John Ruy Posted July 18, 2022 #1 Posted July 18, 2022 (edited) One of my eBay finds out of my stash. I have decided to break up the marathon task of building railings on the Robert E Lee. I will continue building those railings in the evening as I wind down the day. Here is a link to my Robert E Lee Build My new day job will be the Bluenose Canadian Fishing Schooner by Model Shipways. This kit was purchased for just 78.00 including shipping on eBay. The previous owner had started this kit. The kit was only missing some of the deadeyes and belaying pins. Those were easily sourced from Model Expo and are on order. Today I have laid her out to determine what has been started, the work is salvageable. Previous owner had only progressed to step 5. I have also assembled the 3 piece Keel and started the work of smoothing out the bulk head tapers and Rabbit Joints cut by my predecessor. I have been wanting to build the beautiful schooner since I first saw a model of her in the Bluenose Hotel in Bar Harbor, Maine. Plan to visit Nova Scotia next summer and see The Bluenose II among other things Canadian. Wish me luck, I am hoping my skills are now up to the task of doing her justice. Cheers 🍻 Edited July 12 by John Ruy Ryland Craze, yvesvidal, ccoyle and 3 others 6 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted July 18, 2022 Author #2 Posted July 18, 2022 (edited) Day 1 - Blukheads fitted… Next step gluing the bulk heads in place. I will need to jig up a frame to insure the bulkheads are square and aligned prior to gluing and then I’ll fair up the framing before planking. Cheers 🍻 Edited July 19, 2022 by John Ruy Cathead and GrandpaPhil 2 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Cathead Posted July 18, 2022 #3 Posted July 18, 2022 I'll follow over from your other build, have fun with this one! Definitely fewer railings... John Ruy 1 Quote Eric Missouri River craft (scratchbuilt): 1893 steamboat Peerless; 1853 steamboat Arabia; 1865 steamboat Bertrand; Lewis & Clark barge; keelboat; 1876 steamboat Far West; Nautical builds (kits): USS Cairo; NRG capstan project; NRG half-hull; Viking longship; US revenue cutter; 18th century longboat; Bounty launch
John Ruy Posted July 19, 2022 Author #4 Posted July 19, 2022 (edited) Gluing Bulkheads in place… Good first day… Cheers 🍻 Edited July 19, 2022 by John Ruy Ryland Craze, KurtH, kuya and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
gsdpic Posted July 19, 2022 #5 Posted July 19, 2022 You clearly have too much time on your hands! I'll follow along as well. I am confused though....I noticed the front of the box says "Solid Hull Construction for Easy Building!" John Ruy 1 Quote - Gary Current Build: Artesania Latina Sopwith Camel Completed Builds: Blue Jacket America 1/48th Annapolis Wherry
John Ruy Posted July 19, 2022 Author #6 Posted July 19, 2022 8 hours ago, gsdpic said: noticed the front of the box says "Solid Hull Construction for Easy Building Good eye… I need you guys taking a close look at my work. Keeps me alert, never saw that one. Maybe this box is worth something with its obvious miss print. 😆 Welcome aboard! gsdpic and yvesvidal 2 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted July 20, 2022 Author #7 Posted July 20, 2022 The Stern… After aligning and gluing all of the bulkheads in place, I began the work on the stern section. The blocks had been shaped nicely by the previous owner. Shaping of the stern blocks… Added the stern framing pieces and started planking the stern. Stern planking completed. More sanding required to get this right. This is my third schooner and it still feels difficult. But then if it were easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge. 🍻 Lots more detail to come before planking. Onwards 🍻 GrandpaPhil, KurtH, Helge Hafstad and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted July 20, 2022 Author #8 Posted July 20, 2022 Inboard Transom planking… Transom completed… Cheers 🍻 KurtH, yvesvidal, GrandpaPhil and 1 other 4 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
David Lester Posted July 20, 2022 #9 Posted July 20, 2022 Your transom is looking good, John. I've built this kit twice now and while it's generally not a difficult build, that transom is tricky. It looks to me that you're in good shape. Once it's done, the worst is over! This is an easy and enjoyable hull to plank. One little problem that does lie ahead of you though, and which you may have already discovered from other build logs, is the provided stern rail piece - it just doesn't fit. One option is to scrap it altogether and scratch build a new one, but I ended up just cutting it into three pieces - a centre piece at the stern and two side pieces and then adding a couple of filler pieces to widen it and change its profile slightly which made it fit. This worked quite well. David Cathead and John Ruy 1 1 Quote Current Build - St. Roch, Billing Boats; HMS Agamemnon, Caldercraft (on hold) Previous Builds - Armed Virginia Sloop, Model Shipways; Constitution, Model Shipways; Rattlesnake, Mamoli; Virginia Privateer, Marine Model Co, restoration; Prince de Neufchatel, Model Shipways; Charles W. Morgan, Model Shipways; Pride of Baltimore II, Model Shipways, Bluenose, Model Shipways (x2); Niagara, Model Shipways; Mayfower, Model Shipways; Shamrock V, Amati; HMS Pegasus, Victory/Amati
John Ruy Posted July 20, 2022 Author #10 Posted July 20, 2022 20 minutes ago, David Lester said: One little problem that does lie ahead of you though, and which you may have already discovered from other build logs, is the provided stern rail piece - it just doesn't fit. Thanks David, I appreciate your input. I followed your Bluenose build and am referencing it as I proceed. I was aware of this issue as I assembled the Stern and will keep this in mind going forward. I am currently using the rail piece as a guide to shape the stern and hopefully avoid the issue. It does look like I will need to widen the rail, reshape the stern narrower or both. Thanks again for the heads up, I will keep an eye 🧐 on the planking in this area. Cheers 🍻 GrandpaPhil, KurtH, David Lester and 3 others 6 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted July 24, 2022 Author #11 Posted July 24, 2022 (edited) Stern Block and transom shaping… Horn Timbers installed… Installing additional struts between bulkheads… Cheers 🍻 Edited July 24, 2022 by John Ruy Helge Hafstad, KurtH, Cathead and 1 other 4 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted August 2, 2022 Author #12 Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) Great Beam… Three laser cut pieces fit together like a puzzle. 😆 GreatBeam completed, now working on shaping the bulkheads extensions into stanchions. stanchions completed, on to fairing out the bulkheads. Installing my first waterways. Need some filling to fair out the planking. Finishing waterways… Finished waterways and added mobbing planks. Fore Deck waterways completed. Now it’s on to the Quarter Deck. Cheers 🍻 Edited August 2, 2022 by John Ruy David Lester, Cathead, KurtH and 3 others 6 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted August 5, 2022 Author #13 Posted August 5, 2022 Quarter Deck Waterways etc… Installed bracing below deck… Installing waterways… Finished out Transom Framing… Hawse Timbers placed… Cheers 🍻 Paul Le Wol, KurtH, David Lester and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted August 5, 2022 Author #14 Posted August 5, 2022 Waterways completed… I have chosen to use Amber Shellac over top a Cherry Stain for the decking. I think it gives that natural oil finish the plans call for. Cheers 🍻 Cathead, David Lester, Paul Le Wol and 1 other 4 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted September 2, 2022 Author #15 Posted September 2, 2022 (edited) I’m back… Need another respite from the Robert E Lee. Planking the hull… Installed temporary battens to help maintain proper alignment of the planking. Per Model Shipways instructions. Had to correct an issue with the hull on my first strake. I used 1/64” strip wood to fill and fair out the dip. Also found some of the water ways a bit high and was able to sand them down flush with the first strake. Model Shipways instructions are very good, this is the first time I have used this technique of planking. Each plank is no longer than 4 bulkhead spans. Using PVA for the edges and CA to attach to the bulk heads. 30 seconds of finger clamping is all that’s required. Beveling the edges at the stern for a tight fit. Minimal filler required at this point. She is coming along well thus far. Cheers 🍻 Edited September 2, 2022 by John Ruy Cathead, Helge Hafstad, chris watton and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted September 4, 2022 Author #16 Posted September 4, 2022 Progress… Cheers 🍻 gsdpic, Prowler901, GrandpaPhil and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted September 7, 2022 Author #17 Posted September 7, 2022 Hull Planking continued… Hull planked, let the sanding begin. 🍻 Fubarelf, GrandpaPhil, Prowler901 and 5 others 8 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Cathead Posted September 8, 2022 #18 Posted September 8, 2022 I love the lines of that hull. John Ruy 1 Quote Eric Missouri River craft (scratchbuilt): 1893 steamboat Peerless; 1853 steamboat Arabia; 1865 steamboat Bertrand; Lewis & Clark barge; keelboat; 1876 steamboat Far West; Nautical builds (kits): USS Cairo; NRG capstan project; NRG half-hull; Viking longship; US revenue cutter; 18th century longboat; Bounty launch
John Ruy Posted September 24, 2022 Author #19 Posted September 24, 2022 Bulwark Stanchions… Cheers 🍻 David Lester, gsdpic, KurtH and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted October 6, 2022 Author #20 Posted October 6, 2022 Just a quick note. Wanted you all to see The Bluenose “On the Shelf”. I will be back to finish her, although I may be a while over on my Robert E Lee build. Cheers 🍻 Cathead, Prowler901, Fubarelf and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted December 19, 2022 Author #21 Posted December 19, 2022 Off the shelf, now that the Robert E Lee is complete. Planking the decks… Good progress on the Fore Deck… Feels good to get back to the Bluenose. Cheers 🍻 gsdpic, yvesvidal, Paul Le Wol and 3 others 6 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted December 21, 2022 Author #22 Posted December 21, 2022 (edited) Fore Deck planking complete… Used pencil lead to represent caulking. Planking complete… Cherry Stain applied to darken planks First coat of Shellac applied several coats will be needed. The Quarter Deck will be tricky. 😬 Planking is curved and tapered. I am planning to work from outer edge towards the center planks. If anyone has any tips, please let me know what works here. Onwards 🍻 Edited December 21, 2022 by John Ruy yvesvidal, KurtH, Cathead and 1 other 4 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted December 24, 2022 Author #23 Posted December 24, 2022 Started planking the Quarter Deck… Progress is slow and tedious. Cheers 🍻 Fubarelf, gsdpic, yvesvidal and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Cathead Posted December 24, 2022 #24 Posted December 24, 2022 It may be slow and tedious, but at least it's not steamboat railings! Looks nice so far. John Ruy, Knocklouder and gsdpic 3 Quote Eric Missouri River craft (scratchbuilt): 1893 steamboat Peerless; 1853 steamboat Arabia; 1865 steamboat Bertrand; Lewis & Clark barge; keelboat; 1876 steamboat Far West; Nautical builds (kits): USS Cairo; NRG capstan project; NRG half-hull; Viking longship; US revenue cutter; 18th century longboat; Bounty launch
John Ruy Posted December 25, 2022 Author #25 Posted December 25, 2022 10 hours ago, Cathead said: It may be slow and tedious, but at least it's not steamboat railings! Looks nice so far. Got that right. 😆 Cathead 1 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted January 9, 2023 Author #26 Posted January 9, 2023 Decking completed… …and Finished. Sanding the hull… Using an Acrylic Auto Body glazing and spot filler. The glazing worked well, you will want to keep it thin. It does sand easily… Ready for the paint booth with some Filling Primer. Cheers 🍻 Paul Le Wol, bhermann, Cathead and 6 others 9 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted January 14, 2023 Author #27 Posted January 14, 2023 Filling Primer… Ready for another coat of paint and more sanding… Cheers 🍻 Paul Le Wol, bhermann, ccoyle and 7 others 10 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted January 18, 2023 Author #28 Posted January 18, 2023 More sanding and another coat… She is coming along rather nicely, sure is a lot of sanding and painting. It’s getting there. Another sanding and we should be ready for the color coat. 😎 Cheers 🍻 Cathead, Duanelaker, Prowler901 and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted March 4, 2023 Author #29 Posted March 4, 2023 Hull ready for waterline… Her bottom will be painted red below the waterline. After taking another look at her deck, I decided she needed a redress of the deck planking. Just wasn’t satisfied with the finish. More sanding… 😆 Prowler901, GGibson, yvesvidal and 5 others 8 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted April 2, 2023 Author #30 Posted April 2, 2023 Waterline… Progress… more sanding and touch up before a semi gloss clear coat. Cheers 🍻 gmctaggart, GGibson, KurtH and 9 others 12 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
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