

 

 

Have a great day.

 

Anja

[trippwj]

Looking good, J.  I am slowly getting to this stage and am taking copious notes!

 

[J Haines]

Hello everyone!

Well, with the days really short and it getting a bit cooler outside its time to get back to it and get the shipyard rolling again.

I finished installing the clamps, this really stiffened up the frame and made it much easier to taper and shape the frames. I did steam bend the clamps, but it did suck in a frame or two during installation, to correct this I will laminate thin strips of wood to the outside frames and shape to the correct height. 

 Using a 5/32 x 3/16 piece of wood to allow the correct height for deck frames, I found that I under cut some of the tops of the ribs, I will correct this by glueing a piece of basswood to the top and sanding to the correct height. Plus it will give it a clean appearance.

Have a good holiday to everyone .

[J Haines]

Hello again

I started laying the front sole. 1st, the beams, then 1/16 x 1/16 for the floor boards. when all are laid, then off to the live well.

[craigb]

Hi J, just got your comments over on my build log so thanks for the kind words.

 

Please keep in mind that my wet well extends one deck beam too far forward to frame #8 instead of #9 so when you do it (correctly) it will look a bit different.

 

I like your cut out box in the front sole too. Very neat. I marked the edges of where the mast step will go and planned to figure it out later, cutting a hole in the sole to suit.

 

You are making very rapid progress! I'm jealous.

 

Happy building

-craig

[J Haines]

I went on a "whim" with the mast step. There is really no detail on the plans I have, I figured the mast would butt up against the false keel and not the sole. I have this week off so I plan on getting a lot done.

every one enjoy your holiday.

[J Haines]

Howdy all...

I completed the front sole and started the live well assembly. So far the front bedlogs were installed. I think my plan of attack will be to build the base of the live well, install the deck beams that support the livewell hatch, and built from the bottom up.

[J Haines]

Hi all...

I gave the front sole a coat of Pollys ghost gray. I made a small miscalculation with the front  bedlogs. they are 1/8" thick, and I used 1/16". This worked out ok, because the 1/16 allowed the new 1/8 to fit flush against the sole, nice clean fit, with extra support. I clamped wide stock to the sole to get the proper height for the bedlogs at frame #14.

A little model gossip... i stopped by my local hobby shop for supplies, They told me Pollys paint is being discontinued. Im a little bummed about this, there paint is great... flat is true flat and there military colors match perfect. I always prefered pollys to Tamiya or Testors. Oh well.

[J Haines]

Happy New Year All.....

 I started building up the livewell, with the bed logs installed, I put on the upper deck beams, and built up to them. Beam @ frame 10 was notched to allow the proper length for the hatches. Trickiest part was  finding the proper angles for the front corner posts. According to the plans the outside of the live well is oiled/stained, I am using Testers bulwark red, with a drop of brown to get that red lead look.

[egkb]

Am loving this build J, I feel there will be an Emma in my future! wonderful lines on this boat, same can be said for virtually all 'period' American sailing vessels, dare I say it 'Mouth Watering Lines'  (there I said it  )

Incidentally I find my self oddly drawn to the 2nd photo down in the above sequence.... the one with the intriguing Jameson Bottle in the background.

Quick question though, how strong are the frames? as they are virtually unsupported and are in effect cantilevers, yet they obviously stand up to being pinned and planked!

 

Keep up the great work.

 

Eamonn

[Dee_Dee]

J,

Your build log and photos provide volumes of information on the ECB.  

I have the ECB on the shelf and looking forward to building this historic boat. 

I will be following your build!

[J Haines]

Eamonn, to answer your question, the frames were really delicate until  I installed the clamps that run from bow to transom. Then it was easier for me to taper the out side of the frames. on the inside, I glued fine grit sand paper to a dremel polishing felt pad and "power sanded" the inside taper. This is my first true plank on frame kit, and that any mistake can easily be corrected... and the Jameson You saw in the back ground REALLY helps with dealing with mistakes.

 

To All those who are watching this build ... thanks! Model Ship World is a wealth of information and inspiration. I have learned so much watching other build logs, many questions answered with out even asking.

[gjdale]

This a lovely little project J. I've become quite enamoured of this little boat, and so have just acquired the plan set to add to my ever growing "one day" scratch build list. They arrived in the mail today

 

I'll certainly be following along with your build from here. Keep up the great work.

[J Haines]

Hello all...

I pretty much got the livewell done,I am leaving the "port" side open for display. I Stained the out side Mahogany brown and weathered with artist oils, and gave a light weathering to the front sole, 

[J Haines]

todays project is to clean my work bench ... looks like a bomb went off...

[egkb]

I can commiserate J, my bench looks like an explosion in a timber (lumber) yard, that weathered 'livewell' looks the business, are you going to give Emm's a 'weathered' look all over?

 

Eamonn