Swift 1805 waterline

[petehay]

In the side view, is the waterline (for painting purposes) the heavy line that runs parallel to the keel? Does it seem kind of high up the hull?

Pete

[ccoyle]

Yes, that's the waterline. It looks about right to my eye. Those pilot schooners did not have a whole lotta freeboard!

[petehay]

Thank you. Looking for any examples of this kit being painted and weathered as opposed to using the natural wood look.

Edited December 4, 2025 by petehay

[petehay]

I see that AL’s latest incarnation of this kit suggests painting the hull. My current situation is: I am building a kit from the 1980s that was barely started and then stored in an attic for years. I picked it up on Marketplace and have completed the hull. I then hit the hull and deck with “natural “ Minwax oil based stain. Due to age, the wood pieces are very dry and the hull planking is very non-uniform from plank to plank (very stripey). 
How do I proceed to prep the hull for painting in its current state. Do I need to stick with oil paint?

Pete

 

[tmj]

Use "Birchwood Casey's 'Tru-Oil'." Give it two or three light coats of Tru-Oil, just until it starts to take on a sheen when dried, and then sand it with 400 grit sandpaper to knock off the glossy sheen and make things look proper. It'll work just fine over oil-based stains and give great character to the wood! 😉

Edited December 5, 2025 by tmj

[wefalck]

If you want to paint the hull, you probably have to stay with some organic solvent-based paint, such as oil-paint or enamels. I don’t know the composition of Minwax, but the name seems to indicate something waxy or oily.