Old salt with new beginning

[Doug Smith]

I'm a 73 year old mariner living on a boat with my wife of 52 years. We live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada . My first build is the Billing Boats, Bluenose I. I was given this model by a friend who purchased it 25 years ago. I've had it about 3 months and am just at the rigging stage with over 400 hours into it. My friend threw me a curve ball by not bedding the hull planks to one another. I didn't realize this until I started fairing the hull. 200 hours later I finally lost my patience with this problem and scarfed in replacement planks (about half the hull). Irrespective of the many hours and frustation this model has caused I am completely hooked, line and sinker, to this new hobby. I have subscribed to a number of YouTube channels and enjoyed well over 200 hours watching everything I can find on the subject, I'm also notorious for doing an absurd amount of research. I've already chosen my next build which I should have in a month or so.......
 

Sergal's Sovereign of the Seas

Yup, I know it's ambitious but I have always set high standards and lofty goals for myself. I've challenged myself as I believe if you don't there is no growth or feelings of accomplishment. I'm sure many of you have done this by stepping outside your comfort level and I have only one question for you..... "How'd it make you feel?"

Am I nervous? Youbetchya! Am I gonna make mistakes? YEP!

I'll be turning to you for help, suggestions and answers. That's what drew me to this forum.

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard, Doug! 

 

If you are big into research, then the Sergal SoS kit should keep you very busy. Don Dressel, a well-known member of the Ship Modelers Association ( a club in Southern California) spent ten years researching and building his own SoS build, beginning with the Sergal kit, of which he kept the false keel and transverse bulkheads and not much else. Over the course of his research he discovered that the kit departed significantly from the original in terms of armament, rigging, and hull ornamentation. I don't know whether he chronicled his findings in any publicly available medium.

 

Best of luck!

[petervisser]

Welcome to the site Doug. That is a neat and tidy Bluenose you have on the go. All the more so as the workspace on a live aboard is probably a bit less than vast. I’m in Victoria so that makes us neighbours I guess. All the best finishing your model and good luck with your next project. 
Peter

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[Jim Lad]

Hello Doug, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[vossiewulf]

[Keith Black]

 Doug, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.