Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack by Joseph F. - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:24

[Joseph F.]

Having finished the Swampscott Dory, I now have moved onto the Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack, a delightfully named fishing boat from the late 19th Century. It’s the 3rd of David Antscherl’s Model Shipwright series, and given that, most of the pieces are lasercut, even the masts, with only a few planks. At this point, I believe I am past the beginner steps in this hobby, but I am hoping this will be an easy build to sharpen my skills. 

 

The first question in this build was whether to make the centerboard workable. The boat would look just as well if the centerboard was glued in place, but the instructions give a fairly detailed section on how to create a workable handle to deploy this piece. (Note: the keel is assembled in three layers, and the holes on the centerboard did not quite match the cut outs on these outer layers, so some adjustment was required on my model.)

 

However, I typically prefer to simplify pieces like these, preferring details that look simple and clean rather than complex and unsightly. So I made the centerboard workable with just two small pieces of brass rod superglued in the appropriate places. 

So the centerboard is workable, the three layers of the keel are laminated together, and things are progressing well. Here’s some of my inspiration for this project, “Breezing Up” by Winslow Homer:

[Mike Collier]

I just finished mine about month ago, had little rough start but it came out ok.

[Joseph F.]

Have started to fair the frames and assembled the cockpit seats. 
 

 

Also glued the transom together. 
 

 

Next I will work on gluing the deck and finishing fairing the frames. So far it’s coming together very nicely.

[Joseph F.]

Also attached the transom and deck.
 

 

Some slight mistakes but overall very pleased with it.

 

I will continue faring the frames and next will attach the last parts of the keel, then move on to planking.

[Joseph F.]

Have made progress fairing the frames, then glued on the last keel pieces. Now have wet the garboard strake and dry fit it to the hull.

 

Note: There is no need to cut a rabbet on this model, only a little adjustment.

Edited October 6, 2022 by Joseph F.

[rcmdrvr]

I am going to follow your build.  I have this kit in line as a soon to be built project.

[Joseph F.]

So as I laid the strake above the garboard, I decided to switch to superglue, which got the planking done in no time at all, especially with pre-cut strakes. So I managed to finish placing all the planks last night. 

 

Here is a picture of the finished planking before sanding and filling.

 

I had seen many suggesting Elmer’s Wood Filler in another post, but I decided to try a similar product made by Gorilla, which is working well to my taste.

 

My goal is a less than seamlessly smooth finish which will show the outline of the planks when it is painted. 

 

This is a picture of the boat after trimming and sanding the sheer strake.

 

So far this has been a very enjoyable and quick build, since I only started it on Saturday! Very happy with it so far.

[Joseph F.]

I found the timber supplied for the toe rail to be too thick for my liking.
 

 

So I swapped it out for a thinner piece which was left unused from the Swampscott Dory.

 

The deck furniture came together really quickly, the coaming around the cockpit and the cabin walls bent very easily after being wetted and steamed with an electric kettle. 
 

I didn’t realize that the Samson post was provided as two pieces on one of the lasercut sheets, so I ended up fashioning my own out of spare wood. I like mine better anyway.

 

The last pieces I added were the cabin roof and door. There is a gap between the roof and door, but I think it can be covered by the sliding cabin door. 

[Ryland Craze]

You are doing a good job on your Lobster Smack.  This kit builds into a nice model.  The Shipwright Series of kits from Model Shipways is an excellent way to build your skills as you progress to more complex models.

[Joseph F.]

Decided to paint the boat using Vallejo Model Air, using brushes. It’s a prethinned paint, designed for airbrushes but works well brushed on too.

 

Colors are Blue Grey for the roof, Fire Red for the hull and seats and toe rails, and White Grey for just about everything else.

 

I’m very happy with the White-Grey and the Blue-Grey, however, I think the red could use another coat. Have also considered using a Red-brown on the hull.

 

In any case, the waterline needs to be cleaned up and the bottom given a second coat. 

[Joseph F.]

Repainted hull in a Red-Brown, I think the result is much better.

Also started roughing in the mast and bowsprit.

 

[Joseph F.]

This is the progress which I have made since yesterday, with masts dryfitted and traveler installed.


I was trying to come up with a name to paint on the back of the boat, and “Sarah II” came to mind. Just seemed right.

 

Also put the name on the trailboards, rather than the designs in the instructions. Did less well free-handing this.

And here’s the model on my shelf.

 

I may take a step back on this project while I wait for my wife to make sails. My next project is going to be the Picket Boat no. 1 from Model Shipways, and I have an idea to make it RC.

[Joseph F.]

My wife finished making the sails for the boat this week, and I’ve been on a deadline to finish before Saturday so I can show it to my local ship modeling club and deliver it to the person to whom I’m giving it. 

The day before yesterday I finished staining and rigging the mast and yards, and yesterday I rigged the boat. 
 

Made a few mistakes with the tackling, and if I had more time I would have used thread and knots rather than copper wire.

 

The two turnbuckles on the bowsprit.

A view of the stern, with a look at the traveler and the lower boom.

A view of the cockpit and traveler.

 

Neglected to add the turnbuckles and lines securing the mast to the chainplates. 
 

Here is a view of the completed boat with the base. My wife woodburnt an inscription on one side, the same phrase that was on President Kennedy‘s desk, slightly modified: Oh Lord, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small.

 

Finished

[Ryland Craze]

Beautiful model.  The person receiving this model is a lucky person.