Sea of Galilee Boat by LyleK1 - FINISHED - SE Miller - 1/20 scale

[LyleK1]

1 hour ago, Snug Harbor Johnny said:

   I read an article on the 'Jesus boat' recovered in Galiliee ... is this the same boat as the one in this thread?  The boat in the article in Biblical Archeology Review showed the the strakes were composed of many oddly shaped planks (some of them short) that were fastened together with lashings passed through severely made holes in the plank edges where they abut.  The whole thing looked like a big 'jigsaw puzzle'.  The article suggested that valuable wood resourced back them was used with a minimum of waste ... it reminded me of some Inca stonework where all the oddly shaped blocks were fit together so as to remove a minimum amount of material, yet be snug against each other.    Johnny

They used a technique called mortise and tenon to join the planks.

This is the same boat. It had 12 different varieties of wood in the boats construction.

It was speculated that some was by necessity due to a short supply of wood but also repairs performed during its lifetime were done with whatever was available.

It would’ve been impractical to attempt to use short pieces for the build since it is built using a strongback.

The book mentioned in my first post was written by the man the managed and performed the excavation.

Studies of the boat continue to this day.

[LyleK1]

Although I haven't posted in a few days, work has continued!

I finished the hull this afternoon!

The below sequence shows the progress through to the 15th plank:

As I mentioned in the previous post, the last 5-6 planks were by far, the most difficult and I, literally, had to do one at a time before moving on. The required bend/twists needed to shape the hull made it very difficult, more than I had imagined!

I ended up breaking 6-8 planks to achieve a finished hull. That's even after soaking and heating and bending incrementally to get the right shape at the stern:

Symmetrically, the hull shape looks great! I had to use a various amount of clamps, some not designed for model work but were necessary to push the planks into place. Tools were substituted for wedges as needed too:

And finally, the 15th planks on each side had to be shaped carefully to fill the remaining gaps:

 

I did some initial sanding while the boat was still on the strongback... I got to thinking, what if I sand it a little thin in places and it's accidently glued to the strongback!!

I'm glad I stopped:

I ended up having to cut several of the forms as I had indeed glued the planks to the forms in several spots!

It wasn't difficult to remove, I just cut a few of the forms, a little wiggle and they popped right out. Once I was able to get my fingers inside, I used them to push the forms slightly and they popped loose too:

If you look closely, you can see the remnants of a couple of the forms. Also, there is some denting on the interior of the planks from me being a little too rough getting the planks to shape properly.

I used water on my fingertips and rubbed it into the dents and most of them came out easily. The worst ones at the stern will be covered and not visible. 

So here is the hull before extensive sanding!

The bracing is just temporary to keep the boats shape.

On to sanding!

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by LyleK1

[Louie da fly]

There's a real sense of achievement in finishing the planking -  particularly when it's this difficult. Well done, sir!

 

I look forward to seeing it when the sanding is done. It can make a huge difference to the look of the model.

 

Steven

[TOM G]

I think your right on target, as far as having the model done for your father's birthday.👍

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  Now I can see how the planking was done ... so whatever goes inside rib-wise or thwart-wise is an installation process - plus whatever else in the way of oars, mast, rigging, etc.   Very nice!  I'd like to 'improve' (bust?) the ship's boats of the Endurance (actually I'll build them first as practice), since we have exact measurements on three of them (the fourth was the same as Schakleton's lifeboat) and many photographs.  There was a recent post on improving ship's boats for HMS Victory, where the assembly ribs were removed and replaced by more scale-like boat ribs - along with thin footlings, scale gunwale (with grain going in the right direction) and a variety of accouterments on hand in such boats.  Each boat also has a graceful upward curve to the stem and stern (not sure of the correct term) - and that might be done best by installing the plank below the gunwale first to establish the curve - them go on planking downward (tapering planks as needed).  Taking the time to do a better job on details such as these will greatly add to the appearance of the model as a whole.   Johnny

[LyleK1]

1 hour ago, Snug Harbor Johnny said:

  Now I can see how the planking was done ... so whatever goes inside rib-wise or thwart-wise is an installation process - plus whatever else in the way of oars, mast, rigging, etc.   Very nice!  I'd like to 'improve' (bust?) the ship's boats of the Endurance (actually I'll build them first as practice), since we have exact measurements on three of them (the fourth was the same as Schakleton's lifeboat) and many photographs.  There was a recent post on improving ship's boats for HMS Victory, where the assembly ribs were removed and replaced by more scale-like boat ribs - along with thin footlings, scale gunwale (with grain going in the right direction) and a variety of accouterments on hand in such boats.  Each boat also has a graceful upward curve to the stem and stern (not sure of the correct term) - and that might be done best by installing the plank below the gunwale first to establish the curve - them go on planking downward (tapering planks as needed).  Taking the time to do a better job on details such as these will greatly add to the appearance of the model as a whole.   Johnny

The “ribs” are the next step after some sanding.

They run vertically along the entire length of the boat.

Meticulous work but should look great.

Interesting info, thanks!

[Chuck Seiler]

Lyle,

 

    How structurally sound is that?  Will the frames beef it up or re they just for show...and it requires the thwarts for solidity (is that a word?)

[LyleK1]

9 hours ago, Chuck Seiler said:

Lyle,

 

    How structurally sound is that?  Will the frames beef it up or re they just for show...and it requires the thwarts for solidity (is that a word?)

so·lid·i·ty

/səˈlidədē/

Learn to pronounce

 

noun

 

1. the quality or state of being firm or strong in structure.

    

   Well done, Chuck! Not a new word but used in proper context! I honestly didn't know but had to check!

   The steps to remove thwarts are many! But eventually, they will come out. The bow and stern get a small "deck", plus the are inner wales that will retain the shape.

[LyleK1]

Sanding mostly done... Interior is done and coated with CA to reinforce the seams. Sanded smooth and ready for ribs!

I struggled with doing the CA coating but it made a nice hard shell. This model is amazingly light and feels fragile but this step certainly made it feel stronger.

 

Sanding on the exterior is basically done... I'll do some touch up in places but overall, it is done:

 

I starting making ribs... no BBQ sauce!

I haven't used the old soldering iron plank bender in a while. Its radius is almost perfect for the bends needed. I soaked the planks for about 15 minutes and after a couple of missteps, I was able make the rest fairly easily. I've got about 25% of the required amount cut and bent.

More in a few days. Hoping to get out on the boat for a few days... 

An update when I return after the holiday.

[LyleK1]

Just a quick update... I was gone for the long weekend.

Managed to get about a quarter of the ribs in place:

Spacing is accomplished using a couple pieces of the planking material... worked great except when I glued it in place with the rib! Fortunately, I was able to get it back out with no damage!

I'll post again soon.

[Louie da fly]

Nice. Are you intending to double up the frames so they overlap each other?

[TOM G]

Use a peice of saran wrap on your spacer....... glue won't stick.🙂

[LyleK1]

11 minutes ago, TOM G said:

Use a peice of saran wrap on your spacer....... glue won't stick.🙂

Hmmmm... even CA glue?

I'll give it a try!

[LyleK1]

8 hours ago, Louie da fly said:

Nice. Are you intending to double up the frames so they overlap each other?

I presume you are referring to the ribs?

The pattern shown is followed throughout the hull. Based on the original, that appears to be the correct pattern. I am considering adding floor boards with some small spacing which will cover the bottom of the hull... haven't decided yet.

[Bill Morrison]

On 6/11/2021 at 7:56 AM, Louie da fly said:

Though the lateen is now known to have been developed earlier than previously thought -  as evidenced by this tombstone, dated to the second century AD

 

   

 

this is the only evidence for such prior to the 5th century; all other contemporary representations I'm aware of show square sails. So a square sail is far more likely for the Sea of Galilee ship, which is dated to the first century AD. Indeed, i have seen both typrs depicted on both Egyptian and Phoenician boats of the general era.

 

On 6/11/2021 at 7:56 AM, Louie da fly said:

 

Steven 

It stands to reason that there existed both lateen and square sails in the Meditteranean Sea at the time. Indeed, I have seen dipictians of both Egyptian and Phoenician boats.

 

Bill

 

 

 

[Louie da fly]

Bill, do you have any pics of these depictions? I've never seen anything prior to the above with anything resembling a lateen.

 

6 hours ago, LyleK1 said:

I presume you are referring to the ribs?

 

Yep.

 

6 hours ago, LyleK1 said:

The pattern shown is followed throughout the hull. Based on the original, that appears to be the correct pattern.

 

That's fair enough - it appears that the frames do overlap each other after all - every frame overlaps the ones either side of it, so there's no "zone of weakness" where the joins are. The Byzantine ships found at Yenikapi have a similar layout, but the overlap between adjacent pairs of frames is more pronounced.

 

Steven

[Chuck Seiler]

    The pattern Lyle used is from the excavation. (see attached). 

 

    The book refers to the individual pieces as "floor timbers", "futtocks" and "half frames".  As Lyle's model shows, the frames alternate floor timer, half frame, FT, HF, etc.  Many of the floor timbers have "futtocks" which extends the frame to the gunn'l, but not all.  The book notes that some locations where frames are missing you can see nails, other locations there are no nails. 

 

    I have seen models where floor timber/futtock arrangement goes the full length of the boat and some where that arrangement is used only for about the center 1/3 while floor timber-only is used for forward and aft 1/3s.  Who knows for sure.

[TOM G]

20 hours ago, LyleK1 said:

Hmmmm... even CA glue?

I don't know about ca glue....... I use WELD BOND...... I have had bad results with ca glue....... comes apart in time........ Maybe it was the brand of glue I used ?🤥

[LyleK1]

"I have seen models where floor timber/futtock arrangement goes the full length of the boat and some where that arrangement is used only for about the center 1/3 while floor timber-only is used for forward and aft 1/3s.  Who knows for sure."

 

Exactly!

The pattern is debatable but I think the pattern chosen is appropriate for the time period and type of build. As shown in Chuck's post, the pattern is not even the same throughout which I find unlikely but more of a product of the age and condition of the boat when it was excavated.

[LyleK1]

6 hours ago, TOM G said:

I don't know about ca glue....... I use WELD BOND...... I have had bad results with ca glue....... comes apart in time........ Maybe it was the brand of glue I used ?🤥

I use Bob Smith Industries... works well and we'll see about the longevity.

Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of CA but can see the reasoning for using it on this build.

[LyleK1]

Half the ribs done:

 

A month and five days until dad's birthday! Gotta get busy!

Summer makes it harder to work... boating, gardening, etc!

Still think I can make it without having to rush.

 

[LyleK1]

Lots accomplished over the last few days...

 

I finished the ribs. I found it to be very difficult to bend some of the ribs in the sharper corners near the bow and stern. Since they will be covered by the decks, I gave them less worry below the deck line. Overall, a tedious task working with 1/8 x1/8 wood:

 

The inner wales were next. I let the pieces soak in hot water for about an hour before bending them by hand... no heat. The bend was not sharp and actually shaped easily. I used clamps and made sure the wales were in the right position along the entire length of the hull. Once the inner wales were in place and still wet, I clamped them down ensuring that they touched each rib at the top and bottom. Once dried, I used the the thin CA glue and glued them in place while still clamped, resulting:

 

The cutwater was a bit of a conundrum for me. There are no real instructions that were helpful on this part of the build. Fortunately, I found a couple of pictures and build logs that gave me a good view and idea of what I needed to make. It started with several 1/4 x 1/4 wood pieces glued together:

I laid the bow down and used my pencil to trace the curvature of the bow. The pieces were glued together to match the curve. I used my scroll saw and cut the shape out and then cut the leading edge. Finally, I sanded and glued it onto the bow:

Still need to sand the cutwater at the keel flat to properly receive the false keel but I am really pleased with the outcome! 

Next, deck beams were installed at the bow and stern:

 

And the decking begins... simple but a little work to cut around the ribs:

Finally:

Some sanding on the end to even up the deck ends... I decided that I wanted a more finished look. So, I cut pieces to put between the ribs and then placed a piece of trim around the hull. Also added an end cap to the deck:

A better look to me... what do they call it........ artistic freedoms! Hopefully, not too far off base!

The fore deck, cap rails and the false keel are next!

[Louie da fly]

Beautiful work, mate!

 

Steven

[Chuck Seiler]

    Wow!  Significant progress.  Looking good.  I find the cutwater very interesting.  It seems quite large for such a small boat.  I guess you might need it to ram rival fishermen.  😄

 

    Between your progress and Louie d F's start on the NEF, I am embarrassed at my lack of productivity.  I have been dawdling with the Jesus Boat, some movement, but I need to get in gear and go public.  Build log by Saturday.

[Moab]

Looking good...Moab

[LyleK1]

41 minutes ago, Chuck Seiler said:

    Wow!  Significant progress.  Looking good.  I find the cutwater very interesting.  It seems quite large for such a small boat.  I guess you might need it to ram rival fishermen.  😄

Yeah… I wasn’t liking the look of it either and I have altered it:

Looks better now!

More progress today…

I’ll post another log later or tomorrow.

[LyleK1]

Fore deck work was next on the agenda... built similar to the aft deck:

And then trimmed up just like the aft deck:

 

Decks are done!

 

I really didn't like the look of the cutwater... a little reshaping and it looks much better:

 

The false keel piece had to be soaked and bent several times until I got the shape right without breaking it!

Once glued into place. I beveled it at the bow to match up with the planks:

And the false keel is glued and sanded:

 

Cap rails present another challenge. One of the two that came in the kit was split and unusable and the other was way over bent. So, I soaked a spare plank and the remaining cap rail. The rail that started out as a straight plank was soaked for about an hour in hot water, wrapped in paper towels and micowaved for about 30 seconds. It was fairly easy to bend from there:

The other rail had to be straighten... again I soaked for about an hour and then slowly straightened out to the proper shape. I tack glued the stern part in place and now am letting it dry before gluing it down:

Once in place, a little sanding and trimming and the cap rails will be done!

I think I'll be using Amber Shellac for the finish... some light sanding on the hull and possibly some steel wool to finish off the sanding and then I'll finish it, inside and out. I do plan to add some floor decking and the mast step... need to determine if I should do those item first or finish it first... Comments??

And then on to some decking and the mast!

[Louie da fly]

Looking very good, mate. Real progress!

 

Steven

[Chuck Seiler]

Lyle,

 

    That is really looking good.  You are well on track to be done on time.  I hope mine ends up looking as good as yours.

[LyleK1]

4 minutes ago, Chuck Seiler said:

Lyle,

 

    That is really looking good.  You are well on track to be done on time.  I hope mine ends up looking as good as yours.

Thanks Chuck! I’m pleased with look of the model.

I’m sure yours will be beautiful!

I just finished the cap rail… done for the night: