Trying to get back into it.

[Salty Dog]

Hello all,

I had fallen off the planet and am trying to come back. I recently sold my Mantua Cutty Sark for $1,000.00, which is nothing for the amount of time I put into it. But it had been sitting there for 7 years, with no one really looking at it, and it bummed me out.  Now I'm bummed that I sold it and want to start building again. I have all the kits listed in the poll and can't decide which to tackle. They are all in various stages of assembly, but mostly just the beginning of the hull planking. Just curious as to which one would be most popular here an would appreciate a little input.

Thank you all.

Edited April 29, 2021 by Salty Dog
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[catopower]

Hello Salty Dog,

 

The way I look at it, even if you didn't get a lot for your model, you found a home with someone willing to part with $1000. That's a chunk of money for most people, which usually means it's something they'll value, care for, and show off. Your model isn't gone, it's just being displayed in another location where more people can appreciate it.

 

And, you can use the money to help fund your next great work of art.

 

I voted for the Royal Caroline, only because it's one I've always wanted to build, and I already inherited a San Felipe kit from a friend. But, I wouldn't worry about popularity of the subject here. Build what would bring you the most joy!

 

[GrandpaPhil]

I voted for the Wappen Von Hamburg because it is the one I would personally most like to build, out of that list.

[Salty Dog]

Thank you all for responding. Most are choosing the one I am most afraid of! The Wappen is a tough kit for different reasons. It is single planked. No messing up! The instructions leave much to be desired. I can't decide what to do with all the castings. Not sure I like all the colored characters. I think I might go with them as they come. The quality of this kit is top notch. Really nice wood and castings.

The kit that I have invested more time on as of now is the Royal Caroline. I feel guilty for having stopped when I was moving along well. Catopower has a good eye. The RC is like a jewel. Very elegant looking ship. So I might go with that, or I might take a dive and work on the Wappen.

Regardless, I just have to start moving and I appreciate your suggestions.

[Salty Dog]

21 hours ago, catopower said:

Hello Salty Dog,

 

The way I look at it, even if you didn't get a lot for your model, you found a home with someone willing to part with $1000. That's a chunk of money for most people, which usually means it's something they'll value, care for, and show off. Your model isn't gone, it's just being displayed in another location where more people can appreciate it.

 

And, you can use the money to help fund your next great work of art.

 

I voted for the Royal Caroline, only because it's one I've always wanted to build, and I already inherited a San Felipe kit from a friend. But, I wouldn't worry about popularity of the subject here. Build what would bring you the most joy!

 

You're right of course. It's the reason I sold the Cutty in the first place. Just wasting away. The guy that bought it loved it at first sight, so I'm sure it's well appreciated.

 

Edited April 30, 2021 by Salty Dog

[Chuck Seiler]

    I believe ZHL is on the list of banned kits due to piracy practices. 

[Jaager]

Salty,

 

You are a bit too salty with your last two sentences.  That company is the most forbidden of all of the forbidden pirate kit companies.

High quality wood and components can never compensate for blatant theft of original plans and instructions.  The site rules are in the bottom forum.  

 

Popularity is not a thing here.  Scratch building is where real bones are made. 

Umm...  you sold a completed model of a kit that cost ~ $600 for $1000?    Working for the new minimum wage, if it took you more than 26 hrs,  you lost big time.

[catopower]

Yep. Worst of the worst. I won't even repeat their name.

 

58 minutes ago, Jaager said:

Umm...  you sold a completed model of a kit that cost ~ $600 for $1000?    Working for the new minimum wage, if it took you more than 26 hrs,  you lost big time.

You lose nothing if you enjoy the build and find a good home for the model, where it's appreciated.

 

I have a friend who gives away every model he builds to friends and family. All big ships. He does it because he enjoys it. If you're in it for the money, then it become a business, and for many of us, that in itself steals much of the joy.

 

 

[Salty Dog]

Ooops, sorry about that guys. I deleted that reference.

Jaager, I got to build it which is what I really wanted. I paid $200 for the kit. I'm $1,000.00 richer today and can see my ship anytime I want because it went to a friend. And I own 2 of the exact same kits that are in my stash if I want to build it again. I love the Cutty. Some of us do it for fun, as Catopower said. Enjoy your real bones. I like my kits.

For those interested, this is the current state of my RC:

Edited April 30, 2021 by Salty Dog
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[Salty Dog]

3 hours ago, Chuck Seiler said:

    I believe ZHL is on the list of banned kits due to piracy practices. 

Thank you Chuck. I deleted the reference. Didn't know it was a no no.

[BobG]

14 hours ago, Salty Dog said:

For those interested, this is the current state of my RC:

Beautiful work, Salty Dog!

[Salty Dog]

4 hours ago, BobG said:

Beautiful work, Salty Dog!

Thank you Bob,

Went to "start it up" again and was disoriented. Didn't remember where I left off and was surprised I had done so much. I even bought the Anatomy of the ship and that may have been part of why I stopped building it. That and getting into plastic ships with beautiful PE. It is a great book, but so many things that are out of my league. I could never make the beautiful carvings. Last thing I had done was some of the mast work. I did try to replicate some of what the book illustrates but even that was complicated without going into scratch building. So it's either have fun and complete the kit, or really delve into things I have to spend lots of time learning and get discouraged some more. For now, I'd rather have fun.

I did buy a Servo-Matic because I have always wanted to make beautiful served lines. Hopefully I can handle that.

I don't think I'll start a build log because I'm so far ahead, but I will post updates here if permitted, for those of you that would like to see it and have said such nice things.

Onward...

[BobG]

2 hours ago, Salty Dog said:

I don't think I'll start a build log because I'm so far ahead

I thought the same thing when I was building my Medway Longboat by Syren and Chuck told me that "it's not too late to start a build log." So I went ahead and started a belated build log. It turned out to be the best thing I could have done since I got so much good advice and encouragement form fellow modelers. 

 

So I'd say go ahead and start a build log. You'll be able to ask questions and get great advice as needed and it will help keep you motivated to finish your ship. Good luck!

[mtaylor]

Salty Dog, I agree with Bob.  Go ahead and start a log.  It's actually to your benefit to have one.    You might start with just a bit of background to get everyone up to speed.  Doesn't have be in depth, just a few pictures (if you have some) from early on and bit of text.

 

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

[AnobiumPunctatum]

I am a fan of the "Wappen von Hamburg", since  I was a child. I read the book of Wolfgang Quinger in the 70th of the last century. I think the kit is a good representation of the ship, based on the older Höckel drawings.

Edited May 1, 2021 by AnobiumPunctatum

[Salty Dog]

Hello all,

Well, I decided to continue on with the Royal Caroline. The first pics I posted were of the RC in its current state. I have made some progress. I didn't start a build log because the ship is so far done. I figure I'll at least update every once in a while. So here is where I am:

This is the first time I have ever used my "own" wood for the deck. I bought some Midwest architectural wood and used that instead of the kit supplied one. I love it. Very nicely milled wood and all I did was add some sanding sealer. I also added the wales, and the chain plates, and the deadeyes, and the small steps on the side of the ship, the stairs, and the windlass.

 

 

 

 

I placed the figurehead, and all the brass parts. This was not fun. Bending that brass was a nightmare. I was going to cheat and use something else, but I stuck with it. The hat heads are also in.

 

None of the gallery had been done. Tonight I added the lamps. For the windows, I didn't want to drill them out, and place some acetate as glass, just so you could look at a dark room. So I used Mylar. My daughter thinks it's cheesy, but my wife loves it. I think it's cool. Gives some realistic reflections.

And that's it. I will post updates when I get some more work done.

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by Salty Dog

[catopower]

Hello Salty Dog,

 

That classic basswood deck really does have a nice look to it, doesn't it?

 

Your progress looks very good. But, I think you should post in a build log, even if it's mid-build, it doesn't matter. It's just a place to check in on your build now and again – much better than trying to look for it in the General Ship Models Discussion section. And, I'd love to see the occasional update.

 

[mtaylor]

Salty Dog, I'm with Clare here.  By all means start a log and use maybe the first post or two to bring us up to speed on where you are now.