Puritan by johncole - Mamoli - 1/50 scale - 1885 America's Cup

[egkb]

Looking well Snazzy John, you were up to the challenge ! 

 

Should look a treat when you have her painted.

 

Be Good

 

Eamonn

[johncole]

Thank you Eamonn, it's much more enjoyable than my first build (AL Swift) because I took away some good lessons. I have so much more to learn, and this site is really a gem in seeing how others accomplish their art.

 

I did get a few more things done. The lower keel area of the hull had copper sheets nailed and soldered, creating a very smooth finish. I simulated this by using aluminum tape (it will be painted over), scored to simulated the seams. 

 

Also, while the kit castings are pretty good, the cross tree (?) at the bow is kind of bulky and curved, so I carved a new one from holly. BTW, I really love this wood! I learned about it from Dirk's MS Syren build.

John

 

[johncole]

Sand, seal, prime, sand some more.

WHAT??? This can't be MY hull!! It's full of small pin holes and seams! Dab on some spot putty, sand some more, it's getting better. Repeat this three more times, OK good, it's getting better..  (I wanted to preserve a hint of wood grain under the finish, but I'm not so sure now).  

 

I'm definitely getting a clear appreciation for the other builders on this site.

 

I think it's ready for paint!

John

 

 

[GuntherMT]

I really like that cradle you built.  Looks like it provides great support.

[Mirabell61]

John,

 

the hull Looks great so far, the "Puritan" sure has very nice lines I like

 

Nils

[trippwj]

Very nice job - the surface looks very clean now.

[johncole]

Thank you Mates. 

 

Today I set up my airbrush and applied some paint to the hull. It came out OK, and I kind of like the slightly irregular surface. I didn't want it to look like a smooth plastic hull. Well, no problem there!

 

Next up, I need to establish the water line and apply red lead paint.

John

 

[Mirabell61]

Wonderful !

 

Nils

[lamarvalley]

I just happened upon your build John. Very nice work and I too love that cradle.

 

I had not heard of the Puritan before… that may be one that falls onto my short list of to do's and now I've pulled up a chair to watch what happens next. 

[johncole]

Thank you gents. I like how it's coming together, but that's not to say I haven't made some mistakes! Previous modeling experience helps me recover from them.

 

I got the waterline figured out, then masked and painted the 'red lead' below. 

 

Next up, getting the centerboard finished. That will complete the hull, then it's on to the deck details (YES).

John

 

 

[captainbob]

What lovely lines.  She’s a trophy just as she is.

 

Bob

[johncole]

Thank you Bob, such nice words from an excellent craftsman. And thanks for the likes, it's quite humbling with this group!

 

I finished the centerboard last evening. The kit supplies this rather large chunk of cast metal, the purpose is to help with ballast for a functioning model. The full size boat also used a ballasted centerboard, so I figured I could shape this casting up to work out ok on my model. Foil tape simulates the copper leading edge.

 

Note: I did learn that the centerboard should probably be another 5-6 ft long, but I caught it too late. Also, the shape (according to the Mayflower) might also be changed. I've got a list of changes for my next Puritan. 8-)

John

 

 

 

 

 

[johncole]

I've been working on the deck furniture and fittings, while discovering just how much time it takes me to complete a particular part. Do I even need to mention the do-overs?? ;-)

There's a common native tree here in N. Calif called manzanita. It's very twisty, dense, hard wood. I gathered a few small dead limbs and made some lumber. It's not really suitable for much, but I'm finding it interesting to work with. I made the aft bits from it, and will also use it for the bowsprit mounts (I don't know the correct term).

John

 

 

[johncole]

Hello all,

I keep chipping away at my Puritan, and while I'm pleased with how things are coming together, I'm imagining what improvements to make on my next model.

 

I made new skylights, the kit castings were a bit bulky. These were a LOT harder to make than I thought they would be. I made moulding for the frames, and used .015" wire (guitar string) for the rods.

 

The winches..ouch! They seem way too big, but I'm using them anyway. 

Thanks for checking in.

John

 

 

[captainbob]

The lights look just right.  Well done.

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

Lovely model John,

 

have you possibly been thinking of doing the "Genesta" model as the british challeger, Thats also one of my favorites..., and in opposite to the skimming "Puritan" sloop hull the "Genesta" is is a representative of those "plank on edge cutters", very deep but extreme seaworthy in rough water

 

Nils

[dgbot]

Your Puritan is looking good John. I have a question. Over the years I have come across a few of them and I always like their lines. Some painted with a smooth hull. Unpainted showing the planking and both. All 3 styles were done well. What was your reason for paint and smooth other than putting on a thin veneer? Keep up the good work.

David B

[pete48]

Hi John, Beautiful Hull , Very nice work

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[johncole]

Thanks so much Nils, David, and Pete.

 

Nils, I've seen pictures of Genesta, but I'm not sure if I'm seeing the correct boat you describe. I'll do more research to see. I'm very new to ship modeling, and there is so much I do not know.

 

David, that's a really good question about paint or clear finish on the hull. My original goal was to get the planks fitted very tight and seamless, and the wood smoothed out so that minimal paint would be used, like a wash maybe. I wanted the boat to simulate Puritan closely, and I had hoped for a finish that showed some of the plank definition. But since my hull wasn't even close enough for this technique, I began to apply more and more varnish and paint, ending in what you see. I guess my eventual goal is to get better at planking, not depending on a second layer. (Kind of silly perhaps, since double planked hulls look great).

 

Pete, your Volvo Race is really great!

 

I've got so much to learn here, it's really exciting, and a bit overwhelming. 

 

Thank you again for checking in, and the 'likes'.

John

Edited September 21, 2014 by johncole

[johncole]

It was a productive weekend. 

 

I made some metal bits to mount the bowsprit, and everything eventually fit into place. 

 

I think the hull and deck are nearly done, except for boat davits. 

 

Next up; building the masts. This will be really interesting for me since I've only built the AL Swift before this. I know this rig is just a sloop, but it does have some degree of detail that I'll have to study so I don't goof up and install things in the wrong places. Mamoli seems to have a concise rig plan, but there are some differences when compared to old photos.

John

 

[GuntherMT]

That tiny brass turnbuckle? 

[Mirabell61]

John,

 

your "Puritan" Looks excellent, also in Color scheme

 

Nils

[captainbob]

That profile view shows her lovely lines.  What a beautiful boat she is.  And you’ve done a superb job on the detail parts.

 

Bob

[johncole]

Hello shipmates,

Work on the mast is going well, and I'm taking lots of extra time to sort out the standing and running rig plans. The urge overcame me completely and I HAD to stick the mast into the deck. What inspiration!!

 

I might have to make the boom again, the wood I chose (ash, I think) to replace the kit's warped piece looks weird with it's big, open grain. I had no idea how it would finish with stain until I had it shaped and sanded.

Oops. Lesson learned: Test wood and finishes first!!

 

But most everything else seems to be going ok. This sloop is at the outer edge of my abilities and skill set, and I really can't imagine how I might handle a future square rigged clipper or brig. I'm persistent, and that's a good thing.

John

 

 

 

 

 

[captainbob]

Nice work on the masthead, John.  And that last picture begins to show just how much sail she had.

 

Bob

[johncole]

Mast building continues, and I'm ok with the results so far.

 

The boom has an interesting detail that I wanted to simulate. The main sail attachment to the boom used many small steel fittings. The kit plans show a rope spiraled through the sail and around the boom. I would have likely done this too, but I've discovered Johnson's yacht pictures of Puritan and Mayflower. Pictures like these are really a blessing for scale details, but also impart the burden of "doing it right".

Below shows my sequence of making them.

 

John

 

 

[johncole]

Some rig fittings have been installed on deck, and now it's official: the boat is named!

John

 

[captainbob]

That’s an interesting to fasten the sail to the boom.  Your metal work looks good.

 

Bob

[Justin P.]

Just starting this build, a Mamoli kit but it seems our kits are very different.   Mine comes with double planking.  Your work is an inspiration, hope you dont mind if I pick your brain as I move along.  

 

Thanks.  

[johncole]

Just starting this build, a Mamoli kit but it seems our kits are very different.   Mine comes with double planking.  Your work is an inspiration, hope you dont mind if I pick your brain as I move along.  

 

Thanks.  

Please follow along! It was your earlier posting (August I think) that jump started me to build my kit. We probably have the same kits. I elected to try a single planked scheme using bass wood, but the double planked way will also work really well. I was trying my hand at single planking to help develop some skills.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any Q's.

BTW, I'm progressing along with masts and rigging, but I'm having some photo software issues. More soon, I hope.

John