birchbaysider Posted April 7, 2014 #1 Posted April 7, 2014 I had a build log of Pilar before the content was lost and wanted to repost the photos. Pilar was Ernest Hemingway’s faithful yacht, notorious for chasing big Marlin, Tuna and German u-boats. Many people call it The Pilar or El Pilar, but it is just Pilar. I posted a history of Pilar on the Nautical History Forum for those who are interested. The plans come with color photos The kit includes Lime, Ayous, Mansonia, Mukali & Sapele First step is to fix the bulkheads to the keel. Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 8, 2014 Author #2 Posted April 8, 2014 I know the importance of the frame being perfectly straight, so I wanted to come up with a jig that would keep the keel from twisting and at 90 degrees to the bulkheads. Keeping the keel straight Fixing the bulkheads Bulkheads fixed Frame complete Next will be to plank and attach the bridge deck. jargat, yvesvidal and Timothy Wood 3 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 9, 2014 Author #3 Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) I decided to alternate Mansonia and Sapele veneer to plank the bridge deck. Bridge deck planked and attached Hemingway ordered Pilar with the back 10 feet of the stern lowered 1 foot for fishing, so the main deck is 2 pieces. Aft main deck reinforcements attached Bending aft main deck Aft main deck attached Fore main deck attached Main decks attached Next will be to fair the frame in preparation for planking. Edited April 10, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut and yvesvidal 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 10, 2014 Author #4 Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Frame faired and ready to plank with Balsa filler blocks at the bow Attaching garboard strake alongside keel Attaching sheer strake Since Pilar's stern had been lowered 1 foot for fishing, the first strake from the top to extend the length of the hull would be the third one down. Garboard & sheer strakes attached Next will be to take some measurements and plan how to finish planking the hull. Edited April 10, 2014 by birchbaysider yvesvidal and hexnut 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 11, 2014 Author #5 Posted April 11, 2014 (edited) I put temporary battens in place and marked the positions with tape. Due to the shape of the hull, the way the planks wanted to naturally lay was to pile up on top of each other near the bow, so I thought this boat would be a challenge to plank. But since almost every plank needed to be tapered one half width at the bow they were easy to bend into position. Temporary batten Temporary battens position marked with tape First strake next to the garboard Halfway Near finished Planking complete Hull sanded and ready to paint Next step will be work on the stem and keel. Edited April 12, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut and yvesvidal 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
yvesvidal Posted April 11, 2014 #6 Posted April 11, 2014 Very nice. I like this boat. It is a classic. Yves Quote
d'brat Posted April 11, 2014 #7 Posted April 11, 2014 You make planking look like a piece o' cake. Very impressive. Quote D'Brat Current Build - Bluenose II - AL In the wings - HMS Supply - AL
birchbaysider Posted April 12, 2014 Author #8 Posted April 12, 2014 Cutting the rabbet for the stem took some time getting it straight, the right depth and width so there would be no gaps. Rabbet cut, stem bent & keel planked with Mansonia veneer Planking the aft main deck with Sapele veneer Planking the fore main deck Main deck planked I built the display stand to hold the hull steady while marking the waterline. Display stand planked with Sapele veneer Brewed some joe & marked the waterline Next will be to start construction of the cabin. hexnut, justsayrow and bhermann 3 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 13, 2014 Author #9 Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) Planking cabin sides Visible portions of cabin & bridge parts planked Attaching cabin sides Bridge window frame & cabin front planked & attached Next will be to construct the cabin roof. Edited April 13, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut, bhermann and yvesvidal 3 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 14, 2014 Author #10 Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Cabin roof attached Planking cabin roof Cabin roof completed The bridge console frame had to be carefully shaped to fit in place and then removed for completion. Bridge console Cabin door made from varying grain types of Sapele strips with some decorative carving Completed bridge console Next up will be to add some edge trim and varnish everything topside. Edited April 14, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut and yvesvidal 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 15, 2014 Author #11 Posted April 15, 2014 (edited) Mansonia edge trim & window frames installed Poop deck supports attached & everything topside varnished I had some Sapele veneer from a previous build that was a different grain type than the veneer that was supplied with this kit and alternated them on the cabin roof. Sapele veneer Cabin roof Next will be to construct the seats and complete the bridge. Edited April 16, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut 1 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
HIPEXEC Posted April 15, 2014 #12 Posted April 15, 2014 Great job! Quote Rich Rich USS Constitution by hipexec (Finished build) Virginia Pilot Boat 1805 (gallery - first build) USS Syren (USS Argus) by Hipexec Joshua Slocum's Spray by HIPEXEC
birchbaysider Posted April 16, 2014 Author #13 Posted April 16, 2014 (edited) Bench seats Captain's chair Fish fightin' chair I thought that Pilar needed a gaff hook to land all those big Marlin and Tuna so I fished a barbless hook out of my tackle box and made one trying to make it look well used. Gaff hook with wrapped handle for improved grip Bridge completed Next will be to build the hatch frames and complete the poop deck. Edited April 17, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut 1 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 17, 2014 Author #14 Posted April 17, 2014 (edited) Hatch frames Poop deck frame Poop deck frame attached Poop deck underside I installed the acetate windows and kept accidentally poking them out, so I put some temporary covers over them. Poop deck attached Mast frame, anchor cover, companionway door & lid installed Next will be to paint the hull. Edited April 17, 2014 by birchbaysider Timothy Wood and hexnut 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 18, 2014 Author #15 Posted April 18, 2014 (edited) Originally, Hemingway ordered the hull to be painted black. After a few years he had the hull re-planked with Mahogany and it was left all natural above the waterline. The kit shows white below the waterline with all natural wood above. The restored Pilar in Cuba has a red, yellow and black hull with green and natural wood above deck. The pilar replica in Florida has red and black below the waterline with natural wood and green above. Early years of Pilar at sea Restored Pilar in Cuba Pilar replica in Florida I like this color scheme because of the contrast between the white, black, red waterline and natural Sapele wood. Next will be to construct the flying bridge. Edited April 18, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut and Timothy Wood 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
jspector Posted April 19, 2014 #16 Posted April 19, 2014 This is a wonderful visual diary of a beautiful build. As I get ready for the next steps with the Pilar, I want to thank you for taking the time to reconstruct your log. Quote "Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence." - Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
birchbaysider Posted April 19, 2014 Author #17 Posted April 19, 2014 Thanks for the comment, Jon. There's not much info on this kit and I wanted to share my build log with others who are interested in this famous American fishing boat. Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 19, 2014 Author #18 Posted April 19, 2014 (edited) I'm not fond of working with metal, so the flying bridge was a challenge. Marking holes to be drilled for the flying bridge Installing flying bridge railing supports As you can see in the photo, Pilar actually had six galvanized pipes running from the bridge up through the poop deck to the flying bridge, but the model has two. Hemingway at the helm Flying bridge platform made from Mansonia strips Flying bridge complete I alternated grain types of Sapele veneer on the poop deck like on the cabin roof and I think it turned out looking fine. Next step will be to work on the skylight, prop and rudder and small metal components. Edited April 21, 2014 by birchbaysider hexnut 1 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 20, 2014 Author #19 Posted April 20, 2014 I painted the cabin roof black below the skylight to give the impression that the dark cabin is below. Skylight Lights, cross bitt & air shafts painted Port holes, air shafts & position light The model has one prop, but Pilar actually had twin screws. Hemingway ordered the boat with a 40 hp 4-cylinder Lycoming engine for trolling in addition to the standard 75 hp Chrysler Crown reduction gear engine. Prop & rudder Nameplate, stern roller, stern cleats & live well frame MarisStella.hr and hexnut 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
wq3296 Posted April 20, 2014 #20 Posted April 20, 2014 Greetings Scott, Nice model of Pilar. Wooden Boat magazine did an in depth article on her recently. I wish I had kept that issue. After seeing your build, I will be getting the kit soon. It will be good to get away from spars, guns, rigging, etc. for a while. She looks to be not much more than 24", so she is a good size too. I might try to model an engine for her as well. If remember the article, her main engine was a gasoline fueled flat head straight 6 cylinder, but she also had a smaller engine for trolling. Very interesting model and I give credit to Constructo for manufacturing the kit. Also, your work on her is top notch. wq3296 Quote
wq3296 Posted April 21, 2014 #21 Posted April 21, 2014 Greetings Scott, Relative to your message, the Wooden Boat issue in question could have been as far back as Sept.-Oct., Nov.-Dec. of '13. Yes, library will be a good option. wq3296 Quote
wq3296 Posted April 21, 2014 #22 Posted April 21, 2014 Greetings Scott, I seem to remember that the article said the bridge steering wheel was from a Model T Ford. wq3296 Quote
birchbaysider Posted April 21, 2014 Author #23 Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the info. The article is in the July/August 2013 issue of Woodenboat Magazine. I put a hold on it at my local library. When Hemingway had the flying bridge added it came with a Model T steering wheel. Edited April 21, 2014 by birchbaysider Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
wq3296 Posted April 21, 2014 #24 Posted April 21, 2014 Greetings Scott, I found an article online at www.woodenboatrepair.com. There is a picture of the Pilar replica showing the running gear. It is quite different from what the Constructo plans might show and truer to how she was built. You will note that the propeller shaft extends from the keel and is closer to horizontal, and that the shaft support is a casting. Further, the rudder is part of this skeg assembly, which is the way she would have been built. It looks as though Constructo was playing it by ear when they designed the running gear. wq3296 Quote
wq3296 Posted April 21, 2014 #25 Posted April 21, 2014 Scoot, Make that woodenboatrepair.com/articles/woodenboat0713.pdf Quote
birchbaysider Posted April 21, 2014 Author #26 Posted April 21, 2014 Thanks for the link. I've included it in my post on Pilar in the Nautical History Forum. Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
birchbaysider Posted April 22, 2014 Author #27 Posted April 22, 2014 (edited) Pilar is finished, but sometime I would like to add outriggers and make it a real fishing boat. I'm gonna need a bigger boat Edited April 22, 2014 by birchbaysider GrandpaPhil and hexnut 2 Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
wq3296 Posted April 22, 2014 #28 Posted April 22, 2014 Greetings Scott, Really like the paint job and precise work. Good job. If you like older power boats, take a look at BlueJacket's 1941 Chris Craft mahogany runabout. wq3296 Quote
birchbaysider Posted April 22, 2014 Author #29 Posted April 22, 2014 Thanks for the compliment. BlueJacket's Runabout looks like a great kit, but way out of my price range. Quote Scott Present Build AL's "King of the Mississippi" Future Build AL's "San Francisco II" AL's "Sanson" Previous Builds Constructo's "Louise" (Victorian Steam Launch) Constructo's "Pilar" (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Boat) Midwest's "Maine Peapod"
hexnut Posted April 23, 2014 #30 Posted April 23, 2014 Your version looks a lot better than the Constructo box photo. Beautiful finish. Quote Regards, Bob Marvin Muscongus bay Lobster Smack -Midwest- 1:24- (1st wooden build) Gertrude L. Thebaud Mini-Mamoli 1/200 kitbash
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