Lancha Chilota by JacquesCousteau - FINISHED – Scale 1:32 – Chilean Coasting Sloop

[JacquesCousteau]

The final steps were just to arrange the loose rope ends into piled loops, and to give a final trim to excess at the ends of the lanyards. With that, I'm ready to call this model finished! (Although I may edit the first post to have a bit of a table of contents.)

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, this has been a really fun build. Although a pretty simple vessel overall, this is by far the most complex model I've built yet, and it really helped me to develop skills I can bring to future builds. The planset was absolutely essential for building the hull framework, but after that I relied more on evidence from photos. I'm very lucky to have been able to find as many photos of lanchas digitally available as I did--this would have been a much different build without being able to access so many sources. I really enjoyed the research aspects of this build, not just to figure out how to model this boat, but also to work out (or at least take tentative steps toward working out) how the lancha fit into Chiloe's economic, social, and cultural history. I also was greatly helped along the way by the excellent community at this site--thank you to everyone who responded to queries, offered supportive comments, gave a like, or just checked in from time to time, not to mention to all the people who have written excellent, detailed build logs that helped me work things out when I ran into challenges.

 

There are a few big takeaways that I have from this build:

 

- Rigging isn't something to be feared, but can be fun in its own right. I certainly found the rigging to be a challenge, but it was very satisfying to see it come together. That said, it definitely takes a lot more rope than one might think. It's also a very good idea to do as much rigging as possible off the hull, as it becomes much more challenging once the mast is stepped.

 

- Metalworking may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but it's possible to handle very simple projects with a file, a tiny drill bit, some narrow-tipped pliers, super glue, and paint. Learning to solder would undoubtedly be a big help, though, with tackling more complex metalwork.

 

- While it's possible to get a nice weathered-looking finish by building up a ton of layers of washes, the repeated soaking and drying can swell and shrink the planks and open up gaps (maybe especially if you use coffee stir sticks, which I think are birch). It's definitely something to be careful of, and if I were to do this build again, I would probably choose a different method of weathering the deck. (I'm not sure which, though.)

 

- Although you can't really work out a curved hull shape without plans, a good photo archive is absolutely invaluable for figuring out all sorts of other details. There are still a few things in this build that I'm not certain about in terms of accuracy, but they are much fewer than on the Canoa de Rancho build, and I feel that I have selected reasonable solutions to work out things I couldn't be certain of. I've also made some choices that are not necessarily completely typical--like the blue and gray color scheme and the rudder extension--but I feel confident that my choices are within the realm of possibilities.

 

- A single layer of planking can work out just fine as long as the bulkheads are relatively closely spaced and care is taken during planking.

 

- I've learned it before, but it bears repeating: if you're not satisfied with a part, it's worth redoing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I may post some better photos later. I'll be getting back to my long-neglected Bateau de Lanvéoc build, but I'm not sure what my next build will be. This has been very fun, and I'm tempted to jump into another model of a relatively large Latin American workboat--perhaps a Tamaulipas fishing scow, a Maranhão cúter/canoa costeira, or a Bahian saveiro. But I'm also very aware of my dwindling shelf space, and think a smaller workboat makes more sense for now. Options that I'm seriously considering include a dalca (a sewn-plank canoe, also from Chiloé, although a lack of hull plans makes this a bit challenging), a biana (an open workboat from northern Brazil), a jangada (a fishing raft, also from northern Brazil), a Montevideo cargo "whaleboat," or a rescaled Muscongus Bay lobster smack (which would likely be the most relaxing build). Once again, thank you all for your comments and support!

[ccoyle]

Fabulous work! Congratulations!

[Paul Le Wol]

Jacques, congratulations on finishing your Lancha Chilota. This has been very enjoyable build to follow.

[Scott Crouse]

WOW, very nice and clean.   Well done. Bravo. 

[Thukydides]

Fantastic job. I have enjoyed following along and watching your research processes. You should be proud of your work.

[Jim Lad]

A beautifully executed model.

 

John

[Keith Black]

 Congratulations, Jacques. All those hours of research paid off in a well executed and handsomely built model of a little known work a day vessel. 👍

[wefalck]

It turned out really well and convincing. I really like your approach of thorough research into the circumstances, function and the details 👍🏻 

 

I think this deserves to be written up, say with a leaning on modelling in the NRG Journal and with a leaning on the research e.g. in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (which deals, unlike to what is suggested by the title also with recent and sub-recent vessels).