Seguin by Phil B - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 1:48

[Phil B]

I started building my model of the Seguin a few nights ago. I read through Rods entire build that he posted a number of years ago. It gave me the courage to get this project started as I have had the kit for quite a few years. I remember seeing a built-up version of the Seguin in a hobby shop many, many years ago with my father and always thought that it was a grand vessel. So here I am taking a stab at it. I know some have failed but I do have some experience in building model ship kits and scratch building. So armed with Rods excellent build log I feel pretty confident that I can do it. Here is a picture after a few nights works. Wish me luck!

[Jim Lad]

That's a fine looking tug, Phil. Should build into a nice model.

 

John

[schooner]

Good luck with your build.  

Take your time with that stern post assembly - it is more complicated than it seems, it might be worthwhile to tape together the parts that make it up until you are sure you have it right before glueing it together. If you look at my build log bear in mind that my sternpost had to be heavily modified to accept a stern tube for an RC setup, yours will not need those modifications but it is still a bit of  a 3-D puzzle 

Edited November 5 by schooner

[Phil B]

Thanks Tim! I appreciate any advice anyone has for me.  I just finished reading through your entire Seguin build.  You did a fantastic job documenting the process.  It will provide a ton of valuable resources as I work through this build.  To be honest, I'm really a scratch builder and plans and instructions and nautical terminology is something I find somewhat intimidating.  But in spite of my "kit neurosis," I am am going to give this all I got.  With you and Rods builds I feel like I have a decent chance of completing the project.

 

Wish me Luck!

 

Phil

[Dr PR]

How about posting a picture of what you are building so we know whether it is a coal barge or a battleship?

[Phil B]

Phil, there's a photo of the boat at the start of the thread. Sorry you missed it.

 

Since the Seguin's build has been described at least twice on this group I will refrain from doing that a third time. The quality of the work on the previous two builds I'm sure will be far superior than my own efforts. So instead I will focus on posting occasional photos and showing the group the progress as I move along, gladly accepting any comments or suggestions as I move through the build.

 

Phil B

[Phil B]

Here is the ship as she is looking this morning. I just started the planking process. Unlike some of the previous builds that did a lot of steaming and soaking of pieces to make them more pliable, I literally manhandled them into position and using an abundance of super glue and clamps was able to make the curves more or less acceptable

[Jim Lad]

She's coming along nicely, Phil.

 

John

[Phil B]

Thanks John. I appreciate your comment. Super glue makes everything go fast, sometimes too fast. Since the photo was taken. I've gotten half of the planking done.

Phil B

[JacquesCousteau]

Nice start!

 

11 hours ago, Phil B said:

Since the Seguin's build has been described at least twice on this group I will refrain from doing that a third time. The quality of the work on the previous two builds I'm sure will be far superior than my own efforts. So instead I will focus on posting occasional photos and showing the group the progress as I move along, gladly accepting any comments or suggestions as I move through the build.

 

For what it's worth, posting in some detail can actually be really helpful, not just for yourself, but for anyone else who builds this model. Maybe you'll come across different challenges than other logs described, or resolve them in different ways. Don't sell the quality of your work short!

[Phil B]

Thanks Jacques. I'll keep that in mind. I figured most people would find it boring to see the same build described for at least the third time.

[Phil B]

Continuing the planking process. I forgot to install the propeller before I put the garboards in position, so as a consequence I had to cut out a slot to fit the propeller shaft into. Then I just filled it in with a little filler.

[Phil B]

The planking is done except for the stern. Now starts the endless job of sanding, sanding sanding.

[Jim Lad]

now she looks like a ship, Phil!

 

John

[Phil B]

Thanks Jim. Right now with all the sanding and filling, she's a mighty dirty ship!

[Phil B]

Planking, filling and sanding are done. I like to put a coat of epoxy on to help smooth her out and provide a good base for the Rust-Oleum paints that are coming next.

[palmerit]

On 11/11/2025 at 8:25 AM, Phil B said:

Thanks Jacques. I'll keep that in mind. I figured most people would find it boring to see the same build described for at least the third time.

I agree that it's useful having lots of build logs of the same model. In fact, I recommend people starting out to pick models with lots of build logs. While some are really good about giving lots of detail, writing them almost as full tutorials, even the lesser detailed and less frequent logs are useful. Someone might hit a new problem and come up with a new solution. Someone might take a photo of a step that a more detailed log left out. Sometimes someone does a build log who has lots of experience and does not have the same issues that someone with less experience might have. And selfishly, I like just being able to document my builds. Sometimes I give details or talk about what I've done to solve a problem. Other times it's just an update with a few photos. It's nice to see the projection for each model I build, even if no one else ever builds that model and finds other build logs more useful.

[Phil B]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Palmerit.

Phil

[rvchima]

Hi Phil,

I just noticed that you had started your build, and I will follow along. That hull is really hard to plank, with only a few frames and one layer. It looks like you're off to a good start.

Rod

[Phil B]

Thanks Rod. I am using your build and Schooners build for some guidance. BTW- I noticed that the 3 of us are all out of NC! Theres a coincidence 😁

[Phil B]

While waiting for the epoxy to dry I figured I would stain the decks. I used my trusted go to stain, Minwax Golden Oak. For some variety, i have a darker stain that can on the deck houses. I tossed around the idea of adding nail holes but I decided against that. Really not visible in this scale (unless they are bleeding rust). 

  I also epoxyed the oak display stand that i put through Dad's old router table a few days ago. Pedestals were ordered yesterday. More on that when they arrive.

Phil

[Jim Lad]

The deck looks good, Phil.

 

John