Yankee Hero by Ed Gibbons - BlueJacket Shipcrafters

[Ed Gibbons]

 

[Ed Gibbons]

This is my first attempt at model building since my youth when then it was plastic jets and boats using the now banned model glue. This is a kit that is designed for beginners.  I’ll keep everyone updated and am looking forward to receiving feedback. 

[Ed Gibbons]

This is what it should look like at completion. 

[Ed Gibbons]

Checked to see if everything was included. Started reviewing directions and thus far everything is easy to follow. 

[BobG]

This looks like a great model choice for getting back into the hobby. I will enjoy following you along as you build it. Good luck!

[Ed Gibbons]

After using the templates to shape the bow & stern, I laid out the lines for shaping the hull. I found the directions a little tricky. I ultimately “eyeballed” the lines on the bottom of the hull. They look good to me. 
 

[Ed Gibbons]

Working on the hull. Again, I found the directions a little unclear. I found on this forum, pictures of other Yankee Hero builds that helped immensely. 
 

 

[Ed Gibbons]

Getting closer. Will glue keel, stern, & bow parts soon. 
 

 

[Ed Gibbons]

Took some time off and went sailing on my Marshall Sanderling Catboat. 

[Ed Gibbons]

Worked on the cabin. Took me some time but eventually figured it out. 

Edited July 24, 2021 by Ed Gibbons

[bobandlucy]

Looks like a nice kit! Good job with shaping the hull.

[Ed Gibbons]

Sanded and used Elmers wood paste to smooth the hull. Primed with Krylon spray paint. Observed a few imperfections so put on a little more paste and another coat of primer. Looking good so next will be the gray primer that came with the kit. 

 

 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Ed Gibbons

[BobG]

Looks really good, Ed!

[Ed Gibbons]

Mast hole did not align up with deck hole. Filled it in with an epoxy wood filler. I’ll wait a bit then drill a new hole. With new location, deck will align up almost perfectly with the hull and only a minimal amount of sanding to complete the job will be needed. 

[Ed Gibbons]

Took a week off while grandchildren were visiting. Took some time regaining focus. Rub rail, gaff & boom, cabin, and rudder done. This is a much different experience than my other hobby, woodworking. 
 

Edited August 9, 2021 by Ed Gibbons

[Ed Gibbons]

I am trying to take the backing off of the white tape for the boottop.  Having a difficult time taking the backing off of the tape. Suggestions would be appreciated. 

[MrBlueJacket]

tease it with an Xacto blade

[Ed Gibbons]

Soaked the toe rails and placed them in this jig. 

[Ed Gibbons]

Glued the deck onto the hull. There was some overhang on the stern. I’ll use my dremel to bring it back to the edge of the hull. 
 

[Ed Gibbons]

Progress continues. Most difficult part so far was taking the backing off of the white tape. Next step will be painting the hull.  Based upon another Yankee Hero thread, I put a coat of flat acrylic finish over the boottop tape to help prevent any bleeding through. Hopefully it works. 

Edited August 14, 2021 by Ed Gibbons

[wtimlen]

Looking good. Good luck.

 

I am following.

 

All the best!

 

Bill T.

[Ed Gibbons]

Started painting the hull. Keeping fingers crossed that when I take off the white boottop tape, it comes off cleanly. I did thin the paint. First coat of red went on too thick. 

[Ed Gibbons]

Still having issues taking backing off of boottop tape. When I “tease” the tape with any exacto knife, only a thin layer of the paper comes off the back. Additional hints would be appreciated. 

[BobG]

 

 

44 minutes ago, Ed Gibbons said:

Still having issues taking backing off of boottop tape.

Ed, I've had good luck with Tamiya Modeling Masking Tape. It comes in several sizes and they also have some that is made to bend around curves. It works really well. I got mine on Amazon and it is probably available in good hobby shops as well.

[MichaelW]

Looking good.  I haven't experienced that problem with the boot tape.  I usually use narrow masking tape.  With all masking tape you don't want to leave it on any longer than is necessary.  I remove it soon after the paint is dry enough to handle lightly.  The boot tape should lift off - if it takes some paint, you can touch that up.  It won't be visible as you will be putting the final boot tape on top of that line.   f it looks like the boot tape is taking up paint to the left and the right of the tape, use a hobby knife to lightly score the paint along the tape.  That will help limit any paint removal to what's under the tape.   It's all a learning experience.

[Ed Gibbons]

5 hours ago, MichaelW said:

Looking good.  I haven't experienced that problem with the boot tape.  I usually use narrow masking tape.  With all masking tape you don't want to leave it on any longer than is necessary.  I remove it soon after the paint is dry enough to handle lightly.  The boot tape should lift off - if it takes some paint, you can touch that up.  It won't be visible as you will be putting the final boot tape on top of that line.   f it looks like the boot tape is taking up paint to the left and the right of the tape, use a hobby knife to lightly score the paint along the tape.  That will help limit any paint removal to what's under the tape.   It's all a learning experience.

Thanks Mike. I contacted Nick from Bluejacket. He thinks I may have “bad tape.”  When I take the backing off, a sliver of the paper backing remains on the back of the vinyl tape. I’ll be giving it another try. If I can’t get the backing to come completely off, Nick will send me another roll. I appreciate the encouragement.  😊

[Ed Gibbons]

Progress being made. Got some CA glue on hull and deck while gluing toe rails. Little bit of paint took care of hull but not sure how to minimize impact on deck. Suggestions appreciated. I had a dickens of a time taking backing off of boottop tape but finally had success. 

[MrBlueJacket]

I have found that a rope coil can hide a multitude of sins.

[Ed Gibbons]

On 9/6/2021 at 10:29 AM, MrBlueJacket said:

I have found that a rope coil can hide a multitude of sins.

Any tip on how to glue the traveler without getting glue on deck?

[Ed Gibbons]

Probably a silly question. Do I attach the blocks to the eye hooks with the supplied thin wire?