Planking in Kits

[acaron41120]

I have read several places including here that some kit manufacturers include enough planking in their kits to double plank a hull. I have built five kits and all were from Billing Boats. In no kit has there been enough to double plank a hull. If the instructions sheet with the inventory said 50 hull planks I'd get 55 or 56. Which kits have enough planks to double plank a hull?

[ccoyle]

Billing Boats is one of the few kit manufacturers whose kits are intended to be single planked, which, to be fair, is closer to actual ship building practice. Most kits are designed to be double-planked; the first planking's sole purpose is to provide a smooth, solid underlayment for the second planking. So the answer to your question is: almost everyone other than Billing Boats.

[acaron41120]

Thanks Chris. So now I have to decide if I want to do a single planked or double planked hull. All the other billing boats I've made were single planked so I guess I'll continue that way. If I don't like the looks, then I'll buy some extra planks and do a double plank. 

[BobG]

8 hours ago, acaron41120 said:

I have built five kits and all were from Billing Boats.

I'm curious to know which Billings Boats kits you have built and, based on your experience, what you thought about the quality of the kits you have built. Thanks!

[mtaylor]

I built the Wasa many moons ago.  I replaced the hull planking with cherry as the wood was rather brittle.   When I build mine, the carvings and some of the fittings were plastic and I'd assume that hasn't changed.

[acaron41120]

Bob. Sorry for the length.

 

I started the Billing Boats kits in 1977. The kits I built were  (in order of build):

Marie Jeane

Bluenose

Bluenose II

Oseberg

Roar Ege

Santa Maria (just started)

 

Until I found this site I was okay with Billing Boats. I selected them for two reasons the primary was because my first build was while stationed in England and that was the only boats the store in the city carried. The second reason was their rating system for builders (beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate and expert). I have stayed with them because of familiarity. But somewhere between 1980 and now they have made a number of changes. The biggest was their rating system. The Bluenose is a good example. It went from a 1 star (advanced beginner) to a 2 star (intermediate) and their was no change to the boat that I can see. The quality of their kits was okay to me but that was because they were the only kit builder I knew. Since then I have found that their instructions are lacking in places and the plan views are lacking as well. As for wood quality they use a lot of mahogany strips for planking and now have switched to a less brittle wood. Abichi (I think). Since the internet came I have purchased all my kits from eBay. Same Billing Boats kits but found in estate sales and were less expensive than Billing Boats USA where I would have had to order them from. Over all, I think if you took the best parts from all the kits  Billing, Maunta, Artenesia, etc.) you'd end up with a pretty fantastic kit. But even more expensive!

 

Allen

Edited April 27, 2020 by acaron41120

[stuglo]

Single planking on bulkheads is in my opinion , much more difficult. The ability to form smooth and accurate lines demand a substantial base-frames or close bulwarks, or a much thicker plank. Also a second layer of planking gives a second chance to improve without undoing and being short of wood. I applaud those who produce good results from the single planking ships- my efforts require (?excessive) filling and paint to disguise my underachievement.

[BobG]

On 4/27/2020 at 11:23 AM, stuglo said:

Single planking on bulkheads is in my opinion , much more difficult. The ability to form smooth and accurate lines demand a substantial base-frames or close bulwarks, or a much thicker plank. Also a second layer of planking gives a second chance to improve without undoing and being short of wood. I applaud those who produce good results from the single planking ships- my efforts require (?excessive) filling and paint to disguise my underachievement.

You have an impressive collection of completed models, stuglo. It would be great if you would post some photos of those models in the gallery here on MSW. I would also love to see you make a build log of the Victory bow section you are currently building. That's and interesting model and think a lot of forum members would follow your build. Cheers!

Edited May 6, 2020 by BobG