18th Century Longboat by Cast Off - Model Shipways - 1:48

[Cast Off]

Yup, another longboat build log!! Actually, I have almost completed my build, but decided to do a build log anyway. I did not start one when I began the build because there were so many good ones out there and I did not feel that a beginners log would be very interesting. I changed my mind since the forum seems to encourage build logs, and as a beginner maybe the mistakes I made could help someone avoid them 🙂 So, this will not be a very detailed or expansive log as many of those particulars are covered by better builders and as I am almost finished I have limited photos to share as I did not intend to create a log. 

 

 

 A couple general tips I would like to start with:

- Read the entire instruction manual before you start. You don't have to understand it all, but at least scan it so you know the general steps. Why? Because many early steps will impact the build later on. An example, knowing that sections of the bow or stern will be covered by lockers let's you know you don't have to angst over a detail that will be hidden. The expert builders may disagree 😉 

- For me, I found building a lot of pieces before assembly really helped. I built all/most of the thwarts, decks, lockers etc... before I ever glued anything in. I made all the standing rigging all at once, and had all blocks ready before adding any rigging. Sometimes seemed tedious, but I liked being able do a build session with everything ready.

- Also, I tried to pre-paint and pre-stain everything BEFORE gluing them up. Even though some pieces would still be sanded or faired I only had to touch up places. I think the instructions do painting after the core of the internals are in, but it is so much easier to do before. That's also where knowing the next few steps let's you adapt.

- I used a lot of CA glue, probably out of impatience, but it always showed glossy and discolored all the lines. Next time I'll use more diluted PVA glue. This seems to require a slower build, but results may be better. YMMV.

- If you want to add a bit more detail to your build, take a look at the larger version of this model. I think it is called the "Armed Longboat". There are a few things slightly different.

 

First of all, I really, really like this boat!! I saw discussion around debating if this is a "beginner" model or not. As a beginner, I do think this is a big step up, it is challenging but very doable, and approachable because it requires a lot of new skills, but is not overwhelming. For example, if you are struggling making a rope coil, you only have to get one or two right, not a hundred! The clarification I would advise is this is not a "Novice" build, but is a rewarding challenge for a "Beginner". I already think that I like these smaller boats, they don't seem as daunting as a years long project, I can pick it up and handle it to get into small, tight spaces, and maybe I like the tiny small scale work. Many thanks to Chuck, and shout out for some more small models like this 🙂 One thing I discovered with this model is I like rigging! I don't really like planking 🙂 Let's get started!

Part 1: Framing

Seemed pretty straightforward to get the frames straight, parallel and flat across the top. See other build logs. Do pay attention to the rabbet in the keel, this is were the edge of planks will fit in and help hold them and hide the edges. I kind of tested the rabbett by just laying the side of a straight plank in it.  I Pre-stained the frames before gluing them up on the keel with Minwax water based English Oak, full strength.

 

Here is one of my first mistakes. Impatience. I was very excited to get started and did not spend enough time on fairing the frames and REALLY paying attention to laying down that first plank. I don't think I have enough shear and it gets a bit flat at the bow. The shear is not smooth and I think this caused trouble for the rest of the planking. Regarding planking: none of my attempts to pre-bend the planks worked. I did not like this part of the build. It was very frustrating and I almost stopped right here. I tried heating, clamping, bending , steaming before mounting... Just about everything I could find online and I always ended up with a kink in some section of my planks. or the curve would bulge and gap. Also, trying to draw, or lay out plank lines, and plank calculations didn't work out well. So, I ended up using a brute force method by gluing the planks onto one or two frames at a time. I did this by wetting down the plank like a sponge, then massaging and twisting it into place. Ugh. I do NOT like planking. Fortunately I have lots of sandpaper, though this small boat has very thin planks. BTW, I was also worried I would run out of planks from the kit because I had ruined so many. Not so, the kit has lots of extras. So, I pushed through and assumed I would hide the mistakes somehow.

Note: I did prestain all planks. I used Minwax water based English Oak, full strength. 

I don't have a lot of modelling tools, most beginners won't, so I adapted paper clips, rubber bands and modified clothes pins I saw in other build posts. Jamming a scrap stick under the large paper clips actually worked very well.

 

Laying the first Garboard plank also felt tricky. I had no idea where it should end and this plank drives the bend and location of all planks above it. What worked for me was examining other post pictures and guessing 🙂 I ended up ending it at about the third frame in (see pic). The other tip is to give it a long taper and build the second plank at the same time to be sure it can follow that taper. After that I layed down all the planks from the top. I tried laying down tape for all the planks, but that didn't work well. I simply measured my remaining gap and divided by the width of the planks in the kit. I wanted to make sure that I would not have a 1 mm plank to fit in as the last plank. I turns out I may have, but there was a wider plank supplied in the kit (for floorboards I think) and I was able to use file and sand that oversize one as the last plank. Thank goodness that part was done!

 

The instructions say to file the frame molds off the frame. I found this tiny saw online and got a couple. It worked well to separate the frames, and to trim them flush with the shear strake.

 

I used a combination of dremel sanding bits and steel grinders to get rid of the laser char and smooth out the keel and frame junctions. The frames and planks were pre-stained so I only had to touch up the tops of the frames after sanding. If you zoom in on this pic you can see a plank that is slightly off color. That is the oversized plank I shaped to fit in as the last plank. You can see it is kind of wobbly, fat in the center and thin towards the ends. But it worked! I knew that its near the bottom, would be below the water line and painted, so in reality will never be seen.

 

 

Next stop... Interior bits...

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Cast Off