Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack by bobandlucy - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:24

[SkiBee]

Paint will cover all fills. Looks really great

[bobandlucy]

Druxey, Will & Skibee- Thanks for the encouragement.

 

I began filling and sanding. Most of the defects are edge to edge, I was lucky to not have any apparent depressions between the frames. On the theory that I am not seeing everything, I applied filler all over, then sanded down. I experimented with two different fillers. The Minwax discolors the wood and is very grainy, but sands down OK. The Model Lite stuff is strange indeed, really fluffy stuff that sands to a very smooth finish, but it is too easy to over-sand thus removing the fill. I added a little water to both types to make them more workable. Pics are of one side "finished," and the other side just begun towards the bow. The finished side is smoother than it appears. . .

 

[bobandlucy]

Added the toe rails and one rub rail. Instructions call for the rub rails to be 1/4" below the top of the toe rail, until aft of the deck house (cabin?), where it should rise gradually ending 1/16" below the top of the transom. I glued the piece on to the point where the rise would begin, then holding it to a mark at  the transom, made marks every inch or so, then continued gluing incrementally. There is a slight rise to the hull near the center of the boat, or a slight dip in the rub rail, or both- which is now apparent, but overall I am happy with results.

 

 

Edited June 2, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

I was feeling pretty good, sanding, filling, sanding filling. . . when I realized that what I thought was a white deck in the instruction manual was actually unfinished wood.  Had some warping of the deck which required filling, and I did a pretty good job in restoring the slight curve to the surface. Now I think I have no choice but to go with painting. I had seen that some others stained the deck, but I wanted to keep to the scheme presented. I realized I had gone wrong when I read  the instructions to pre-paint the coaming (not for the first time) to avoid awkward masking. Thought "why pre-paint as it's all white?" Duh!

 

 

I tried to shape the coaming. It looks really rough. I may try again if I can find a piece of scrap. Some days I should just stay out of the room. . .

 

[niwotwill]

It doesn't look rough but if you wish making another is not too hard. Before giving it up try to dry fit the coaming. It sit fairly low below the deck and you might be surprised. If Basswood is a problem many craft stores sell good quality wood.

 

 

[SkiBee]

My coaming look just like yours, but I glued it in and used a little filler to smooth it out an it looks good now.

[bobandlucy]

Glued in the coaming and cabin sides. I did not pre-paint them as I will be priming and painting the deck due to all the fill used. I'm thinking some light buff or cream paint that might resemble wood, if I can find it. Any ideas?

 

First pic shows a difference between the prototype and this model. The operating rod for the centerboard is shown in the kit manual as resting in the down position all the way to the end of the slot towards the stern, so that it rests between the two wet well covers. In my opinion, this would be the most attractive position for display. As you can see, in my model the rod movement is stopped by the bulkhead below the deck. I guess this is my error, I should have notched the bulkhead earlier on. It will be tricky to correct now, but I may give it a shot. . .

 

 

Edited June 11, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

Painting. Came out pretty good, I think. Was a bit puzzled when drawing the waterline, as position on the stand changed the line position. I decided that the line should marry with the bottom line of the transom.

 

 

 

Edited June 18, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

Painted the toe rails and mounted on the stand. There are a couple of areas where the paint lines are not as crisp as I'd like. I touched them up as best I could and decided that additional work might cause a worse outcome. One area I may try to touch up more is the intersection of the cabin bulkhead and deck. This area and the toe rails near the cabin walls were hard to mask. 

 

Yes, there is a lot of white! I may paint the oar lock pads mahogany to add additional contrast, but I think with the addition of the tiller and the mast/rigging all will be OK. 

 

Edited June 20, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

I neglected to mention in the last post- that the cabin roof was glued in off-center so the overhang was not visually pleasing. I cut/sanded the overhang off flush with the wall below, and glued on a "bumper" rail all around using the same material as for the rub rail. I think it looks OK.

 

I installed the rudder. tiller, traveler and block, the centerboard operator rod handpiece, and the trail boards. The tiller was challenging- my first attempt with epoxy failed to set, so I reached into the void with gel CA glue on a toothpick and that worked. The block is hardwood, and was hard to shape. I'd recommend sanding rather than cutting as I broke it, but was able to glue back together. 

 

 

 

 

 

[bobandlucy]

I began shaping the mast. I finally came to an understanding of the process (I'm slow)! I did not follow all steps on the Sailing Pram, and my spars were not as round. For the first time, I braved the block plane. This speeded up things considerably. I cannot stress enough the need to measure and line both the four square and the eight square out. It takes some time. Four square:

 

 

Did not take picture of the eight square, but here is the round. I did not worry much about the length buried below deck as it fit in the hole in the deck as it was and did not want to make the fit too loose:

 

 

For those that follow, I want to note that there are three provided holes near the top of the mast, to install eye-rings for attachment to blocks. I studied this for a long time. There should have been four holes, the additional one (or two) at the top, for the sheave/topping lift line. It would have been easier to drill this hole prior to rounding the mast, but I was able to do so (by drilling an undersized hole and enlarging with broach) - in the end I am very pleased with the methods and instruction, and am confident that I could reproduce the same or better results again.

 

From the manual:

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

I shaped the remaining 7 blocks, and installed four of them. Pic of the top of the mast (the mast has a visible line where the halves join, but I did not wish to sand more, as the shape was true. I imagine that in real construction, the builders would have done the same?):

 

 

 

 

[druxey]

Moody Blues, eh? 

 

The mast looks good, and the blocks nice and neatly stropped as well as shaped.

[bobandlucy]

Thanks so much, druxey! Yeah, I'm a Moodies fan, and a bad photographer. Needed something to block the reflection from the screen. I have learned so much from assembling this model! I was happy with the results on the pram, but this kit has really challenged and increased my skills. The end is in sight, and I am resisting the urge to rush. . .  On to the boom and gaff, sail-making and rigging! I'm sure I need more cool tools. . .

 

b

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

Just as I did on the Pram, I broke the gaff at the central eye, during shaping and again while lacing the sail. The repair looks a little better this time. Somehow, my measurement was off and I ended up with 7 mast hoops instead of 6, and had to add a hoop while tying to the sail, but I don't have a problem with that. It looks OK to me.

 

Next is the jib sail, rope coils, and a little touch-up paint. . . a day or two and one more post, and I'll call it done! Happy 4th of July to all!

 

Bob

 

 

 

[bobandlucy]

Calling this model done! 13 weeks +/-, not that it matters. . .

 

I like doing the rigging. One really has to watch position of body parts. . . it's like playing a musical instrument, total concentration.

 

Oddly, although the instructions call for brown 0.7 mm rope for the standing rigging, it is not included (same for beige 0.3 mm.) I bought these online advertised as being intended for this purpose. It is good looking but really stiff. I boiled in water to try and remove wax, but no improvement.

 

I really couldn't pull off a decent false glued splice for attachment to eyebolts, but will keep trying in the future. In most cases I used 0.3  mm beige line ties. I can do this. Where the ties are used on brown rope the contrast in color is noticeable. I did not think to order the brown. . . and was ready to finish, and like I said before, there are no inspectors here. Learning techniques was my goal for this series. I feel satisfied in that. As an aside, I will be looking for cotton threads in the future. The nylon has way too much memory. 

 

Started cleaning up and found I have lost the surgical scalpel. First I checked my pockets and beneath my bottom on the chair. Then the trash can. Never found it. Big cleaning tomorrow.

 

Glued in the row locks (final step) and poured a bourbon. Took these pictures.

 

Thanks to those who followed, and gave advice.

 

b

 

 

[druxey]

Congratulations on a very nice model, Bob! It doesn't matter how long one has been modeling, there's always something new to challenge one. Overcoming those challenges is a satisfying feeling, isn't it?

 

So, what is next, I wonder?

[bobandlucy]

Thanks, David. I couldn't be happier. Yes, resolving the problems is the best feeling. This totally replaces the challenges I had while working!

 

I've done the instructional series (as it exists as of now). 

 

I have AL's King of the Mississippi, I think I'll jump into that one next. Quite different. . .

 

b

 

[SkiBee]

Great job, have one on me before you start another ship.

[bobandlucy]

Thanks, SkiBee!

[GGibson]

Your Lobster Smack looks really great, Bob!  Congrats on its completion!  I have been away from modeling for several weeks now, as we are in the middle of a kitchen remodel and all of the summer activities with grandkids.  Left off at sanding the hull and will get back to it after the first of August.  You guys will be well on to your next project by that time.  Will try to catch up with you all sometime soon!

[bobandlucy]

Thanks, Gregg. Was wondering about you. . . 

[GrandpaPhil]

Well done!