Endurance - Occre Build Log

[delgrego]

Hi all, this is my first wooden ship attempt and I've read through several of the other Occre Endurance build logs, so I thought I'd start documenting my own. Currently, I'm slogging through the very tedious hull planking stage and glad to be almost finished with this portion. Here's some lessons and challenges I've experienced so far:

• Those tiny brass nails are DELICATE. I've cussed so many times from bending them. I was worried I would run out towards the end so I've been saving the bent ones but it appears that they included plenty of extras in the kit
• When driving in nails close to the deck, pay attention to the angle of attack, I had a couple go clean through the top of the deck
• I did not pay close enough attention to the instructions and cut out a lot of those notches on the deck that you are supposed to leave un-cut. I was relieved to see that quite a few others did the same . I use wood filler to fill these in and the color I found matches quite closely with the color of the wood: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFYQKDG?th=1
• I had a lot of trouble getting the varnish on the decking smooth, I had lots of brush strokes. I wonder if others a doing multiple coats and lightly sanding?
• I cut the wood planks a little too short at the bow, I will end up using filler there when the times comes

So far I'm enjoying this build. No idea how long it will take me as I'm only putting in an hour or two each day.

 

[Francois de Saint Nazaire]

It is a beautiful model, symbolic of a very wonderful human adventure of Sir Shackleton.

 

[MarTay6]

Looks like a very beautiful build!!

 

[Magic Mike]

Welcome Delgrego to the forums and greetings from Texas! Magic Mike

 

[DocTom]

Great work! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Harbour Hulk]

Hi all, this is my first wooden ship attempt and I've read through several of the other Occre Endurance build logs, so I thought I'd start documenting my own. Currently, I'm slogging through the very tedious hull planking stage and glad to be almost finished with this portion. Here's some lessons and challenges I've experienced so far:

• Those tiny brass nails are DELICATE. I've cussed so many times from bending them. I was worried I would run out towards the end so I've been saving the bent ones but it appears that they included plenty of extras in the kit
• When driving in nails close to the deck, pay attention to the angle of attack, I had a couple go clean through the top of the deck
• I did not pay close enough attention to the instructions and cut out a lot of those notches on the deck that you are supposed to leave un-cut. I was relieved to see that quite a few others did the same . I use wood filler to fill these in and the color I found matches quite closely with the color of the wood: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFYQKDG?th=1
• I had a lot of trouble getting the varnish on the decking smooth, I had lots of brush strokes. I wonder if others a doing multiple coats and lightly sanding?
• I cut the wood planks a little too short at the bow, I will end up using filler there when the times comes

So far I'm enjoying this build. No idea how long it will take me as I'm only putting in an hour or two each day.

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Hi Delgrego. Your pictures bring back memories. My Endurance is almost finished. I can smell the finish line. It's just a matter of finding the time. The Endurance is a nice model and the fact that there is a good photographic record of the ship on the ice gives the builder the chance to enhance the kit and correct some Occre mistakes. Those little brass nails are better used as temporary pins while gluing with white glue. Just push in far enough to hold with a pair of small pliers then remove later. I'm not a fan of clear gloss. My preferred finish on timber is a coat of sanding sealer, light sand then a coat of Scandinavian teak oil brushed on and rubbed with a rag.
Sorry to be the barer of bad news but you have the bulkhead at the rear of the cabin area reversed. This seems to be a common error with this kit. The hatch should be on the right.
Save yourself the strife and throw away the rail stanchions supplied. They are plain awful. I got some better ones made by Caldercraft.
There is no photographic record of the steering mechanism having a cover over it.
The upper mainmast has three sets of ratlines. There are photos showing. There are no ratlines on the upper mizzen. Another common mistake. Enjoy your build.

 

[delgrego]

Hi Delgrego. Your pictures bring back memories. My Endurance is almost finished. I can smell the finish line. It's just a matter of finding the time. The Endurance is a nice model and the fact that there is a good photographic record of the ship on the ice gives the builder the chance to enhance the kit and correct some Occre mistakes. Those little brass nails are better used as temporary pins while gluing with white glue. Just push in far enough to hold with a pair of small pliers then remove later. I'm not a fan of clear gloss. My preferred finish on timber is a coat of sanding sealer, light sand then a coat of Scandinavian teak oil brushed on and rubbed with a rag.
Sorry to be the barer of bad news but you have the bulkhead at the rear of the cabin area reversed. This seems to be a common error with this kit. The hatch should be on the right.
Save yourself the strife and throw away the rail stanchions supplied. They are plain awful. I got some better ones made by Caldercraft.
There is no photographic record of the steering mechanism having a cover over it.
The upper mainmast has three sets of ratlines. There are photos showing. There are no ratlines on the upper mizzen. Another common mistake. Enjoy your build.View attachment 625264

Thanks for these great tips and your build looks great! It must feel great being so near the finish line.

I have learned my lesson about the nails but it’s proving easy enough to drive them further in and sand the surface.

Regarding the hatch at the rear, believe me I am aware but I am at peace with it. Being my first build I am not stressing out too much over historical accuracy. I am learning to pay close attention to the instructions. I’m also planning on documenting my mistakes so hopefully others can learn from them.

Thanks again for your thoughtful response and I look forward to seeing your completed ship.

 

[Harbour Hulk]

First rule is never stress. Everyone makes mistakes and most times the culprit is the only one aware of them.

 

[swampdweller126]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

[Joe Welch]

Welcome Delgrego... I'm new to this forum as well. Very nice and knowledgeable people here. Every time I walk by my model it gives me hope and focus in my daily concerns considering the circumstances the men on this ship faced and overcame. I especially love the recounting of the mysterious third person accompanying the two in the decent down the mountain. Gives me comfort the Lord accompanies everyone of us. You're doing a fine job! It always informative to see how others built theirs so I attached a few photos of mine for your reference. Enjoy your built!

 

[delgrego]

Welcome Delgrego... I'm new to this forum as well. Very nice and knowledgeable people here. Every time I walk by my model it gives me hope and focus in my daily concerns considering the circumstances the men on this ship faced and overcame. I especially love the recounting of the mysterious third person accompanying the two in the decent down the mountain. Gives me comfort the Lord accompanies everyone of us. You're doing a fine job! It always informative to see how others built theirs so I attached a few photos of mine for your reference. Enjoy your built!

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Thanks @Joe Welch and what a beautiful display!

 

[Peter Schaap]

Hello Delgrego,
A warm welcome to our forum.
And don't worry about the time you can spend.
The estimate building time of my ship is 1,000 hours, so I'm building at least a year. But when you have fun.....