Lowell Grand Banks Dory by bobandlucy - Finished - Model Shipways - Scale 1:24

[bobandlucy]

Hello all. This is my first model boat. Previous model experience was as a boy, plastic cars and one balsa wood plane. I don't think I finished any of them. I think I'm going to finish this one soon. I started on December 28. I did a lot of reading and gathering of tools and supplies as I waited for the model to arrive, and also read every build log on this model that I could find. I made a spreadsheet with a link to each log, and noted the specific tips I thought were pertinent or unique in each, so when I arrived at that particular stage I could identify which log applied without re-reading them all. I think I will do the same when I start the next model.

 

Edited January 31, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

Getting Started

 

Edited January 28, 2021 by bobandlucy

[Ryland Craze]

Nice start on your build.  This is an excellent kit for the first time builder.  I look forward to following your build log.

[bobandlucy]

Now is where I ran into some trouble. The instructions are to overlay the frame pieces on the plan to assemble. However, the plans are not to scale. If I were to do over again, I would have resized the plan before proceeding. What I did was assemble as best I could with the object of maintaining a flat bottom on each frame. It worked, but caused some dimensional inaccuracies and of course made things a little more difficult later on. Sorry for poor photo. . .

 

Edited January 28, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

3 minutes ago, Ryland Craze said:

Nice start on your build.  This is an excellent kit for the first time builder.  I look forward to following your build log.

Thank you Ryland. Yes, I'm very pleased with the kit - as a former specifications writer I know how difficult it can be to convey instructions clearly. They did a pretty good job of it, while keeping the cost (really) reasonable for entry level modelers.

[bobandlucy]

After planking (poor job I know, but I was happy to be able to do at all!). I distorted the intended lines at the bow end, due to my clamping method. I'll try and not do that again. . .

 

[bobandlucy]

Adding the cleats. I had some glue squeeze-out at the intersection of the bottom and the first plank that I wish I'd taken care of on the spot. My attempts to remove the glue scared me somewhat, and I decided to live with it on this model. I did a better job, I think, after that.

 

 

 

[bobandlucy]

Primed the hull with spray can per the designers recommendation. Wish now I'd waited to find a can a lighter shade of gray, but maybe for the best as it forced me to apply several layers of topcoat:

 

[bobandlucy]

Painting hull interior. This operation took me a long time!

 

[bobandlucy]

After painting the hull exterior, added the cap rail.  I was pleasantly surprised by the strengthening of the model by the addition of the bands and gunwales, and after the cap rail was glued on all felt really solid.

 

 

[bobandlucy]

I decided to stain the thwarts. This is where the framing inaccuracies show the most, as the boat is a little wider in the middle that what was intended. But overall I'm very happy with the addition of the red oak stain color. I did not seal them with poly (yet) because afraid I would screw it up. I can't find the wipe-on poly in matte or satin at our local historic hardware store ( wonderful store called Placerville Hardware, I love going there). I might just do the tops of the thwarts at a later time. I put in a couple of the tholes and had to stop because doing that almost made my head explode. . . also, I thought better to get the becketts in prior, in order to not break the tholes. Maybe that's why the instructions are written as they are!

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2021 by bobandlucy

[Keithbrad80]

Very nicely done! This model is perfect for people without prior ship modeling experience and it looks like you are doing a nice job on this one. The addition of stain thwarts looks really great as well. Getting close to the end, any ideas for the next build? 
 

Bradley

[bobandlucy]

10 minutes ago, Keithbrad80 said:

Very nicely done! This model is perfect for people without prior ship modeling experience and it looks like you are doing a nice job on this one. The addition of stain thwarts looks really great as well. Getting close to the end, any ideas for the next build? 
 

Bradley

Thanks, Bradley! I am always in danger of succumbing to perfectionism, which is not realistic in my case. I seem to have overcome this disease!

 

I bought the Norwegian Sailing Pram, that's next.

 

Bob

 

Edited January 28, 2021 by bobandlucy

[druxey]

Nice result for a first wooden boat build, Bob. Every build is a learning process. You'll find the next model will benefit from your experience building this one.

 

Well done!

[bobandlucy]

7 minutes ago, druxey said:

Nice result for a first wooden boat build, Bob. Every build is a learning process. You'll find the next model will benefit from your experience building this one.

 

Well done!

Thanks very much, Druxey! I did get better results than I had rights to expect. I'm so glad I did not build the model I bought first, AL's King of the Mississippi.

 

b

 

[BobG]

Nice job, Bob! I love these little dory boats. Great first model.

[bobandlucy]

11 minutes ago, BobG said:

Nice job, Bob! I love these little dory boats. Great first model.

Thanks, Bob!

[GuntherMT]

Nice job!

Just for future reference, you can add multiple pictures per post so you don't have to break it up so much if you don't want to.

[druxey]

Bob: So many folk buy an elaborate first kit and quickly run onto the rocks. You are smart in beginning small and working up. Even a 'simple' model isn't that simple, as you've found out!

[bobandlucy]

The first model of any kind I actually finished! I really am enjoying this. Roughly a month in construction. Next!

 

[Ryland Craze]

Congratulations on finishing your dory.  You did an excellent job on building this model.  I look forward to seeing your pram build.

[bobandlucy]

Thanks very much, Ryland!

 

b

 

[GuntherMT]

Congrats, and nicely done.  The first of many hopefully!

[Moab]

A beautiful boat!...Moab

[bobandlucy]

9 minutes ago, GuntherMT said:

Congrats, and nicely done.  The first of many hopefully!

Thanks, Brian! I have 2 in the wings. . . 

[bobandlucy]

7 minutes ago, Moab said:

A beautiful boat!...Moab

Thanks Moab. I really feel a sense of elation at the moment! Ain't perfect, but better than I expected.

 

b

 

 

 

[tarbrush]

good job Bob, that came out real nice!

[bobandlucy]

15 minutes ago, tarbrush said:

good job Bob, that came out real nice!

Thanks much, John!

[Keithbrad80]

Very nice work, and congrats on finishing this model!

 

Bradley

[bobandlucy]

1 hour ago, Keithbrad80 said:

Very nice work, and congrats on finishing this model!

 

Bradley

Thank you, Bradley!