Lobster Boat by Christopher Janki - BlueJacket Shipcrafters

[Christopher Janki]

After completing my first build, the cap code cat boat from bluejacket I've decided to build the maine lobster boat for a gift to my father in law.  Dont mind my messy work bench! Im working on converting it to a more appropriate work station

[Christopher Janki]

I got the floor and sub decking installed tonight, I'm going to try and finish this build before Christmas, that's a tight dead line!! We shall see....

[Christopher Janki]

I noticed a nice gap where the sub deck meet the side wall.. the bulk heads were too tall at 4 points. I spent the night performing surgery. Cutting out the glue and trimming down the bulk heads to make a nice smooth joint.  I'm glad I caught this now!

[gsdpic]

Looks like you are off to a great start!  I'll follow along....built this kit 6 or 7 years ago.  If you have not seen the thread with the review of this kit by @Cathead you might find it useful.  However, as mentioned in that thread, Bluejacket was possibly going to update the kit so maybe some issues have been fixed.

 

 

Edit: Fix the link to point to the top of the review, not the negative comment from another user.

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by gsdpic

[Christopher Janki]

Not much work done tonight, I added the support boards and reattached the last bulk head. I just wasn't happy with the way it was. I decided not to install the block of balsa wood in the bow.  I'll start planking in the next day or two. 

[ahb26]

Hi Christopher,

 

I have been working on this kit for a couple of months.  I am planking now, and I will try to get my act together and start a build log.  I have encountered a few issues, same as you.  The kit has indeed been revised since a recent log (apparently abandoned) and it may be something of a work in progress.  The cockpit sole didn't match up exactly to the frames and had to be shaped and trimmed a bit.  As you discovered, the cockpit sides left a gap to the subdeck.

I addressed this by adding a coaming made from 1/8" square stock, which is shown on the plans:

Unfortunately, the top edge of the coaming is not of even height above the subdeck over its length, but I'll live with that.

 

When I started planking, it seemed to me that the supplied laser-cut garboard strakes were not long enough - but this may be a misconception on my part of how the planking should work at the bow.  In any case, I used four individual 1/4" strips instead, which means I will need to order more of those strips.  Also, I added a stealer at the stern below the shear strake.

I will follow your build with interest, and get my own log started.

[Christopher Janki]

Thanks ahb26, I love the tips, and welcome any and all.  I still consider myself a rookie.  This is only my 2nd build of this caliber.  This is my first build, without the sail.  I'll be sure to fallow your build once you get your log up and running. 

[Christopher Janki]

Planking is underway.  This is definitely my weakest part of the build.  I've one planked one other boat so I'm very skeptical of my technique.  I ran out glue so I had to stop for the night. I use the thin and medium cyanoacrylate and the insta-set spray.  I like it and think it works great.   If anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them.  I do glue my fingers together often! 

 

[BobG]

I think that using cyanoacrylate glue is for the planking is just fine especially since you'll be painting the hull which will cover up any stains. You have to be much more methodic and careful when you use it for planking a hull that will be not be painted.

 

I like to use medium viscosity for planking by applying just a small dot of glue to a few bulkhead at a time while laying down a plank starting from the bow and working carefully towards the stern. I shape the plank until it lays down quite naturally along the bulkheads and fits tight against the previous plank before beginning to glue it down. Be sure to have some cyanoacrylate Uncure on hand to unstick your fingers! 

[ahb26]

9 hours ago, BobG said:

Be sure to have some cyanoacrylate Uncure on hand to unstick your fingers! 

Trouble: You have so much dried glue on your finger you can't use your fingerprint to unlock your phone.

Real trouble: You glue your finger to your phone.

 

Christopher, looks like you got the laser-cut garboard plank to work well. 

[Mike Collier]

It’s looking good! I will follow this build. I myself like to build work boats, mostly from Chesapeake Bay.

[Sam A]

Just now completing my first build so I don’t always know what mistakes I made and corrected vs potential kit challenges. For the cabin one problem I encountered you can see “16b” cross support where the holes were not aligned AND the cabin sides didn’t line up. I didn’t catch and don’t know how that happened since the cabin sides are well marked where to attach. The “16A” was supposed to be the front of the cabin however the shape etc didn’t fit and I used in the stern as shown where I didn’t see a solution in the kit. A few major things to deal with however she is coming together well. 

[Christopher Janki]

Planking is coming along.  The glue I got just wasn't working well enough so I ordered the original brand I had.  It finally came in!  

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by Christopher Janki

[Christopher Janki]

I finished planking the hull.  I used some hobby lite wood filer to help close any small gaps and smoth out the hull a little.  I this works very well.  I just need to do a little more sanding tonight.  I noticed a very small bulge on the left side of the hull at the 5th bulk head.  The hull looks fine from the naked eye but if I really exam it I can see it.  Any tips on how to catch this before planking is 90% done? Or am I just being to picky?

[Christopher Janki]

[MrBlueJacket]

20 hours ago, Christopher Janki said:

  I just need to do a little more sanding tonight.  I noticed a very small bulge on the left side of the hull at the 5th bulk head.  The hull looks fine from the naked eye but if I really exam it I can see it.  Any tips on how to catch this before planking is 90% done?

Before beginning planking, take some planking strips and lay them across the bulkheads, then sight down them to spot any bulges or hollows. It's called "fairing"

 

Nic

[Christopher Janki]

Hull is primed!  I spent a lot of time filling gaps and any spots I felt needed with hobby lite wood filler and then sanding, sanding, and more sanding.  I studied the plans and reviewed build trends to get an idea of how I wanted to put the cabin together.  It's coming alone good.  

Edited December 1, 2022 by Christopher Janki

[Christopher Janki]

[Christopher Janki]

Well with my kids winter activities in full mode finding time to work on the boat is getting hard! I've put about 5 coats of white paint down before I glued the roof on.  I trimmed the sides flush with the cabin and filled any gaps with wood puddy.  After that drys I'll sand some more and paint again. 

[Christopher Janki]

I'm getting ready for finishing details, I'm planing on painting the primary color a Nantucket blue.   I want your thought!!! I'm thinking the hull all blue with a white line at the water line and then a bottom color a black or red.  I'm also debating if I should paint the cabin roof and top of the cover the same blue, or leave it white.  Any thoughts or ideas are welcome. In the mean time I'll work on the pots and live wells. 

[gsdpic]

Looking good!   So I guess Nantucket blue is sort of a blue-gray color...I had to google it.  I think that is a good choice.  As for what to paint, it sounds like you are thinking about a scheme similar to what cathead had in his kit review linked above, except with the blue in place of the green.   I think that scheme looks good, but you can double check the review yourself to see what you think.

[Christopher Janki]

Pots are coming out nicely!  Now that I see the blue I'm leaning towards leaving the top white.  A nice red for the bottom paint with a white water line stripe.  Once the windows are installed with the window frames I think it will look good. 

[ahb26]

That's a very nice blue and will look good with the other colors.  I looked at lots of photos of lobster boats and there's plenty of variation, so you can't go wrong.  I'm using a fairly bright Kelly green on the roofs and the rub rail.  A lot of boats use the same color on the deck but I think that would be overpowering in this case, so I've painted the deck gray.  White hull above the waterline, red-brown below, and a black waterline. 

[Christopher Janki]

The red tops with a green stripe are from the Lucky Catch lobster boats out of Portland Maine! My family loves going out with them every time we visit. 

[James G]

It is looking so nice 👍! Well done.

[pwog]

Looks great! 

[Christopher Janki]

I've been working late all week to get her ready for Christmas, I think I might make it!  I've decided to leave the top white.  I'll paint the bottom red this weekend and add a white strip.  I've still have a lot of finishing details to work on.  

[Christopher Janki]

Finished! Just in time to give it as a Christmas gift to my father-in-law.  I named it Fortunate Hual, it's an inside joke we have from our trips aboard the Lucky Catch.  I hope he likes it!

[gsdpic]

Well done! Beautiful boat.   I am sure your FIL will appreciate it very much.

 

[James G]

Very nice and congratulations! I'm sure he's going to love it!!! Merry Christmas.