Providence by Joseph F. - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - 1/24 scale - whaleboat

[Joseph F.]

 

Started my second boat kit this weekend, Providence Whaleboat by Artesania Latina, one of their beginner’s kits. I’ve consulted the other build logs and am trying to avoid the issues they found with this kit, and it’s coming together very well so far.

 

 

Frames fitted neatly, though the plywood was very brittle. Using a lot more tools on this kit than I did on my first, getting a much better result.

 

The instructions just call this the “interior side piece.” Made double sure that it would fit cleanly, since I saw other builders having trouble with this piece. There is a lot of room for error.

 

 

I got to use my Micro Shapers from Artesania Latina on the interior planking, to make it round on the edges. Needs cleaning up afterwards, but it’s a neat tool.

 

 

The interior side planking isn’t perfect, once again I forgot to sand the frames,  but it’s better than my last boat. The floor planking was very easy with enough sanding and cutting. 

 

 

Sanded one of the “Cockpit floor side battens” and used it as a form to make the second one.

 

 

Took a great deal of sanding and fitting, but the floor planking finished very neatly. I’m very proud of this work so far. Now begins the laborious task of sanding down the frames to receive the exterior planks! I’m listening to an audiobook of Moby Dick while I work. Call me Ishmael!

[Joseph F.]

 

Started exterior planking, found the clinker hull style to be very easy to do once I got started. Most difficult part was joining the ends of the planks to the bow and stern, and I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t do a very good job, but wood putty covers a multitude of errors.

 

 

Tried Testor’s Wood Glue in the brown tube for some things, it’s good for exterior decoration, but don’t expect it to bear any weight or pressure. Had to resort to super glue on the planking. 

 

 

Super glue has the amazing property of binding to your fingers instantly, but taking several minutes to set to the material you’re using it on.

 

 

Both ends of the boat are very ugly, but after sanding, wood putty, and a coat of white paint, hopefully it won’t look too bad. In preparation for painting, I coated the hull in some Miniwax Polyurethane, which I will let set for a day, then apply another coat.

 

I’ve got to chapter 25 of Moby Dick!

 

 

Before I applied the sealer, I dry fitted the gunwales and seats, which give me hope that this will shape into a fine looking boat.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Joseph F.

[Joseph F.]

Before I glued the gunwales, I gave the hull two or three coats of Rustoleum white paint, which went on pretty well over the polyurethane, but I should have done some more sanding beforehand. After that, the rest of the boat came together fairly easy. 

 

 

I glued the gunwales to the frame and planked the stern section, and also sanded and bent a brass handle for the stern hatch.

 

 

This picture shows the tiller after it was hung, and also a closeup of the hull after painting.

 

 

Rigging the sails was very easy and fun, I tried to use the loops at the corners of the pre-sewn sails to fit around the masts and blocks. I left the loops at the bottom right and bottom left untied for the next step.

 

 

I read some comments on this site that Tung Oil was a good finish, and I was very pleased with how easy it was to use, and how much of a good effect it gives. Doesn’t look like varnish at all, just makes the wood look richer. I will certainly be using this stuff in my future projects. I applied it only to the gunwales, the tiller, and the seats.

 

 

The oar locks and harpoon crotch came in this greyish metal, which I dipped in some Burnishing Fluid from Ammo by Mig, which you can find on scale model modeling websites. It gave a more natural and cleaner finish than black paint. 

 

 

The finished product! The gunwales were stained, oar locks blackened, harpoons made, and sails tied down. That round piece at the stern is for the Harpoon line, not for tying down the sails, but it was convenient, and my kit did not supply any other loops.

 

 

The whole build took me two weeks. Once I got past the difficulty of planking, this kit became very fun and easy. And despite my many mistakes, I think it looks good, and it gives me confidence to start my next build, the Bounty Launch from Model Shipways.

[ERS Rich]

You got through it. Like the Tung Oil.  
 

Looking at the work, may I suggest taking a look at using a wood file to clean up the board ends, rather than sand paper.  Gives tighter control and crisper edges than sandpaper.

 

Next one will be even better. Cheers!

Edited May 15, 2021 by ERS Rich

[GrandpaPhil]

Well done!