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Misainier by Gbmodeler - FINISHED - Small French fishing boat of the early 1900's


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This will be a 1/48 scale model of a six meter (20 foot) Misainier fishing boat from the early 1900s.  The Misainier was an important feature of the French Atlantic Coast in the early part of the 20th century.   These little boats were usually 4 to 8 meters long,  single masted, lug rigged, and built by individuals without formal plans.  Hundreds plied the coastal fishing grounds of Brittany until the mid 1900s.

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I wanted to build a small and simple model that could be completed in a short time period, but I also wanted something historically significant and interesting with lots of information available.  The Misainier filled the bill!  The 6-meter boat I have planned will only be 5 inches (127mm) long.

 

Life starts with a basswood keel, stempost and sternpost based on a drawing I found on the internet.  I developed cross-sectional plans for the bulkheads from a different internet find.  Anxious to see if mixing components from completely different sources will work.  Some modification was necessary by widening the bulkheads, without changing their height.  Their location along the keel was altered to fit the angle of the keel in relation to the stem and sternpost...

397468A3-4F8E-4E39-901D-9E15F5D8C5EB.jpeg
 

Bulkhead and transom templates...

ACBE534A-CBDD-47FE-8B1C-2C4BEAB51497.jpeg

Edited by Gbmodeler
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I mentioned earlier that the keel is from a profile drawing of one boat and the bulkheads are from line-plans of a similar boat with a different profile (different angle on the keel, sternpost, and stempost).  This occurred because the profile drawing looked more like the boats in historical photos.  I had to guess-timate how the two elements might go together.  The bulkheads were also stretched in width (with a little computer magic) to maintain the width to length ratio (about 40%) exhibited by these boats.

 

I like to think all this mixing, guessing, and "eye-balling" during the hull construction recalls how most of these boats were built in real life.  I've read that they were generally built by one person, with no plans, but lots of ideas of how things were done in the past...

 

The Misainier is an open boat, so the bulkheads I use to shape the hull are only temporary, and will be removed later.  After checking for fit and how the sheer may look, the bulkheads were glued to the keel with CA glue at one small point.  They were "squared-up" to the keel and each other by "eyeball" as the glue quickly set.  Then, cross-braces were installed down the center of the boat, between the bulkheads (but not to the stempost or transom), with white PA glue. This provides much needed support to the bulkheads, which are just hanging on to the keel at one small point.

1BF19E43-6B80-46F4-8EE1-27D5637942B0.jpeg
 

More braces were installed to give added strength, and ensure everything stayed in alignment...

A53A3483-AE1F-4DB9-9B83-F530951D3C9A.jpeg
 

Once everything was dry and solid, I rubbed wax into the edges of the bulkheads.  When planking begins, I want the planks to be glued to each other, but I don't want them to stick to the bulkheads.  The wax was "melted in" with a quick blast of heat from a hair dryer...

DC7A7A6F-4C5C-4C00-8B0A-3E78A896A3FD.jpeg

Edited by Gbmodeler
To clarify
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Looks like a fascinating project, I just pulled up a chair.

 

Michael

 

 

Current builds  Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8;      Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8;       Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8

Other projects  Pilot Cutter 1:500 ;   Maria, 1:2  Now just a memory    

Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8

Finished projects  A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100  

 

Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.

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Planking started with the garboard and top strakes.  CA (cyanoacrylate) glue is used.  The garboard is shaped and glued to the stempost, sternpost, and all along the keel.  The top strake is only glued to the transom and stem posts, but it is snug against the bulkheads, even though it is not attached to them.


Later, the top plank was tacked (with a little CA) to the bulkhead with the red marks.  This was to keep everything from sliding up and down, as more planks are added.

6C3CB5A1-7762-43F2-B0A7-64F2EB9873C3.jpeg
 


Planking continues from top down, and bottom up.  Planks are glued to each other, but not to the bulkheads (at least not on purpose... a little glue always finds its way to where it is not wanted).  This will take a couple of days...

7A21442C-D157-4C18-A024-D8E8C2455B82.jpeg

Edited by Gbmodeler
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Planking is done....whew.  Planking always takes longer than I expect, and I'm not very good at it.  Thankfully, this little boat needs little planking😃.  I used 1/32-inch basswood sheet cut in 3mm strips and tapered as needed.
 

Combining the modified bulkheads from one set of plans with the keel/stern/stempost of another seems to have worked (better to be lucky, than good).

 

In the photos, you will notice a really long stempost.  That will be cut down when I decide I no longer need a handle on the model...

 

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After sanding.  Sanding was done with the bulkheads still inside.  This provides support from the violence done during sanding...  

E1376A54-0151-41F7-9870-FD3465EE73D5.jpeg

Edited by Gbmodeler
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Removing the bulkheads always raises a little angst.  This is the third open boat I have tried in this manner, and they have all worked well.  Even so, it seems like there could be a high likelihood for damage or total failure when removing the bulkheads.  The CA glue does grab the bulkheads, even with all the wax preparation.  However, a little gentle rocking and twisting, and things have always come out ok.  It's a mystery...

 

I started by cutting the braces on the first bulkhead, removing it with a little twisting and turning, and then moving on to the next in the same manner.

 

Here, the first bulkhead has been removed...

A69F1142-A093-471C-A179-7C3B3732EBB7.jpeg
 

Progress continues.  Notice the indentations on the interior of the planks.  This was caused by applying the planks "wet."  They were soaked in water to make them more pliable during application.  Some of the dents will sand out.  The rest will be covered by "false" frames, which I shall apply later...

A273E23E-1707-4BEA-B499-80479AEFFB24.jpeg
 

Here, a trim piece has been fitted under the upper strake on the outside of the hull...

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The hull is ready for detailing!

37DF440A-00EB-4601-9C4A-670C73387466.jpeg
 

 

Edited by Gbmodeler
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On 2/21/2021 at 2:16 AM, Gbmodeler said:

Planking always takes longer than I expect, and I'm not very good at it

That is quite an underestimation on your part. With a hull merely 5 inches long, ... I mean, planking that takes considerable skill!

Well done GBmodeler!

Happy modelling!

Håkan

__________________________________________

 

Current build: Atlantica by Wintergreen

Previous builds

Kågen by Wintergreen

Regina by Wintergreen

Sea of Galilee boat, first century, sort of...

Billing Boats Wasa

Gallery:

Kågen (Cog, kaeg) by Wintergreen - 1:30Billing Boats Regina - 1:30Billing Boats Dana

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I meant "understatement", but you've seemed to get the point anyway 😉

My sweenglish kicks in from time to time 😁

 

Keep up the nice work!

Happy modelling!

Håkan

__________________________________________

 

Current build: Atlantica by Wintergreen

Previous builds

Kågen by Wintergreen

Regina by Wintergreen

Sea of Galilee boat, first century, sort of...

Billing Boats Wasa

Gallery:

Kågen (Cog, kaeg) by Wintergreen - 1:30Billing Boats Regina - 1:30Billing Boats Dana

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I started adding false frames, but decided to stop. These boats had floors and it seems it would be easier to install frames after the floor is in.  Luckily, a little water softened the PVA glue and I was able to remove the half day's work and start anew...🤨

 

These frames were all removed...DED5C13B-5A10-4C84-8474-E5D9BD415F6F.thumb.jpeg.b5bc624f31b5db731a351995a7f301fe.jpeg

 

 

Next, I decided to provide some visual interest under the floor by leaving some floor planks off, later.  It appears that some or all the floor planks on these boats were removable (especially amidships).  So, the area that would be partly visible needed lower false frames.  I also installed supports for the floor boards. 3548ADEF-F4C6-4622-8649-8A472EE11A01.thumb.jpeg.9de4d8b7e775926e9dbfc25660551fa5.jpeg

 

Edited by Gbmodeler
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The hulls of these boats were tarred, giving them their blackish color.  At this point, it seems necessary to paint the hull black before going any further with construction.  If I wait, painting will be much more difficult because of the other bits and pieces that I plan to add, especially the floor planks.  I fully expect that touch-up painting will be needed later, as constructions progresses, and to fix any spots that get worn by handling.  I applied Testors' flat black lacquer with an airbrush.

2E402BBC-B7FA-4A2C-B126-6B518FF965A5.thumb.jpeg.ca2c8b9d590979b6d0f2e72a3e2c8de8.jpeg

 

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Unusual (to me) but great looking hull...Moab

Completed Builds:

Virginia Armed Sloop...Model Shipways

Ranger...Corel

Louise Steam Launch...Constructo

Hansa Kogge...Dusek

Yankee Hero...BlueJacket

Spray...BlueJacket

26’ Long Boat...Model Shipways

Under Construction:

Emma C. Berry...Model Shipways

 

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I decided to install individual floor planks.  It appears that the floors on these boats were typically divided into three sections:  fore, aft, and midships.   I found the planks in the midship section always placed in the "fore & aft" direction (parallel to the keel).  It looks like the planking in the aft section was either placed "fore & aft" or "athwartships" (perpendicular to the keel).  I choose athwartships because it gives more visual diversity in this tiny boat.  The planking in the fore section always appears to have been set at angles.  Interesting, but challenging to build, as shown here.  


The floor planks are cut from 1/32-inch sheets of basswood.  They are stained with India ink that has been diluted with water and isopropyl alcohol to give a "weathered wood" appearance.  

7FB4E136-37BF-49D0-8ADF-FA022E533654.thumb.jpeg.d930e3d1dc7a1238418eba5130e81a4f.jpeg
 

Although I think the masts were usually stepped and wedged, it appears these boats also had a short scuttle behind the mast to assist in lowering or removing it.  I plan to keep two planks loose for display purposes.  Also, the process of adding false frames has begun.  These are strips of basswood, painted black prior to installation...

FF2E89FB-5269-472B-AB67-DA91FCC33A5D.thumb.jpeg.8e2e8935a52e486981388b08f40d5f0e.jpeg
 

 

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Continuing to build-up the deck details.  It appears all these boats had a rear compartment (cubby), with an access hatch.  I decided to scribe planks on 1/32-inch basswood sheet for the wall and roof of the cubby.  The scribed lines were "enhanced" with a lead pencil for definition prior to staining.  The hatch trim was cut from pear wood veneer.  All the finished pieces were then given a wash of diluted India ink for weathering effects.

3B1C52FE-2B81-460B-92FB-D68471010EF4.thumb.jpeg.f219ecfb7c308d610dffb8a784000ae3.jpeg


At this point, the rail cap was widened with a strip of 1/32-inch basswood to fully cover the tops of the false frames.

818A6738-E4D5-4B00-8976-FF342DBCC64D.thumb.jpeg.c12b8e88332abecc1f79f51fbe743faf.jpeg


 

The short fore deck was made like the cubby.  Here it is before staining.  The scribed lines are enhanced with a highly sharpened #2 lead pencil...

3F5F6ED4-101F-47BA-AB37-FE2BFC8F658F.thumb.jpeg.d83cab372347aa5f4d2dfbb9cf5a9917.jpeg

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Thanks for the update 🙂

It is a nice change from all the big ships around here 😉 

Happy modelling!

Håkan

__________________________________________

 

Current build: Atlantica by Wintergreen

Previous builds

Kågen by Wintergreen

Regina by Wintergreen

Sea of Galilee boat, first century, sort of...

Billing Boats Wasa

Gallery:

Kågen (Cog, kaeg) by Wintergreen - 1:30Billing Boats Regina - 1:30Billing Boats Dana

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What a lovely little boat, and beautifully executed.

 

Michael

Current builds  Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8;      Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8;       Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8

Other projects  Pilot Cutter 1:500 ;   Maria, 1:2  Now just a memory    

Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8

Finished projects  A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100  

 

Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.

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What Michael said. It is like that little extra tasty bonbon in the bowl of candies.

Very nice lit photos and calm background. And that #11 blade really explains the size as well 😮 

Keep it up!

Happy modelling!

Håkan

__________________________________________

 

Current build: Atlantica by Wintergreen

Previous builds

Kågen by Wintergreen

Regina by Wintergreen

Sea of Galilee boat, first century, sort of...

Billing Boats Wasa

Gallery:

Kågen (Cog, kaeg) by Wintergreen - 1:30Billing Boats Regina - 1:30Billing Boats Dana

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Share on other sites

Wow. I step away for a couple of minutes and look at the progress you've made!  That looks absolutely fantastic!  Amazing to think it's only five inches long, the crisp detail makes it look much bigger. I especially like the weathered effect you've achieved on the floorboards, that's a really clever and effective technique.

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Love the details. Looking wonderful! ...Moab

Completed Builds:

Virginia Armed Sloop...Model Shipways

Ranger...Corel

Louise Steam Launch...Constructo

Hansa Kogge...Dusek

Yankee Hero...BlueJacket

Spray...BlueJacket

26’ Long Boat...Model Shipways

Under Construction:

Emma C. Berry...Model Shipways

 

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