Amazing Resource! Hello.

[Cast Off]

Hi,

 

I have recently started the 18th Century Longboat 1:48 and in my search for info I found this incredible site. So, first thanks for being here and thanks for all the info you are sharing. I also wanted to introduce myself, since I now feel like I am going to post a LOT of questions 🙂

 

As a kid I built a lot of plastic models, mostly airplanes but I did do a 3 ft Revel (?) model of Old Ironsides. Always enjoyed doing those as a kid, but 30 or more years passed before I did another one 🙂 My wood ship model experience started with Model Shipways Seabright Dory. That was about 10 yrs ago. Chose that one as I was raised in NJ and it looked simple enough to tackle. It now lives in my cousins house which is on the Jersey shore, North of Atlantic CIty! Came out pretty well, and I now know that the lapstrake planking is much more forgiving than carvel planking! (no pics of that one) My second boat was the Model Shipways Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack. Looked like a good next step and wanted to tackle some rigging. Also, I picked that one as I had spent time up in that area and the history of sailing and seamanship from that area is very interesting. Now working on the Longboat. I liked the extra rigging involved, and that era of sailing is amazing. So also seemed like a good next step. I am finding it is a BIG step 😉  That is the current wood boat model experience.

 

Other boat building experience:

I also built a plywood Nutshell Pram from Wooden Boat plans, including the sailing rig, then built the CLC Boats Oxford Rowing shell from a kit (plywood precut) and finally built the Pygmy Boats Arctic Tern kayak from plans (bought sheet goods built glued scarf joints).

 

Sailing/Boating Experience:

You can see from above I like playing in the water 🙂 and have sailed, rowed and kayaked a bit. My wife wanted to do some bareboat charters and we are fortunate enough to live near San Francisco Bay so we took a whole series of sailing lessons at the Berkeley sailing school. I don't think they are around now, but they were very, very good and very serious!! Sailed a lot of J24's and similar boats in the Bay. Also sailed in Australia, ciastal California cruising and a bit down in Mexico. Not extensive experience, just casual but gave me a feel for "the life". When I lived in long beach a friend had a Pacific Seacraft, full keel Creelock 34. That's the boat I probably have the most experience with and I lived aboard her for a year or so on that boat. Certainly not a performance boat, but she was a joy to sail and had really pleasant motion, even in the roughest seas. 

 

That's general background! 

 

(pic Nutshell Pram pic from Wooden Boat website, the other pics are my boats. I couldn't find a way to resize these pics, or post as thumbnails. Hope they are not to obnoxious)

[Ryland Craze]

Welcome to Model Ship World.  You have done a great job on the Lobster Smack and your full size boats are also works of art.  You will do just fine in this hobby.  The Longboat is a lot more difficult to build than what it looks like, but the model will turn out very nice.  I look forward to following your progress.

[JacquesCousteau]

Welcome! Very nicely done on the Lobster Smack, and great job on the full-scale boats! Starting a build log is the best way to get answers to any questions you have.

[Baker]

[Keith Black]

 Welcome to MSW. Nice photos, beautiful work. Glad to have you aboard. 

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard!

 

First of all, your smack looks very nice. I built one as my first wooden model about 25 years ago back when it was still being produced by Midwest Products. I have also built a CLC boat, their Sassafras 12 kit, which you can read about here. It was a fun project, and I'd probably do another one but for the fact that I don't have space to store it.

 

You can resize your photos by double-clicking on the inserted image to bring up an image editing window.

 

Lastly, there is a ship modeling club in your area, the South Bay Model Shipwrights. Check them out!

 

Cheers!

[CPDDET]

Welcome aboard!

[Cast Off]

@ccoyle The Sassafras looks like a great boat!!! I understand the storage issue, I'm giving my Arctic Tern to my sister because we don't use it enough and it is taking up space. On the other hand... 🙂 Im looking at the Glen L 15 as my next 1:1 scale boat !!!!!!

 

Wow, appreciate the link to the local modellers, great site and I really had no idea they existed.. It's a good site with many good links and general info for everyone.