Dos Amigos by Bill Jackson - OcCre

[Bill Jackson]

In May 2020 I started the Dos Amigos slave ship by OcCre kit No.13003. Since this build is only my second build, and since I am a former technical writer, I paid close attention to the instructions.

I will be playing catch up for awhile since the build has been in progress since May.

[Bill Jackson]

Following the instructions I attached the deck and the decking. The instruction gave me no problems, and I used what I learned from my first build to age the decking. You will notice the red color on the deck simulates blood. Since this was a "slave ship" bloody decks were typical during transit.

.

[Bill Jackson]

Next I installed the hull planking to the hull. The Dos Amigos is a double planked kit. Following the instructions, I installed each piece with no problems. The wood was soft and easy to bend. No plank bending iron was required.

You will notice that I continued the hull frame lines overtop of the planking all the way down to the false keel.

 

 

 

 

[ccoyle]

So pleased to see someone else using "push pin clamps" -- I use them, too!

[Bill Jackson]

So next I deviated from the instructions a bit. The instructions wanted me to do the bulwark, deck and transon with Sapelli wood. But instead I decided to install the keel and delay the transom and bulwark lining.. I did this because it would both allow me to mount the ship on my rotating stand, and give me a good guide for the last few planks close to the keel.

Gee I almost sound like I know what I'm doing. Hahaha

[Bill Jackson]

Hi all,

I would like to first address the use of "Push Pins". I sure them on my first galleon and they serves me well. But with this model, the wood is so soft that when I used them for the hull planking (1st layer) the pins caused indents on the wood. I remedied this by using planks over top of the planks being held. Refer to first pic below.

Now I return to the instructions and begin planking the inside bulwarks, stern transom, and stanchions with the sapelli color lining.

[Bill Jackson]

Next step I installed the hull lining. See figure 1. They start with photo No. 20 showing part No. 25 (bulwarks and stern transon lining) and part No. 28 which in the instructions is listed as ("hull lining"). This is the first error in the instructions. What is called out as Part No. 28 in the photo booklet is pointing to part No. 29 the "Top rubbing strakes". Now this next step is where I found another error in the instructions. Step 25-28 instructs me to to install the three "rubbing strakes", which is identified as part No. 31 in the photo booklet but on the parts listing it is identified as part No. 32. Oops! These are very confusing errors right up to photo step No. 26.

THIS COULD GET REALLY CONFUSING.

[Bill Jackson]

Next I glued the deck stringers to the deck and cut and glued the stanchions to the bulwarks.

Next I lined the outside of the bulwarks and reopened the drain holes in the bulwarks.

Lastly I stained the bulwarks.

[Bill Jackson]

Don't give up on me guys, Im still working just not posting. I will continie posting next week.

Bill

[Bill Jackson]

Ok guys, I have found so many things wrong with the instructions and the way they are laidout, parts missing, and also really fuzzy rope, that I will stop this log. I do not want to bad-mouth the kit manufacture, but I will say I am not happy with this kit. I will, however continue the build. I think its an important part of history. Since the kit did not come with the baracado wall and the side netting that surounded the slave ships to prevent the captured people from jumping overboard, I will add these features to my ship.

Thanks for listening and everyone please stay safe out there.

[VTHokiEE]

24 minutes ago, Bill Jackson said:

I have found so many things wrong with the instructions and the way they are laidout, parts missing, and also really fuzzy rope, that I will stop this log. I do not want to bad-mouth the kit manufacture, but I will say I am not happy with this kit. I will, however continue the build

That’s really quite unfortunate about the kit. Stop if you must, but I feel like given what you have found (and that you plan on finishing the build) your log could be very useful to someone in the future trying to build the same kit. Either way, good luck with the rest of the build!

[RichardG]

Bill, my like of your post was that you're persevering with the build, not that I'm happy with the problems with the kit. 

 

[Bill Jackson]

I am continuing the build guys. Thank you for your support and kind words.