tomebe Posted July 29, 2019 #1 Posted July 29, 2019 (edited) Hello All, I ran into this site only a short while ago whilst looking for a boat building project. I've read some of the material offered here for newbies, although I may qualify as an experienced newbie....I'm not sure. I've spent the last 10 years building a model railroad under the rear deck of my home. Its based on a prototype Southern Pacific railroad branch line. Although many of the structures are of the "fine scale miniature" type, some are completely scratch built......on the other hand there no curves to speak of least on my build. I'm an experienced sailor as well having owned a French built 32' sloop on SF bay for a decade or so and served on the Big E for sometime during the Vietnam era. I'm drawn to this because of the challenge and skill build necessary to create a sailing ship model, but I'm not anxious to try anything overwhelming....in fact simpler is better right now. My railroad will be basically completed in a year/ year and a halfs time......and that is my hobby priority. With that said and having looked around I'm thinking to build the little Grand Banks Dory from Bluejacket Ship Crafters. Would this be a good choice? thanks Tom E. Auburn, Ca Edited July 29, 2019 by tomebe Landlubber Mike, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote
ccoyle Posted July 30, 2019 #2 Posted July 30, 2019 Welcome from a California ex-pat (grew up in Humboldt Co., most recently from Mariposa)! I have no experience with that kit, but I suspect with its flat sides and bottom that it would be a good kit to start with. The owner of Bluejacket is a member here -- look for user "MrBlueJacket". BTW, model railroaders often bring an impressive set of weathering skills to the table. Cheers! Keith Black, mtaylor and JeffT 3 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, DS Børøysund
JeffT Posted July 30, 2019 #3 Posted July 30, 2019 Hi Tom. Welcome to MSW. I think thats a goods model to start with. Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Jeff In progress: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Company -1/2" scale USS Constitution - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76 HMS Granado - CAF Model - 1:48 HMS Sphinx - Vanguard
Jim Lad Posted July 30, 2019 #4 Posted July 30, 2019 Hello Tom, and a warm welcome to the forum from across the Pacific. John mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote
Jim J Posted July 30, 2019 #5 Posted July 30, 2019 Welcome Tom. Sounds like a good build to start with. I too have done extensive model railroad work - having built three layouts - 2 for hobby stores. A word of warning, though. Once you start building ship models there's no going back (hahaha). Enjoy! VonHoldinghausen, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote
tomebe Posted July 30, 2019 Author #6 Posted July 30, 2019 Thanks all - I’m going to order the dory......I watched the video of the kit breakdown and it seems pretty straight forward.... I plan on utilizing this site to answer all the questions I’m going to have. Tom mtaylor, Keith Black and VonHoldinghausen 3 Quote
mtaylor Posted July 31, 2019 #7 Posted July 31, 2019 tomebe and Keith Black 2 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
Matt H Posted August 8, 2019 #8 Posted August 8, 2019 Hello and welcome. Keith Black and tomebe 2 Quote Matt Completed Builds: Viking Drakkar - Amati - Scale 1:50 18th Century Longboat - Model Shipways - Scale 1:48
tomebe Posted October 17, 2021 Author #9 Posted October 17, 2021 This is what happens when you grow older. First you forget that you made a purchase of the Bluejacket Grand Banks Dory. You forget cuz other distractions in life occur and that kit sits unintended in a closet until late 2021. Then my wife and I go to New England and we visit Vt, NH, and Maine. The next thing I know we're passing through the town of Searsport ME on RTE 1 on the way to Bar Harbor. My wife is driving and I look to the left and see The Bluejacket store. I get excited and tell my wife that's the Bluejacket store where I ordered my dory 2 years ago. "That's nice sweetie," she answers. We eventually make a u turn and stopped at the Penobscot Marine Museum where there were many dory examples. I took photos. It set my mind to pulling the dory out of the closet and onto the workbench when I return home to California. I've started building and am enjoying it, and although I've made a bunch of mistakes as in breaking a frame or splitting a plank I have through reading others first build experiences here, been able to correct everything so far to my skill level. My material handling skills, what needs to be wetted or steamed is in its infancy, although I did manage to bend 1/8" gunwale's to shape using steam from a large cooking pot. More to come obviously - building a wooden model of the dory is really fun. I just hope I don't blow it up! With frames built off the template the photo shows the start of attaching the frames, cleats, the stern and the bow stem. ccoyle and Keith Black 2 Quote
Keith Black Posted October 17, 2021 #10 Posted October 17, 2021 Tom, welcome to MSW. Ryland Craze and mtaylor 2 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration
mtaylor Posted October 17, 2021 #11 Posted October 17, 2021 Tom, open a build log in the kit area. It's a great way to get help and also to meet other modelers. Keith Black and Ryland Craze 2 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
AlexMN Posted October 17, 2021 #12 Posted October 17, 2021 Hi Tom! I'm building a Dory as well, however I'm doing the Model Shipways Lowell Grand Banks Dory! I am interested to see how your kit differs from that one in looks and the build process! Ryland Craze, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote Alex Current Build: Lowell Grand Banks Dory (first build)
Ryland Craze Posted October 18, 2021 #13 Posted October 18, 2021 Hi Tom. Glad you pulled this kit out of the closet and started this build. It is an excellent kit and should be a fun build. Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat
harlequin Posted October 18, 2021 #14 Posted October 18, 2021 hello from the North of England mtaylor, Keith Black and tomebe 3 Quote
tomebe Posted October 19, 2021 Author #15 Posted October 19, 2021 On 10/17/2021 at 1:16 PM, mtaylor said: Tom, open a build log in the kit area. It's a great way to get help and also to meet other modelers. Thanks - I figured out how to do that and have started a build log. tom mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote
tomebe Posted October 19, 2021 Author #16 Posted October 19, 2021 On 10/17/2021 at 1:57 PM, AlexMN said: Hi Tom! I'm building a Dory as well, however I'm doing the Model Shipways Lowell Grand Banks Dory! I am interested to see how your kit differs from that one in looks and the build process! Hey Alex - I finally sorted out the build log and have started one there. I'll look for your own log as well and follow you there - Tom mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote
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