Which kit would be better for me to make next, MS Mayflower or the Occre Cala Esmeralda

[SiriusVoyager]

For those that have experience with both manufacturers, which kit would be easier or more straight forward to build?  For the Model Shipways Mayflower, I would build it as is out of the box.  For the Esmeralda, my plan is to bash it to model the Santa Eulalia (which the kit is based off of).  It looks like the bashing shouldn't be too involved, but it would be my first real experience with any level of bashing.  The Mayflower seems like it may be a bit more complicated, but it has very thorough instructions.  The Occre kit appears to be a standard Occre build, but again, with the addition of some kit bashing.  I think the main thing I might be hung up on is rigging, a three mast square rig vs a three mast schooner (The Santa Eulalia doesn't have top sails which simplifies the rigging).  You can see what kits I have completed in my signature.   Thank you for any insights.

 

 

https://modelexpo-online.com/Model-Shipways-MAYFLOWER-1620-SCALE-176_p_1019.html

 

https://www.victoryshipmodels.com/ship-model-cala-esmeralda-wooden-static-kit-occre-topsail-schooner.html

 

 

[ccoyle]

Your dhow demonstrated that you have the skills needed to complete either of those. Which one appeals more at a visceral level?

[JacquesCousteau]

As someone who got started in this hobby after visiting the Santa Eulalia (below, a photo of the half-hull model that's hanging on the cabin wall in the actual ship), I know which one I would choose. But it really depends on what you're interested in. Which ship catches your attention more? I'd say that, if you want to try kitbashing, the Santa Eulalia would be a very good option. The Barcelona Maritime Museum has a plan set available, and there are lots of photos.

[bigcreekdad]

I'd probably skip the sails, but the lines of the Occre ship are great. 

[SiriusVoyager]

17 hours ago, ccoyle said:

Your dhow demonstrated that you have the skills needed to complete either of those. Which one appeals more at a visceral level?

Thank you Chris. That has been part of the struggle. My plan was always to do the Santa Eulalia next, but after looking at and analyzing my small stash I started to question that.  Baring someone else chiming in with a good point about either build, I will likely stick to my plan. 

 

16 hours ago, JacquesCousteau said:

As someone who got started in this hobby after visiting the Santa Eulalia (below, a photo of the half-hull model that's hanging on the cabin wall in the actual ship), I know which one I would choose. But it really depends on what you're interested in. Which ship catches your attention more? I'd say that, if you want to try kitbashing, the Santa Eulalia would be a very good option. The Barcelona Maritime Museum has a plan set available, and there are lots of photos.

 

I’m definitely interested in both and which ever I do, I will do the other next (I have both kits already). That is very cool that the Santa Eulalia is what got you into ship modeling. I haven’t seen in person, but I hope to sometime in the near future.  I believe that I have most of the info available online from the Barcelona Maritime Museum.  Most likely I will do the Santa Eulalia first, sans a compelling suggestion to do the other. I’ll try my best to do it justice! 

[grsjax]

Seems like everyone has built the Mayflower.  Go with the Occre Cala Esmeraldae for something different and interesting.

[SiriusVoyager]

58 minutes ago, grsjax said:

Seems like everyone has built the Mayflower.  Go with the Occre Cala Esmeraldae for something different and interesting.

Thanks, that is definitely my thought as well.  My main concern was more about build complexity.