Charles W Morgan by Brucealanevans - FINISHED - Model Shipways

[Landlubber Mike]

Tryworks came out really nice Bruce.  The color for the bricks looks really good.

[Brucealanevans]

Here's the finished tryworks sitting but not cemented to the deck.

The chicken coop is a bit clunky, but overall I'm fairly pleased.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[texxn5]

Looks nice Bruce - moving right along

[achuck49]

Super job...I have one in the box that I should start.

 

It is a bit late in the build for this question, however, when planking the ship, did you use 'shorter' pieces or one long piece of wood.  From studying your photos it looks like short cut lengths.

 

Chuck A. 

[Brucealanevans]

Chuck

I used short pieces, usually spanning 5 bulwarks, and offset by one Bulwark from the previous line.

As suggested in the instructions. Much easier to spile smaller pieces.

[Jimz66]

Bruce very nicely done..... I live not far from where she is. 

[Brucealanevans]

Going to visit in April - camera at the ready!

[homer]

Hi Bruce, I recently started my Charles Morgan and will be watching your build as you're further along than I am! I just finished planking the hull and using some Hobby Lite to fill some low spots and any seam openings. I plan on coppering the hull. I'm not going to use shiny copper plates. I like the look of the hull pattern on the box cover and have tested many things to get similar copper colors. I know it isn't true to form but I really like the look. And, believe it or not, I found a Charles Morgan in a museum that had a similar color scheme on the hull! I asked Frank at Model Expo who built the one on the box and how they got the effect. He wasn't positive but thought the builder used a paper/cardboard stock with paint!!! I'm still testing the colors on the copper and will soon be involved in that application! 

 

When you write about some of the shipyard accidents you have had I can relate!!! I'm 58 and it seems I can be careful putting my hand into a delicate position. It's the pulling it away and smashing things att he same time that is upsetting!!! Glad I'm not the only one. You're doing a nice job and I'm almost ready to upload some more of my build pics. Talk to you soon. Ron 

[Brucealanevans]

Windlass finished, placed but not cemented.

After I finish the rest of the hatch covers, companionways, etc. and check that I've drilled holes for all of the eyebolts and so on where I need clearance for the drill, I'm going to put a clear matte coat on the deck and glue all this stuff in place.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[texxn5]

Nice Windlass Bruce, keep up the good work.

[Guest Tim I.]

Looking good.

 

- Tim

[rafine]

Beautiful work on the windlass Bruce.

 

Bob

[Brucealanevans]

I was just going to glue down what I had finished, but ended up doing substantial work on the forward deck to make sure everything fit appropriately.

This involved fitting the bowsprit so I could locate the bowsprit bitts and make sure there was clearance for the windlass and associated structures. I decided to go ahead and put in the anchor deck frame and ladders for the same reason. Once that was done I couldn't stop myself, so I planked the anchor deck - which meant I had to finish and paint the bowsprit - , added the bowsprit boom chock and the breasthook. After gluing in the forward companionway, hatch, and tryworks, I finished the aft hatch and companionway, and the 3 bitts for the cutting in tackle.

You can see in the whole deck view that most of the deck is finished with a satin poly; I like the look.

The skylight is just sitting in place - I won't glue that until the aft structues are done.

Next is the steering gear, and then the hurricane house.

Edited April 12, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[texxn5]

Very nice Bruce, sharp and crisp. Really looking good.

[Guest Tim I.]

Bruce,

 

Your Morgan is very well done. I am enjoying following your log.

 

- Tim

[Mirabell61]

Lovely build Bruce,

 

the Fitting out of deck Details is super looking, I love that whale-blubber cooker,

also the lav. houses, the pump-Spill, and others...

 

Nils

[Brucealanevans]

Time for another update.

When drilling out the anchor chain pipes to the deck, I came across a nice chain in the proper scale and decided to add the whole anchor chain. Which meant building the anchors.

Bluejacket has a nice blackening solution that's branded for pewter but works well on Brittania metal - used that for the anchors; replaced the metal kit crossbar with a fabricated wood one.

The tie-down chain is very small - I had quite a time getting a thread through one to the links to fasten them down, and to pass a small metal bar through the opposite end end link to hold the chain at a hole (cathead) or eyebolt (bulkhead tiedown at the anchor pad). My wife's old surgical loupes to the rescue once again.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[Brucealanevans]

Added the steering wheel gear and fabricated the aft deck houses. I found it easiest to build the houses from 1/32nd thick sheet section by section, and plank them over with a bit of spacing between planks to get the proper look.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[texxn5]

Coming along nicely Bruce. You'll be catching up with me soon. Good to see your updates.

John

[Brucealanevans]

Well, John, after following your build log site, I'm now concerned - in advance - about successfully seizing the entirety of the shroud stays.

I do have the machine, but the task seems daunting.

However, I don't expect to be worrying about that for at least a month or two. Will be asking for advice. Your work on the rigging is truly impressive.

Hope to see the Morgan in person later this month, camera in hand.

Bruce

[chborgm]

John

Being a newbe to the site what "machine" were you referring to?

Clarence

[jwvolz]

Very nice clean work Bruce. I hope to start my own Morgan in a few months when I wrap up my current build. 

[texxn5]

Hi Bruce, I'm assuming you have Alexey's Serving Machine. It takes some practice to use, but it will do the job. The hardest part it holding the rope to be served tight. Sometimes I was serving a rope with the same size winding - gets interesting real fast. You have to start it with a needle and end it with a needle also. It is challenging by all means, but very do-able. Once you try it I think you will be just fine. Enjoy seeing the Morgan, I wish I could go back soon, but not sure. I am always available for assistance, so just email me and I'll do whatever I can do, and if that doesn't work we can always chat by phone, but I think with your skill level you won't have any problems and there are some videos available both from Alexey and utube.

John

[texxn5]

Hi Clarence, I think Bruce is referring to a serving machine built by Alexey Domanoff. I show it in detail on my website with links on how to buy it. Alexey is a friend and lives in Belarus and constructs a very good SErving Machine. These are used on the shrouds when you start to do the Standing Rigging. You can see it's use on my website under Standing Rigging. I am hanging yards right now and am at the Running Rigging Stage. Sorry Bruce, didn't mean to hijack your log, just answering a question. Clarence, contact me if you have questions I can help you with. My site: http://www.charleswmorganmodel.com

John

[Brucealanevans]

Hurricane House now completed and skylight glued in place.

Next, the deck house, vegtable bin, and roof.

Pretty pleased, although a few measurements and angles, especially the transom and aft bulwarks, are off.

Edited May 20, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[texxn5]

Wow, very impressive Bruce, really looks nice. For me it was a really fun little project, and really helps her start looking like a ship. Nicely done.

John

[homer]

Beautiful work Bruce. I'm still working on mine and need to upload into my build log. I spent most of today working on the ship. Admittedly I had to set it aside for six weeks or so. It's just been so busy here and I haven't been able to give her the attention she deserves. 

[Brucealanevans]

Just back from a trip to Mystic to visit the Morgan.

Took a ton of pictures.

Going to add a few details to the Hurricane House before I move on -

Sliding wood shutter for the starboard window into the galley

Latches for the Galley forward serving hatch.

[Brucealanevans]

Deck House -

Left the door open partially, and put the berth inside (with gingham sheet!)

Really can't see it unless you peer in very closely, but was fun.

 

Decided not to plank the roof, since it will be covered by the boat bearing platform.

Which is the next job.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Bruce Evans

[texxn5]

Looks really nice Bruce. I really like Mrs. Temkin's cabin. I didn't think about the inside detail until I was finished with it and it was glued to the deck and covered up. Oh well, like you said it's mostly covered up and hard to see. You'll be catching up with me soon at the rate you are going....keep it up - looking good.

John