America 1851 by John Ruy - FINISHED - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 1/8“=1’ (1/96 scale)

[John Ruy]

I started this 1/96 scale kit in November 2019. I purchased this kit on eBay, it had already been started and is my first Wood Model Kit. 

[John Ruy]

I discovered why buying someone’s started unfinished kit can be cheap but risky. However, it’s wood and any mistakes can be corrected with lots of filler and sanding. 🤣

[John Ruy]

The repair of this model gave me an appreciation of wood modeling vs working with plastic kits. The stern and transom had not been built correctly and had to be taken apart and rebuilt. 

Edited February 25, 2020 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

Building deck furniture from scratch is a new experience for me. Find build logs like those on this site was very helpful. Instruction are definitely lacking in details. 

[John Ruy]

I have now completed the deck features and ready to start detailing the bowsprit and masts. Next up is preparing sails. 

Edited February 25, 2020 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

Fortunately my wife has a nice sewing machine. This helps detailing out the sails. 

[John Ruy]

Bluejacket does supply metal blocks that are very detailed. However, they are tiny. 
 

Shrouds are completed and it’s on to the rest of the standing rigging. I will keep you all posted on my progress. I have two builds going, this one and the Charles W Morgan. So this one will get placed on the back burner until I need a change from working on the Morgan. Keeps me occupied these winter months. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for taking a look, tips and comments are welcome. 

[John Ruy]

Taking a break from the CW Morgan tonight and turning my attention to Yacht America. Shrouds completed I worked on the Forestay and Bobstay Rigging. 1/96 blocks are seem to be getting a “bit” easier to work with. 😎

Edited February 25, 2020 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

Decided to redo the sails, before placing them on the yacht. Left is the first attempt, right v2.0. Brought some 100% cotton at the fabric store. Bargained for the use of my wife’s new sewing machine. Who says you can’t sew a 1/16th inch seam. 😎
 

Hand sewing the reef points was tedious, to say the least. 

Fabric stiffener for shape and that full sail look. 

Three more sails and we are ready for running rigging.  A whole lot simpler than the Constitution. 

 

Edited February 29, 2020 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

First set of running rigging blocks. 

[John Ruy]

Finished the Main Throat and Peak Halyard rigging tonight. 

[etubino]

On 2/16/2020 at 11:47 PM, John Ruy said:

The repair of this model gave me an appreciation of wood modeling vs working with plastic kits. The stern and transom had not been built correctly and had to be taken apart and rebuilt. 

Ahoy John Ruy! I like a lot the America! I´ve built the Scintific kit, but this one that you are building is an amazing solid hull Kit, very good detail.  The Rudder and the Copper Sheating you've made is excellent! Regards, Eduardo

[John Ruy]

20 minutes ago, etubino said:

Ahoy John Ruy! I like a lot the America! I´ve built the Scintific kit, but this one that you are building is an amazing solid hull Kit, very good detail.  The Rudder and the Copper Sheating you've made is excellent! Regards, Eduardo

Eduardo, 

Thank you for your comments, I had purchased the Scientific kit but opted to resell it. This Bluejacket Kit is of a bit larger scale and was a plank on frame hull that needed rescue. It has been a learning experience for me and is continuing to be good experience for developing my wood modeling skills. 
 

Thanks again,

John

[John Ruy]

She is coming along Main Sheet rigging complete. 

[John Ruy]

Top Sail fitted... Rigging detail was a bit unclear in this kit and was not able to find much detail regarding Halyard and tack. There are so many versions rigging options on this yacht. I’m hoping I got it right...

 

Please chime in if you all see something I missed. 

thanks 😎

 

 

Edited March 6, 2020 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

I knew something did not look right about the topsail. Upon further investigation I saw that I had mis-traced my pattern from the drawing. 

Note the dotted line indicating the length of the top sail hangs past the main sheet. So I recut and sewed a new topsail. 

Much better...

[John Ruy]

FINISHED! I have completed my first plank on frame build. Schooner Yacht “America” from Bluejacket Ship Crafters. 

This overall was a very satisfying kit to build. I would recommend it as a kit to learn and improve your ship building skills. 

Adding the sails and completing the hull including copper was great scratch building experience. Sail cloth was included but very little instruction on sewing sails.  
 

Overall this build gets my 👍. I very much enjoyed the experience. It is also my first completed build log on this forum. 

Edited March 14, 2020 by John Ruy

[MEDDO]

Congrats on your first build.  Looks great I am not sure if I missed it but do you know what you are moving onto next?

[John Ruy]

3 hours ago, MEDDO said:

Congrats on your first build.  Looks great I am not sure if I missed it but do you know what you are moving onto next?

Thanks...  I am currently working on and have a build log for a vintage kit of the Charles W Morgan. That said I am setting up a vintage model kit of a Viking Dragon Warship and will be opening a building log on that one soon.

Edited March 14, 2020 by John Ruy

[GrandpaPhil]

Congratulations!

[Duanelaker]

Well done! 

[MrBlueJacket]

Very nice build. I will put a note in your customer file that you will get a 10% discount on the next kit you buy from us! And if some readers don't know, that is BlueJacket's standing offer when you do and finish a build thread on one of our kits.

 

Nic