Santa Maria 1492 by Katsumoto - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - scale 1:65

[Katsumoto]

***Santa Maria 1492 - Artesania Latina***

 

Hello shipmates,

 

Before we are getting started with my new buildlog, a short introduction of myself and the ship is in order.

I'm a member of this forum for many years, and I live in The Netherlands a small country in Europe. Once we were dominating the world seas by having more ships in the water as a nation then all ships from all countries combined. So ships and shipbuilding runs through the veins so to say. Unfortuately after the big crash of MSW all my photo's and my buildlogs were gone. For a few years I put my hobby asside and concentrated on my family and on my work. 

At this moment I've found some spare hours to work on my hobby, and I would like to share my new buildlog with you guys and gals.
please have a bit patience on my written English, because it's not my native language and so I'll probably make some grammatical mistakes and I appologies upfront... 

 

To the project...

 

 

 

History

The Santa Maria originally named La Gallega, was the largest of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus in his first voyage. Her master and owner was Juan de la Cosa. She was built in Pontevedra, Galicia, in Spain's north-west region. Santa Maria was probably a medium-sized nau (Carrack), about 58ft long on deck, and according to Juan Escalante de Mendoza in 1575, SM was "very little larger than 100 toneladas" (about 100 tons, or tuns). She was the flagship for the expedition aside La Nina and La Pinta, two smaller of the caravel-type ships.

 

Shipwreck

With three masts, Santa María was the slowest of Columbus' vessels but performed well in the Atlantic Ocean crossing. Then on the return trip, on 24 December (1492), not having slept for two days, Columbus decided at 11:00 p.m. to lie down to sleep. The night being calm, the steersman also decided to sleep, leaving only a cabin boy to steer the ship, a practice which the admiral had always strictly forbidden. With the boy at the helm, the currents carried the ship onto a sandbank, running her aground off the present-day site of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. It sank the next day and was lost forever...

 

The build

At first, let's inspect the workplace, which is the kitchen table by the way, and the box...and yes, the box on the left is my toolkit and on the right the ship...

Everything looks neat and tidy at first glance. The box is well organized and the wooden parts and timber are of a good quality as can be expected from AL.

However, the buildmanual turns out to be very dissapointing. A few photo's on one single page and an instruction list is all that's added to the box. The best parts are the two bigger drawings of the rigging and masts which looks very nice doh.

 

 

The Bulkheads and false keel / keelplate

 

I start by numbering all the bulkheads and parts on the plate. They are all lasercut and I use some sandpaper to remove the burn from the laser.
After inspecting a collect all the parts and dry-fit them together to see how good it fits.....it doesn't!

 

 

After some corrections, the bulkheads fits nicely on the false keel. However I noticed a small warp in the keelplate.

I did some further inspection and Yes, it's warped just between bulkhead 12 and 10.

 

This needs to be fixed otherwise I run into some problems later on....I took the keel plate and soaked it in some water. I let it dry between a couple of books with some pressure on the books so the plate was fixed into a flat position. I let it dry for a day and the next day it was straight.

I put everything together again and glued the bulkheads into position. 

 

 

The false deck

 

Next step is to place the false deck on top of the bulkheads. Again, the false keel was pre-fabricated and lasercut.
I use the small brass nails and glue to fixate the plate on to the bulkheads. I have limited tools and clamps at my posession at this moment, so I use the nails.

They will be coverd up later when the final layer of thin wooden strips are placed on top of the false deck.

 

Overhere I use a nail (red circle) to "help" the deck plate a litte bit and guides it into a better position....

After his I placed some blocks to make the bow a bit stronger and sturdier.

 

Now it's time to sand the end of the bulkhead so they are prepared for planking the first layer of the hull. It will be a dual layered or planked hull.
I took my time on this process. If done correctly, the beauty of the lines and shape of hull will shown after the planking process.

It is also the part were I struggle the most and we'll have to see later on if I made some mistakes or not...

 

So, to be continued soon....

 

regards,
Peter

 

[ccoyle]

No worries on the language! The meaning is quite clear, and that is the main thing.

[Katsumoto]

Hi Chris,

 

Thank you for your reaction and kind words. 

 

Peter

[Katsumoto]

Mistakes are made...

 

After installing the first false deck. I measured the centre of the deck and drew a center line with a pencil.

Then the mistake happened. I was looking for the veneer strips for the deck, but couldn't find it. I only had some thicker wood. So i chopped some in little pieces and after a while.....still chopping wood....I've found the veneer strips for the deck....

Then I wondered what I was cutting into little pieces, it turned out to be the strips of wood for the hull......some swearing happend after that....

 

 

So, as Bob Ross liked to say: We don't make mistakes, only happy accidents...

With that in mind, I continued and corrected my mistake and cut the right veneer strips into little pieces...double checked those were the right ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So you guys may noticed that the deck is not caulked right? Well it's not that I forgotten it, but I didn't liked it that much so I descided to lay the deck without caulking it. After finishing the deck, I scraped the wood with a metal woodscraper. So i did not sandt the wood.

 

Further on I corrected the shape of the bulkheads at the bow of the ship. Later on a deck will be installed and that part of the ship runs at a specific angle.

 

 

 

Now convinced the top of the bulkheads are correct, I started with placing some walnut veneer.

 

 

 

 

 

So, after some scraping and cutting I continued on the false bulwarks...

 

 

So, I changed the "running" of the walnut strips by following the line of the deck instead of following the natural curve of the bulwark.

It took some effort, but I think this looks better.

 

 

 

 

Okay, this was it for tonight. Until next update!

 

Peter

 

 

 

Edited October 3, 2018 by Katsumoto

[nikbud]

Nice neat work.

I am pulling up a chair to follow your build.

[James H]

Lovely work so far. Always wanted to see one of these built.

[Katsumoto]

Goodday everybody,

 

A quick update on my buildlog. Thank you for the kind words and showing your interest in this log.

So, I planked the other side (inside) of the bulwark as well.

 

 

So, I use a small block of wood to press against the other side of the strips. With my exacto knife I cut allong the side of the bulwark.

I did the same with the gunports.

 

So, the inside of the bulwark is now planked with veneer strips. Time to place the quarterdeck. First we need the plank the quarterdeck. Again veneer strips is used for the decking.

 

Placing the centerline...

 

Dryfitting it on the ship...

 

Until the next update, keep watching!

 

cheers,

Peter

 

 

 

 

 

[Katsumoto]

Hullplanking first layer...

 

Hello shipmates!

 

Today I'll show you some progress on the first layer of planking the hull. The second layer will be done with veneer strips.
I used the brass nails which were included with the kit. Normally I do not use these nails. However, I'm in a temporary house / home at this moment and most of my tools are in storage including all my clamps. So with only two files, pliers, hammer and a knife and some sandpaper, I'll need to pull this off...

 

And that's it for today,

 

ciao!

Peter

 

[Louie da fly]

Very good progress so far, Peter. Looking good.

 

Steven

[Katsumoto]

Captains cabin...

 

Hi Guys, hereby some pictures of the build of the captains cabin.

 

So, by looking at the original windows at the stern of the ship....I did'n like the shape or size at all. After some time I descided to change them into a more suitable size of the time.

 

At this moment I had an idea. By changing the doorway and adding a window on the other side of the cabin, it's possible to look inside the cabin.

So instead of useing the metal parts of the door, I scratched a new one of wood by cutting out the door and window.

 

So, after this it is time to place some veneer strips to the outside of the cabin.

 

Also the inside of the cabin has to be done...

this was it for this time, until the next one.

 

Ciao,
Pter

 

[Katsumoto]

Where the green line is drawn, the wooden parts should stop by AL. I let them continue (red arrows) because it will be possible to look under the quarterdeck when the model is finished.

Some beams and knees are made next...

Back to the stern of the ship...

 

Until the next update,

 

cheers,
Pter

 

[Katsumoto]

The little details chapter...

 

So, this update is all about the details, big and small. Also it will give the ship some more character.
But first, the keel!

 

....after the keel, back to the stern....

 

Time to place the "false wales". By this I mean, the first layer with veneer. On top of the veneer, the wales will be placed.

I used again a pencil to draw the lines were the wales should be positioned. 

 

I need a 3mm strip and I have only 5mm wide strips. (metric system). So I cut the 5mm with a knife and ruler into a 3mm strip. The 2mm strips was a leftover but I have a purpose for these as well...

 

So, the 2mm strips I use for the detailing, trim of the windows and door.

 

The wood is very thin and brittle, so I use some hot water to make the wood veneer more flexible and easier to bend.

testing and dryfitting the door!

 

I used a brass nail to make the doorknob and hinges...

Scratching is fun to do! 

 

Pter

Edited October 11, 2018 by Katsumoto

[Katsumoto]

Mistakes are made...

Hi guys and Galls, today I started at the front part of the ship and made a mistake. I haven't made up my mind if I correct it or leave it.
The mistake I made is the shiplap planking on the front of the ship. It's upside down...
A novice won't tell, but an expert will see the mistake.....what would you do?

 

 

[Viggen]

Very nice build to follow, I really like the additional details you are making! 

Edited October 12, 2018 by Viggen

[Katsumoto]

42 minutes ago, Viggen said:

Very nice build to follow, I really like the additional details you are making! 

Hi Viggen, welcome aboard!

Thank you for your comment. highly appreciated! 

I try to do my best with minimal tools and maximum of creativity... 

 

These little details can make a big difference in the end....at least, that's what I hope for.

Edited October 12, 2018 by Katsumoto

[Katsumoto]

Hello!

 

Today I would like to show you the following progress on the Santa Maria. I start glueing the wales and the 2nd layer walnut strips on the outside of the bulwarks and a part of the hull.

 

After this, I started to work on the stern windows. I had an idea on my trip to Israel and came up with the following solution....

I used 0,5mm by 1mm strips to make the windows. It took me the whole evening to finish just one window...

So, one down, three to go!

to be continued...

 

Pter

 

 

[Katsumoto]

Hello guys,

 

Today I've finished working on the windows and would like to share with you the result.

I've taken a few shots while I was working on the windows. It will give you some idea how they are done.

 

I've also made some furniture for inside the captains cabin...

 

Tried to make a shot through the door, but I just couldn't get it right....

 

And ofcourse some pictures from the finished windows from the outside of the ship....

 

 

And that's it folks, until the next update...

 

Cheers!

Pter

 

 

[Katsumoto]

wales continue...

 

Hello shipmates,

 

Today I made some progress on the wales. Also some other small things but you'll see that in the following pictures.

Now I finished the wales, I can measure the distance between wale and keel on the bulkheads so I can calculate the width of my planks.

 

On the next pictures the progress of adding the lower wales is shown...

Just some steps of the progress of planking between the wales on the other side of the ship...

Some progress on the stern...nothing fancy just basic construction work...

So, a lot of close-up pictures. Next steps is to finish the stern a little bit and start with the second layer of the hull...The last one will be an exciting one I hope... 

 

regards,

Pter

[nikbud]

Excellent work! 

The windows look particularly impressive, she is going to be a great looking ship.

Well Done, Sir!

[Katsumoto]

Much appreciated Nikbud sir, thank you! 

[Katsumoto]

Thank you Mark for following my journey on the Santa Maria and your kind words.

 

Vriendelijke groeten terug!

pter

 

[Katsumoto]

Calculations, measurements, again calculations and again maesurements...

 

Hello everyone,

 

Today some progress on the quarterdeck, sterncastle and my measurements of the hull so I'll be ready for the planking job!

First the quarterdeck, I've put a "beam" into place...

 

 

 

 

After this I went back to the sterncastle of the ship. I soaked some wood in warm water and used a jig to bend the wood in the desired shape.

 

 

 

I've placed them against the ship (red arrows) with some other items as well. 

 

 

In the next pictures I made an opening so the rudder can be moved from inside the ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some nice views inside the ship...

 

 

 

So, the next part is an important one. I've made all my measurements and done my calculations on how to plank the hull.

I devided the hull into 4 equal parts / sections, which contains 4 planks per section. After checking everything I drawn the lines on the hull.

With this method it should be possible to do the planking job without stealers. Fingers crossed so to say...

 

 

 

 

As a preparation I cut 2x 17 strips of veneer into 12cm long planks. In total 136 plank of 12cm.

These will be my planks that I'll use on the hull.

 

 

 

putting the planks I've cut aside. I needed to finish the bulwark part on the front section of the ship. These planks are placed in an angle because of the weard shape of this section of the bulwark.

 

 

 

 

 

I need to do the other side as well, but that will be for the next update.

Good night!

 

Pter

[Katsumoto]

***Hullplanking part 1***

 

Hi friends,

 

I would like to share my progress so far on the second layer of hullplanking. 

As mentioned in my previous update, these are my preperations before I start with the planking job. 

I've done my measurements, and drawn the lines on the hull.

 

 

 

I have cut all my planks in the same length..

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I repeat the proces until I reach the first line!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, the first part is done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So no stealers were used or were necessary.

Now I need to copy this on the other side to complete the hull. This is for the next update.

until next time, take care!

 

Pter

 

Edited November 9, 2018 by Katsumoto

[dstrosch]

This is really nice work Pter. And that walnut makes your excellent work really stand out.

 

This ship is on my wish list for when I have more experience.

[Katsumoto]

It’s not a very difficult ship to make actually. As a first or second build I even recommend it! Because of the double planked hull you can practise on the first run and correct mistakes on the second run. There is not much rigging, only the basics you need to learn anyway. It is a pretty straight forward build. 

 

thanks for your reply, really appreciate it!

Edited November 9, 2018 by Katsumoto

[dstrosch]

So you think that the instructions, though not good, are good enough for a beginners second boat?

[Katsumoto]

Apparently I have an older kit. There should be a newer one with better instructions. The kit itself is easy to build, so yes! 

Edited November 9, 2018 by Katsumoto

[mtbediz]

Very good job Peter. I tried to build Santa Maria last year as well. You can check if you want. May i ask which method you are using for tapering the strips at the bow? Do you cut or sand them? Thanks.

Edited November 10, 2018 by mtbediz
i made a mistake. Missing word.

[nikbud]

Lovely work, I really like the look of the walnut hull planking.

 

[Katsumoto]

3 hours ago, mtbediz said:

Very good job Peter. I tried to build Santa Maria last year as well. You can check if you want. May i ask which method you are using for tapering the strips at the bow? Do you cut or sand them? Thanks.

Thanks, I cut them with a knife along a steel ruler. Works very well. I didn’t know others like yourself already build the SM, I go and look into your log for sure.