The Trawler by MrBlueJacket - FINISHED - Laughing Whale/Midwest Products - scale 7/16" = 1' (1:27.4)

[MrBlueJacket]

So here we go again with an older kit. Let's start with the kit contents. Here's one of the two plan sheets, the rigging package, and the instruction booklet.

 

And here is the other plan sheet, along with the stick wood.

 

[MrBlueJacket]

Completing the kit are some die-cut pieces and some band-sawed pieces.

[MrBlueJacket]

First, let's take a good look at the cast metal pieces. These obviously have lead in them, so they will have to go. Luckily, I know where i can find replacements ;-)

[Nirvana]

This will be interesting, I am waiting for the day when I have a Bluejacket kit in my stash.

[MrBlueJacket]

Here's the bulkhead pieces removed from the die-cut sheets, and then the keel pieces laid on the plans.

[MrBlueJacket]

I took the previous photos on Fri. Saturday I actually started to do some assembly. Here's the keel:

 

And one of the bulkheads. Experience has taught me that when butt gluing edge pieces, it is better to scarf a piece across the joint to strengthen it. Just be sure it won't be in the way of future assembly steps!

[Nirvana]

Are you going to build her as static or RC?

 

[MrBlueJacket]

My customer wants a static model.

[bob porter]

Gee I built  this one along with the Dragger and the Tourist back in the 80s or early 90s. Fun builds

                                                                                                                        Bob Porter

[MrBlueJacket]

So now you can see all the bulkheads and decking in place. First photo is attaching the chine strips, second photo is the topsides, and the raised stern.

[ccoyle]

Kind of off-topic question here, Nic, but now that Midwest has gotten out of the boat kit market, do you know if anyone has designs on acquiring that part of their product line?

[MrBlueJacket]

3 hours ago, ccoyle said:

Kind of off-topic question here, Nic, but now that Midwest has gotten out of the boat kit market, do you know if anyone has designs on acquiring that part of their product line?

 

Actually, I have not heard anything. We actually talked about it but many are similar to our own offerings.

[MrBlueJacket]

Starting to plank the hull - It's easy with the balsa supplied. I will coat the balsa with polyester resin and silkspan.

[downeaster]

On 11/29/2018 at 3:16 PM, MrBlueJacket said:

 

Actually, I have not heard anything. We actually talked about it but many are similar to our own offerings.

Bluejacket is a great, long time company in this great hobby of ship models. Midwest was a company that many of hobby builders got their start. It was sad to see a company in the hobby end. It would be wonderful if there was a chance Bluejacket to pick up the midwest line and keeping it from becoming a part of history in the hobby. Re-releasing midwest older kits like the one in this build log for many that didn't get the chance to build would be great. Just my thoughts for a hobby that we all love.

[MrBlueJacket]

Just for variety, I started the dory that sits on top of the cabin.

 

[MrBlueJacket]

And here's the dory, completed except for the seats, which will be mahogany. They will have to wait until I have painted the shell.

[MrBlueJacket]

Finished the upper belt of planking all a round.

[MrBlueJacket]

Over the weekend I got the rest of the hull planked. Next will be adding the planked bulwarks, then covering the balsa with either polycrylic or polyester resin.

[MrBlueJacket]

So the bulwarks are on, and it is time to strengthen the soft balsa wood. I decided to use MinWax Polycrylic and silkspan. Here a section being applied.

[MrBlueJacket]

Although I tried to get out as many wrinkles as I can, it is not critical. When primed and sanded, the wrinkles will disappear. Any small irregularities will be puttied over.

[vossiewulf]

I used the polycrylic on my LN, and just found it doesn't adhere well to anything- I had to mask off the ship to spray the bulwarks and it came off in many places with the tape, even over bare wood. Hopefully you have better luck.

[Nirvana]

10 hours ago, MrBlueJacket said:

So the bulwarks are on, and it is time to strengthen the soft balsa wood. I decided to use MinWax Polycrylic and silkspan. Here a section being applied.

That's a new way, something to consider for future models. Thanks for the idea.

 

Btw; Nic, huge thanks for the items sent to me.... Superior service!

[MrBlueJacket]

On 12/15/2018 at 1:10 AM, vossiewulf said:

I used the polycrylic on my LN, and just found it doesn't adhere well to anything- I had to mask off the ship to spray the bulwarks and it came off in many places with the tape, even over bare wood. Hopefully you have better luck.

 

I have used it before when fiber-glassing an R/C plane, and didn't have any problems. It seems to be sticking quite well here, too.

[MrBlueJacket]

A coat of primer, then an application of red oxide auto putty, then sand. After that, repeat at least once more.

[MrBlueJacket]

While at a Maine Made show in Bangor, I came across a guy who cuts trees into 1/2 inch slabs for cutting boards. I thought that one of them would make a great baseboard for the trawler. Here it is:

[MrBlueJacket]

Hull sanded down. I always use a sanding block to get a smooth surface. Just using 80 grit for now, but after the next round of primer and putty, will switch to about 150 grit.

[MrBlueJacket]

While doing the sand, primer, putty, sand, etc. I started on the pilothouse.

[MrBlueJacket]

Here is the hull, all primed and the white paint put on the bulwarks.

[Moab]

WOW!!! Looks great ...Moab

[MrBlueJacket]

6 minutes ago, Moab said:

WOW!!! Looks great ...Moab

Thank you! Next is masking off for the green paint on the hull.