Hello from the Sonoran Desert - looking for first ship recommendation

[dsadberry]

Hello all. I'm a 57 year old guy looking to get into wooden ship building. I live in Queen Creek, AZ, which is in the far southwest corner of the Phoenix metropolitan area (not a big ship building town, that Phoenix  ). I have been been all over the internet looking for direction. So I'm very happy that I found this forum! 

 

I've built plastic models cars, planes, and a plastic ship years ago, although I never finished the rigging. I've also built an RC car. But I am definitely a beginner in wooden ship building. That said, I am very interested in learning planking (I have the book, "Planking Techniques for Model Ship Builders" arriving today). I want to build a model with planking, but am unsure which makers or models are right for my first attempt. I currently have the Amati Lady Nelson pending in Age of Sales, but I've read several comments that Amati instructions are very difficult for a beginner. What do you all think? Is the Amati Lady Nelson a good choice for a beginner? What are some other suggestions? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

Dennis Sadberry

Edited January 18, 2021 by dsadberry

[bruce d]

Hello Dennis,

Welcome to MSW, it is a great place to get a bit of help when starting out.

No comment from me on Amati as I have never built one of their products but I am sure someone here will shine some light on the subject. Perhaps you have already searched the build logs and got an impression of how the same problems/issues bedevil both new and experienced builders, so don't be shy about asking for help.

Can we look forward to a build log?

 

Regards,

Bruce

[ccoyle]

Welcome, Dennis. The Amati Lady Nelson is a perfectly acceptable first model, as it has the "three nots" needed for beginners, i.e. not a lot of planking, not a lot of guns, and not a lot of rigging. The instructions should be pretty decent, and the designer -- Chris Watton -- is a member here. Also, there are a lot of finished cutter build logs and gallery entries for inspiration and tips.

 

Cheers!

[Ryland Craze]

Hi Dennis and welcome to Model Ship World.  The Lady Nelson looks like a nice model for your first build.  There are a lot of videos on YouTube that show this model being built. I do hope you start a build log for whatever model you should choose.

[Jim Lad]

Hello Dennis, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[Shotlocker]

Welcome, Dennis, you've found the best model ship-building site on the net; there's a huge amount of information here to help you out.

I know the Sonoran desert well having lived for years in Tucson and Yuma. Enjoy the great winter temps!

 

Gary

[mtaylor]

[dsadberry]

Thank you all for your suggestions and well wishes. I am excited to start building the LN and I will start a build log. It's a great community you all have here and I'm proud to be part of it.

[MichaelW]

Hi!  I've recently started building ship models.  I've started with the "Ensign" level of kits from BlueJacket Ship Crafters of Maine.  I've included a link to their website below. I've built the Red Baron lobster boat and I'm now working on the Yankee Hero.  The kits are very complete with detailed instructions, paint, sand paper, and you can even purchase a kit with some tools you'll need to get started.  Plus Nic (the owner) and his crew are super helpful.  Good luck.

 

http://www.bluejacketinc.com/

[JeffT]

Welcome to MSW 

[GuntherMT]

Welcome aboard!  There are a few of us ship-builders scattered around the Phoenix area, but no regularly meeting group/club other than one in Sun City that meets during the workday making it impossible for anyone who isn't retired to attend.

I live on the opposite corner of the city as you, out in Buckeye, but I know we have a couple MSW members in the SE valley area much closer than you.

[Baker]

[dsadberry]

19 minutes ago, GuntherMT said:

Welcome aboard!  There are a few of us ship-builders scattered around the Phoenix area, but no regularly meeting group/club other than one in Sun City that meets during the workday making it impossible for anyone who isn't retired to attend.

I live on the opposite corner of the city as you, out in Buckeye, but I know we have a couple MSW members in the SE valley area much closer than you.

Hi Brian, 

Good to know that there are some guys out here on the east side. Hopefully I'll get to meet up with them. Since you're in the valley, do you know any hobby stores that carry wooden ships?

[GuntherMT]

42 minutes ago, dsadberry said:

Hi Brian, 

Good to know that there are some guys out here on the east side. Hopefully I'll get to meet up with them. Since you're in the valley, do you know any hobby stores that carry wooden ships?

 

Hobby Bench (both locations in the NW Valley far from you unfortunately) used to carry a pretty decent selection, but only the major Europe companies like AL & Constructo, maybe a few Billings (US Company).  No idea what they stock these days I haven't been in one of their stores for at least 5 years now.  

Unfortunately these days it's better to do your shopping for this hobby online, where you have access to products from newer companies like Syren, Vanguard, Dusek, Master Korabell, CAF and Maristella.

 

Might be worth a visit if you are up in that area, just to be able to look at them in person.

[Louie da fly]

Hi and welcome to MSW, Dennis.

 

Good to see you're planning to start a build log for your model. In case you haven't already come across them, the instructions for doing so are here:

 

 

Good to have you aboard.

 

Steven