How do you all choose your next build?

[Meekes]

As the title suggests, I’m curious how everyone here picks their next model ship project.

 

Do you go for something with strong historical significance? A vessel with a certain prestige or aesthetic that just speaks to you? Or do you choose based on the level of challenge, either because you want to push your skills or because you want something more comfortable and relaxing?

 

I’m asking because I’m currently stuck between two kits from OcCre: Shackleton’s Endurance and La Candelaria.

 

The Endurance has such a well-recorded and compelling history behind it, which makes the build feel like it would carry more personal meaning.
But La Candelaria, on the other hand, is the more beautiful ship in my eyes even without its accurate history, though that also means it might be a bit more challenging.

 

I’d love to hear how you all decide what your next build will be, and what factors matter most to you when choosing.

[palmerit]

I’ve been picking some simpler smaller models since I’m still a relative novice. I’ve also picked some that have lots of build logs or YouTube videos to learn something new from. 

 

At first I planned to go big, bold, beautiful and complex right away but then decided to do some simpler models first. I bought the Occre Endurance for my stash (its look and its history), the Vanguard Duchess (its look and it’s a more complicated Vanguard Model), and Pavel Nikitin’s Oseberg (it's cool looking, different from most other models, and history), and my boys bought me the Model Shipways Syren - it’ll be a while before I get to these since I still have some other “simpler” models in my stash (and that I’m currently building). 
 

I often have a few projects going on in parallel. I’ll work on one while others have glue or paint drying, or if one of them have steps that will require a more complicated bit of work. 

Edited 18 hours ago by palmerit

[robert952]

I go back to the basic concept of what is of interest to me. I temper that with a bit of what will I learn or get better at skill set-wise.

 

I won't be surprised if I pick out a non-ship model plastic model (or even metal) in the future as variety is the spice of life. I know I need to relearn and improve my plastic assembly, detailing and painting skills. So, that may be in my future, too.  

[GrandpaPhil]

I choose by whatever is neat and looks interesting to me at the time.

[Rich Sloop]

How do I choose my next build?  By my final objective - the HMS Centurion.  I had no experience in model ships before last July.  Actually, no experience in any modeling (Does Estes Model Rockets from my early youth count? Or are they models or simply toilet tubes with wings?).  

 

I anticipate Centurion will either be a scratch-built project or, if a kit evolves, it will be on the expert level.   In preparation to tackle the Centurion, I have tried to select each build to slowly advance new skills and techniques that will make me a viable model shipwright for this project.  The ships I have chosen for the queue are all mid to late 18th century. There aren't enough early 18th-century British ships for my needs.  I have started with the Vanguard Sherbourne, experimenting with multiple planking techniques, different photo etch prep processes, trialing various paints, and testing different tools.  My first Sherbourne is almost ready to rig, with another 2 Vanguard kits waiting.  I hope that after completing these three kits, I will do a 'kit bash' project to sample some scratch building challenges.  I regularly watch YouTube and read this site.  Everything is selected to enable me to take on the anticipated complexity of the Centurion.  Any effort that helps me prep for the phantom kit or a scratch build is the next build!  

[woodartist]

I am a newbie too, I have only been doing this for four years. I try and find a new boat that will force me to learn some new skills and reinforce the skills already learned. 

[tmj]

I choose things that interest 'ME'! I do 'NOT' choose thing that interest 'others' more than 'ME'!

You need to really like what you're working on if you plan to enjoy it and do a good job on it.

You also need to know your current skill level and not exceed that less you seek certain failure.

So... how do you choose a ship to build? You find something that appeals to 'you', something that you're capable of... and you build it! 

Edited 15 hours ago by tmj

[palmerit]

I’ve learned that even doing a next model at the “same level” as ones I’ve done gives me an opportunity to try something new or get better at something I wasn’t happy with in an earlier model. The peapod I’m working on now is small but has some tricky thin planking. The scow schooner gave me a chance at “kit bashing” in its simplest form - I planked the deck instead of drawing pencil lines. I did a little “kit bashing” with the crabbing skiff, correcting for some ugly mistakes in the model. On both, I tried some different approaches to masking and airbrushing. And the Zulu is one more step to getting a little better with strip planking. I suppose I could just jump up to a $500-1000 kit that would take 2-3 years or more to build, but I’m preferring now to hone my skills and try new things on a model that I wouldn’t be upset throwing in the trash. I’ve almost done that with the peapod a couple of times. With these small kits, I haven’t found the need to have the kind of passion for the subject matter that I’d need for a model that would be a several year commitment. For now my passion is in learning new skills and turning off the part of my brain I need to use in my stressful day job. 

Edited 15 hours ago by palmerit

[GGibson]

44 minutes ago, tmj said:

So... how do you choose a ship to build? You find something that appeals to 'you', something that you're capable of... and you build it! 

 

And keep reminding yourself... "It's a journey, not a race to finish."  Best wishes and have fun!

[manning16]

WW1 Emergency Fleet OKESA found me.. I used pics from Okesabuilders log..scratch built in mahogany, ebony bass and cherry..Brass bits from Ages of Sail...forgotten, lovely  ship with a short, but interesting history.

 

[tmj]

52 minutes ago, palmerit said:

I haven’t found the need to have the kind of passion for the subject matter that I’d need for a model that would be a several year commitment.

I can relate to that 110%! I'm currently playing with a simple "Launch That Never Was!" An easy little build just for fun and relaxation! I'll go back to the 'other' stuff next year! 🙂

[Paul Jarman]

With my previous wooden models i chose ships that i liked the look of. And I built the Amati wooden model of Titanic because I had a built 5 plastic Revell kits over the years and wanted to build a more challenging model.

I am currently building HMS Hood so have chosen to build models of Bismarck, Prinz Eugen and HMS Prince of Wales because of the historical connection of the four ships.

[ccoyle]

18 hours ago, Meekes said:

or aesthetic that just speaks to you

 

This. 👆

[knightyo]

I choose the model in my closet that I have the most guilt for not yet having finished.

 

Alan

Edited 14 minutes ago by knightyo