Phantom by lraymo - Model Shipways - 1:96 scale - New York Pilot Boat

[lraymo]

Chain plates... still wonky, but these two are better than the first one!  Now it's on to the three on the other side.  But a wave of springlike weather has hit Kansas City after the brutal sub-zero week we just had, so the golf course is calling my name, which may lessen my time here!  But persevering!

The thread around the deadeyes got caught up in excess CA, and although I tried to correctly line up the deadeye holes, I couldn't hold on to the deadeyes very well as i placed them, so they ended up where they "fell"!

I'm looking forward to improvement on the port side!

[Cathead]

On 2/15/2025 at 4:55 PM, Keith Black said:

Eric, I enjoy seeing your work and as much of a pain it is taking photos I and I'm sure everyone else would enjoy seeing them. If you don't wanna go to the hassle of creating a build log please feel free to post pics on Lula's log. 

 

On 2/16/2025 at 1:18 PM, lraymo said:

Ditto what Keith said!  I'd love to see pictures!

 

I'm briefly hijacking your log to announce that you're getting your wish. I posted the first wordy intro to that project in the non-ship section of MSW this morning.

[lraymo]

On 3/1/2025 at 1:18 PM, Cathead said:

I'm briefly hijacking your log

Eric, thanks for posting!   I enjoyed reading all your historical details.  Especially since it gave me something interesting to do, while I sit here soaking my fingers in nail polish remover after an unwise decision not to use gloves on my latest bout with super glue!

[lraymo]

I think the chainplates have gotten the best of me!  I finished the six attached to the hull, but it's making me question my ability to go further on this build.  I'm seriously considering going to the simpler "18th Century Longboat" to learn more of the basics, before trying to finish this one.

 

Side views: 

But it might be time to put this one in "Dry Dock" and start on the simpler model... The current state of the Phantom is below.

Below is the third in the Model Shipways starter set of three builds.  I finished the first two, and thought i was ready for the Phantom, but I seem to not have the needed skills, tools, or experience to do it justice.   So the Longboat may be what I need before going further.

Haven't' pulled the plug yet, but I'm thinking about it...

[JacquesCousteau]

Nice work on the chainplates, they couldn't have been easy!

 

Although I've never built it, I've repeatedly seen posts saying that the longboat is surprisingly challenging due to being a small boat at a pretty small scale,  with only one layer of planking that is visible inside and out. I'm not sure if it would really be all that much easier than this one.

[Keith Black]

Lynn, is building the Phantom making you happy? That's what it's all about, having fun while making something with your hands. If it's not fun and making you happy, it is time to put it aside.

 

 Each build is a step, you make mistakes, you have victories, you learn, and you move on to the next project. With each build you acquire more or better tools, you gain knowledge, and your skills increase. I've been modeling for eight years and I still struggle. There are so many layers to this modeling onion, the more I peel away the more layers I find. Perfection is an illusion, we may chase it but we'll never catch it.

 

 Your chainplates aren't horrible, in fact they're pretty stinkin' good for the first time. Paint em black and move forward. Above all, do that what makes you smile.....

[Cathead]

I could easily advise both ways. My first few nautical models are pretty cringey to me now, but they all represented progress on a path. As great a resource as MSW is, it also sets one up to make constant comparisons with the "best" one sees here, and to judge one's own work accordingly. On the other hand, there's no shame in recognizing that one wants to do better and maybe a different path would achieve that.

 

I've built that longboat and agree that it's surprisingly tricky in places, though again as long as your personal standards are properly calibrated it'll be a good learning experience. Another option would be something in a larger scale so you get practice in some of the basic skills without the tinyness. For example, I got a lot out of building the Model Shipways Bounty Launch.

 

There's really no wrong choice here as long as you're comfortable with it!

[lraymo]

19 hours ago, JacquesCousteau said:

I've repeatedly seen posts saying that the longboat is surprisingly challenging

Jacques - thanks for the good advice!

15 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Your chainplates aren't horrible, in fact they're pretty stinkin' good for the first time. Paint em black and move forward.

Keith, thanks for being so kind!  And so encouraging. I still like building, but I think its time to go after a simpler model just because I'm getting so frustrated with the little tiny pieces, and it's not very much fun.  I'm thinking of trying the larger scale model that Eric mentions.   Although i'd like to do some simple rigging, and I see the Glad Tidings Pinky Schooner has more rigging to it (along with the dreaded chainplates!).  But I don't know if it would be any easier (and its a bit more expensive!)

 

10 hours ago, Cathead said:

I got a lot out of building the Model Shipways Bounty Launch.

Eric, I really appreciate your thoughts!  You, too, have been really encouraging!  I looked up the Bounty Launch... seems it might be the better choice since its a larger scale.

It's on backorder, though, so I'll continue to muddle along until its available.  One of the reasons I chose the Longboat was that I wanted to learn more about rigging.  The Bounty doesn't have much rigging going on, but i like the fact that its a larger model.

[Cathead]

You could always choose to add and rig the Bounty Launch's sail yourself, thus putting a toe into the scratchbuilding waters. It certainly had one!

[lraymo]

14 hours ago, Cathead said:

ou could always choose to add and rig the Bounty Launch's sail yourself

Eric, I actually thought of doing something similar!  I'm thinking of cannabilizing the Longboat kit, and using some of its parts to experiment with using the mast and rigging from the Longboat , replacing one of the masts on the Bounty.  I was planning on not using the sails on the Bounty anyway... I just like seeing the rigging lines!

It might look a little goofy, and certainly not historically accurate, but it might be fun!