Coca by Clark Griswold - Amati - 1:60 - first wooden ship model

[Clark Griswold]

For my first true ship build I have chosen the Coca by Amati.  While I like the design, I have also chosen it as a stepping stone into more complicated, multi-masted ships of greater interest to me.  I accept I am bound to make errors and look forward to recovering from them.  I plan to note areas I diverged from Amati's prescribed directions and my rationale.

 

I'll apologize in advance to those expecting DSLR photos... most will be iPhone photos, at least during the messy phase since my wife is not overly enthused by the side of it venturing into the garage.

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Upon initial inspection, the kit is complete and well organized. The provided keel, bulkheads, false deck and bulwark are laser-cut MDF and plywood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steps 1-5ish Assembling the framework.  

Test fit, no glue (disregard frame six mislabeled as nine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the test fitting I identified a few bulkheads needing shims to keep the deck flush.  Note I sign and date every ship or boat with the date the keel was "laid". 

 

 

[Clark Griswold]

Steps 1-5ish continued...

 

After glueing the keel(s) and bulkheads I boxed/filled in the mast step which I will drill out with my drill press once the glue has had a chance to fully cure (I imagine a week or two should be sufficient enough so as not to foul my bit).  I'm sure once the rigging is set the mast will be quite secure but I chose to err on the conservative side. The visibly wet glue is a thin layer, there is wood just beneath it.

 

 

 

 

I have chosen to fill in the fore and aft bulkheads with basswood to assist in setting the proper shape.  In doing so I have made a regrettable, but recoverable error by not minding the deck line.  I have remedied the aft mistake, the forward one may require trimming the false deck back to frame 6.  Lesson learned.

 

 

 

 

 

Once the glue has cured and I figure out whether I'm trimming the deck or angering out space for it at the bow I will pin it in place while fairing the bulkheads.  I will also need to come to a decision on whether or not to install the cross bars now, as directed, or after the first planking as other builders have suggested.

 

 

[James H]

I built the Amati Santa Maria about 20yrs ago, being roughly the same shape. Loved that kit, and found the planking quite easy. You'll probably find thee same with Coca. 

 

Nice start and lovely photos too.

[Clark Griswold]

Did some work remedying my mistake at the bow, drilled out my mast hole, and started fairing the bulkheads and filler plugs.  After sleeping on it for a few nights I realized I did not want to trim the foremost portion of the false deck since it will help inform the curvature of the filler blocks.  

 

It isn't exactly pretty, but I managed to clear out enough room to install false deck correctly.  I'm torn whether or not to hog out the remainder of the filler visible in the keyhole.  I may cover it with darkly a stained sheet of scrap so that it disappears from view.  Looking at other medieval cogs/naves it appears they have this area blocked off anyhow. 

 

 

As part of trying to get the bow fixed I figured out how to get the false deck in .  It doesn't specify how to go about it in the instructions so I thought I'd share for future builders.  There is a great deal more flex available than I initially realized with the plywood used.  Its up for debate whether Amati should have instructed frame 14 and parts affixed to it be installed after step 6 (installing false deck).  

 

After triple checking the every axis was square, I drilled out the hole for the mast I had previously plugged.  The mast provided in the kit is slightly larger than the 3/8" bit I used.  When the time comes I will gently reduce the diameter of the mast to ensure a snug fit.  As a side note, the Panavise Jr jaws fit perfectly between the bulkheads and has saved me from feeling the need to purchase a planking vise... yet.

 

[Louie da fly]

Making slow but steady progress. Seems to be going well so far, and you're overcoming obstacles as you come to them.

 

What kind of glue are you using?

[Jean-Pierre]

I do love the ship you are building here.  I personally built decades ago this very ship from a plastic kit by Imai (an easy build by the way).  A question: did you make some inquiries about the original model?  I f you want some information or pictures of it I will glad publish them here. By the way, I went to Rotterdam a month ago and made some picture of the "original", of which I enclose a pic.

 

This model is in my opinion one if not the most important historic ship model, as with the exception of a few Egyptian antiquities, it is is the oldest REAL scale model, and the only 15th century period model.  It has always been THE source of inspiration for the best Santa Maria models, among others.  It is to be noted that many authors suspect that the model's proportions are  not correct (too short in length) and it seemed to have at the origin have been fitted with 3 masts, then the foremast was removed, and finally it was left with just one mast.

 

I wish you a lot of fun with this build.

 

JP

[Clark Griswold]

Thank you for the kind words.  

 

Louie, I am using TiteBond II as my dispensed from a needle top bottle as my primary adhesive.  I also have contact adhesive, CA, and TiteBond III as the situation dictates.  The needle top bottle has been a boon for clean and conservative application.  I don't recall whose tip it was for the bottle, but I read it here on MSW.  

 

Jean-Pierre, I knew very little of this ship when I purchased it.  I have only begun to learn more about this votive model and the ships that inspired it.  I find reading and researching throughout the build makes each model more than a mere distraction and future mantelpiece.  In casually researching medieval Catalan and Portuguese naves, nao, and cogs it has been difficult at times to discern where fact ends and artistic license begins.  If anything, the detail in the picture you've shared has brought forth new thoughts on the integrated fenders (including two towards the bow).  Are the visible fasteners evidence of how the model was assembled, or embellishments, or representative of the full-size construction?  Any additional info and particularly images you have would be welcomed and appreciated.

 

I imagine my final product will lie somewhere between the original, what Amati has prescribed, and what the real thing may have looked like in service if such a single masted vessel existed.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

 

So I think the best way to go is to stick with the model, which is quite well detailed by the way.

Of course quite a few repairs were made during its life: mast and sails probably were not as per the original. Also the catheads were moved around, with the result that the starboard one is probably in the wrong place.  Also, the model does apparently not include any rudder hinges.  The much damaged hull surface does show traces of red paint, and watch the rear where there was a painting, probably some religious theme.

Spoiler

 

 

[Clark Griswold]

Managed to make some progress the past couple weeks despite the office's and admiral's greatest efforts to swallow my free time.  Its looking like I'll have the whole weekend to work.  If all goes to plan my next update will be in a few days.

 

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Clamps and bands... bands and clamps... certainly becoming a recurring theme in my shop.  I realized the importance of pre-shaping and forming before trying to attach the bulwarks, particularly the upper bow pieces that have a compound curve to them.  I have my doubts about how well I faired the bow (possibly too rounded/blunt), but I think necessary corrections will become more evident as the build progresses.

 

 

Aside from discovering a few of my cuts were slightly less than square after I had already laid them it was pretty straightforward.  Figuring out what stain to use was a different matter.  I initially wanted to something with some grey to it.  I found a "Special Walnut" to initially seemed appealing until I made a test grid of planking strips.  I wasn't too happy with it and went for some oak waterbed stain instead.  The picture makes the color and splotching appear a bit harsher than it is.  Although it is a touch lighter and brighter than I initially intended, it is growing on me.

 

 

[Clark Griswold]

New days, new mistakes and an ever growing mess of wood bits and tools on the bench.  

 

Since my last update I've managed to complete the upper decking and attach the bulwark rails.  In the process I've realized trying to recreate the staining outcome two weeks later is easier said than done as as such I can't quite get the decks to match shades.  I'm telling myself the real thing wouldn't match exactly either.  During my efforts, I managed to split the decking along the seam of the false deck while sanding a tad vigorously.  To restore a bit of rigidity I took a walnut planking strip and formed it to line the indented edge of the upper deck.  Although not pictured clearly here, I faced the ribs with walnut and used some mahogany from a past build to add waterways to clean it up a bit.  The latter I really liked the look of in Rodolfo's Coca build.

 

 

 

I didn't realize just far my forward bulwarks bowed in until I attached this piece.  The challenge is how thin it makes the lip in places.  I will likely cut more from the ply sheet to even it out at more reasonable width that also hides the ribs better. 

 

 

While waiting for the glue to dry I moved on to the forecastle.  I've been trying to figure out how to hide my earlier misstep with the bow filler blocks and Rodolfo had the perfect solution (the alternating slats Amati calls for make zero sense in my mind anyhow).  I played around with a few different approaches to accomplish it.  Rubber bands and clamps weren't going to be of much used here and I wasted more strip than I'd like to admit trying to get it right before I settled on building it as a separate assembly.  By using a scrap piece of ply from the shop of the same thickness as used elsewhere in the kit, I created a false deck/template and was able to get everything lined up and properly cut (the slot is narrower than it needs to be so that I may file it to fit the bowsprit as close as possible.  The trim was done in the same fashion as I will do the ladder hatches on the aft decks.  

 

 

 

 

I'm torn on whether or not to add a filler strip here to fill the gap or sand down further.  I leaning towards the former since I would likely need to shave the same amount from the bowsprit later on if I sanded it level.  I'll think on it until I get to the clinker planking here.

 

 

Did I mention I really, really need to clean my bench? 

[Rodolfo Bigoni]

Well done, Amos: I like the idea to use a strip formed to line the indented edge of the upper deck. 

Rodolfo

[Clark Griswold]

Minor update...

I've commenced planking the forecastle and settled upon using the scalloped clinker style found on the nao of Mataro.  Although the scallop is less obvious than the original I think it achieves what I was striving for.  Now that the Thanksgiving weekend chore of decorating for Christmas is complete I should be able to forge ahead to complete second planking of the bulwarks this weekend.

 

One particular challenge was keeping the .5mm strips from curling from the Titebond.  Rubber bands and scrap to the rescue!

 

Bands removed and lower edges trimmed flush.  The top will be need to be trimmed further so that the previously completed deck may be attached.  I was quite glad I had yet to affix it per the instructions.

[J11]

Looking great!

[Louie da fly]

It's been a while since I visited this log. You've made very good progress. And you've dealt with the inevitable mistakes and other issues as you've gone along in a very workmanlike way - and not let them stop you. Every model is a learning process, and I think you're learning a lot of lessons in this build - often the hard way! 

 

I'm not sure whether you were uncertain of the likelihood of single-masted vessels of this type when you wrote 

On 10/12/2020 at 4:56 PM, Clark Griswold said:

what the real thing may have looked like in service if such a single masted vessel existed.

or whether it just reads that way. But they are certainly represented in contemporary pictures - just as often as multi-masted ones - see https://www.pinterest.com.au/lowe1847/proto-carracks/

 

And for more contemporary representations of true carracks of this period (i.e. with more than one mast), see https://www.pinterest.com.au/lowe1847/carracks/

 

Looking good.

 

Steven

 

[Clark Griswold]

Finished up the bow until later in the build when the details are fitted.  In the process I realized I trimmed one of the clinker slats shy of the keel so I had to mend an extension on.  It isn't the cleanest so I may sand it down and apply a thinned down piece as a veneer when I need a distraction while final planking.

 

 

First planking is complete and now I'm working to fair out the lands and valleys.  In hindsight, I would have thinned it down ever so slightly to permit more of a skim coat and added some pigment to make it easier to see.  Once the sanding dust starts flying, it requires frequent wipes to see progress since the filler material kicks up a much finer texture and matches the basswood.   It's pretty sloppy here, but it did clean up well (I thought I took a pic of it with the keel seat cut & cleared).  There was one spot that I ended up having to add some basswood scraps to level out but everything else is pretty close.  After a few more rounds of sanding I should have it so nearly all of the filler is removed, particularly in the tighter radiuses at the bow and stern.

 

 

 

[Clark Griswold]

My wife bought me a draw plate (MicroMark since the Byrnes one wasn't available when she was looking to buy it) for the holidays and I found reason to use it today.  I could have just used toothpicks but I set out to pick up new skills and techniques with this build, so why not?  It worked out fairly well; I will do the same for the rest of the rail posts.

 

 

Edited January 8, 2021 by Clark Griswold

[Louie da fly]

Looking good. Regarding the problem with the over-short plank at the bow, you might consider removing it and making a new one. If you're using PVA  (white) glue, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol) will dissolve it. And it's probably better to do it early rather than later, when it might get in the way of other things.

 

Those pegs for the rails look good, but they can break if you accidentally brush against the railing (don't ask me how I know). Metal pins might be better, but if the wooden ones are thick enough you might be ok.

 

Steven

[Clark Griswold]

Finished second planking!  I still have some sanding/scraping to do, but the big hurdle before rigging is complete.  The pictures definitely make it look rougher than it is.  The gaps around the lower beams are aggravating as heck and certainly didn't seem as noticeable at the time. 

 

 

 

Hindsight is 20/20... I wish I would have did a test fit of the keel before starting the second planking to ensure the profile was as it should be.  Luckily I didn't pitch the MDF pieces the keel was cut from yet so I cut a filler from the same spot to bring it out to look right.

 

[Louie da fly]

That's actually looking pretty good, Amos.

 

Just remember - sandpaper and woodfiller (best made from your own sawdust - or better still sandings - they're finer particles - and dilute PVA (white) glue - that way it should be easier to match the wood colour) are your friends. 

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Steven

[Clark Griswold]

Decided to make hawses using some brass tube I had in the bin from other projects.  I used a brake line flaring tool to get the necessary flare and a reamer to get them nearly flush.  I tried some liver of sulphur to blacken them... it didn't work.  I suspect I didn't clean them well enough, but what is done is done for now (I'll have to practice using more before I use it on the rudder and bow decoration).  Once I figure out what the patina looks like on the aforementioned pieces I will paint as close as possible to match.  If the wales didn't overlap I'd hold off and get it right but I'd like to keep some momentum.

 

I've also started a little side project of turning the supplied basket into something more representative.  In the process the inevitable blood sacrifice finally happened... its not a building project of mine without one.  Note to self: keep track of when you're cutting with the grain.  Plenty of work to go still.

 

[Louie da fly]

But did you get blood on the model? It doesn't count otherwise . . .

[colpatben]

On 2/2/2021 at 4:56 AM, Clark Griswold said:

  Note to self: keep track of when you're cutting with the grain.  Plenty of work to go still.

 

 

 

Oops!

 

 

Colin

[Rodolfo Bigoni]

Hi Amos, 

I think you've had a very good idea about the top. I'll copy it!

Rodolfo

[Clark Griswold]

Thanks Rodolfo, I'm happy with how it turned out.

 

Here's the finished "basket".  I decided to trim the MDF top and bottom pieces with spare wood strip rather than leaving it exposed.  After cutting myself using a hobby knife I used a Dremel to hog out between the holes and then followed with some files to clean it up.  The MDF forms seemed disproportionally thick so I sanded them down once I had the trim affixed.

 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Clark Griswold
Clarification

[Louie da fly]

That's turned out very well, Amos.

 

I built my tops up piece by piece - VERY difficult to get right, and not totally happy with the result. Yours are very nice indeed.

 

Were those wooden "rings" part of the kit or did you make them yourself?

 

Steven

Edited February 11, 2021 by Louie da fly

[Clark Griswold]

Thank you Steven, I made the rings myself... fun times with the bending iron 😁.  The more I use it the more I understand how to get what I want from it.

 

 

[Louie da fly]

You did a good job. I struggled to get mine to (a) be circular and (b) stay circular. Maybe I should have used a bending iron - I just progressively and gently "kinked" mine with a pair of pliers till they were roughly circular. Probably should have taken more time and care.

 

Steven

[GrandpaPhil]

The model is looking good!

 

Sorry about the thumb, it happens to all of us at some point or another.

[Clark Griswold]

Wow, it has been awhile since I've updated this log.  I took the summer off for my other hobbies but I'm back again.   I've picked some of this highlights of my build since my last post...

 

 I decided to have a little bit of fun and embellished the forward-most bow post

 

 

Interior pictures showing my revised anchor braces and ladder orientations from the Amati plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2021 by Clark Griswold
content organization

[Clark Griswold]

The real reason I chose this model was upon me... learning how to do rigging.  It wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but it certainly had a learning curve.  I'm still not convinced I achieved taut enough lines, but passable for a first effort.  I used clear nail polish to help set the knots.

 

 

 

 

Here is where I'm at as of this evening.  All that remains is the mast ladder and sail.  I find it odd Amati included the sail material but neglected any directions or mention of attaching it (same for the ladder).  Is the ladder 100% composed of line or does it have boards for the rungs?