Caldercraft HMS Victory Ship's Boats

[Warpipes]

Hello all,
I'm an intermediate level wood ship builder who's tackling Caldercraft's HMS Victory and was surprised to find that nowhere in the internet universe (that I can find) is there a single post or video concerning the construction of the four boats that are part of the kit (unless someone here knows otherwise).

The instructions provided with the kit are rather sparse, and sometimes vague, and even Keith Julier--author of the "Period Ship Handbook"--stated in his book that these boats were the most challenging part of his Caldercraft Victory build.

I don't have a specific question concerning the construction of these boats (I'll eventually figure everything out), but it would be really helpful if somebody on this forum knew even the most basic tips on how to assemble these boats.

 

[Warpipes]

Anybody??

 

[AllanKP69]

While not exactly what you need, there are build logs of a cutter, pinnace, and a launch. Maybe these will provide some tips on planking and other parts such as the risers, thwarts, davits, tholes. etc for the boats in your kit.
Allan

 

[Warpipes]

Ok, Thanks. I'll do some searches for these boats.

I find it odd that all of the numerous build logs I've bookmarked on this forum concerning Caldercraft's Victory, and also on our sister forum "Model Ship World", not a single one goes into any discussion whatsoever concerning the assembly of these boats.

Here's a photo of my build so far...

 

[Stuart Little]

Hello all,
I'm an intermediate level wood ship builder who's tackling Caldercraft's HMS Victory and was surprised to find that nowhere in the internet universe (that I can find) is there a single post or video concerning the construction of the four boats that are part of the kit (unless someone here knows otherwise).

The instructions provided with the kit are rather sparse, and sometimes vague, and even Keith Julier--author of the "Period Ship Handbook"--stated in his book that these boats were the most challenging part of his Caldercraft Victory build.

I don't have a specific question concerning the construction of these boats (I'll eventually figure everything out), but it would be really helpful if somebody on this forum knew even the most basic tips on how to assemble these boats.

I'm literally in the same boat as yourself -pun intended! Some parts location are not making clear sense. I'm now on the same search!

 

[Roger Pellett]

Nothing differentiates a well built model from a poorly assembled kit like ships’ boats. And they’re not lifeboats!! Each boat was a carefully designed craft, intended to perform one or more specialized jobs; from transporting high ranking officers to carrying water barrels.

These small craft can be quite difficult to model correctly as the scantlings on the real things were quite small to make the boats as light as possible. This means that if you try to plank them over bulkheads using the kit supplied materials you will have several clumsy boats displayed in a prominent area of your model.

I would instead start by carving correctly shaped plugs for each boat. If you are willing to use plastic it can be easily vacuum formed using a shop vac. Or, you can also lay up several layers of paper over the plug; each glued to the next. Frames, thwarts, etc are easily added from plastic or thick paper.

First photo: 1:96 scale vacuum formed cutters c1862

Second photo: My homemade vacuum forming setup

Roger

 

[Corsair]

You can still get a hold of the "Anatomy of the Ship" on "The 100 gun ship Victory" for a reasonable price.
It's not a perfect resource, but it does provide some information.

 

[Stuart Little]

You can still get a hold of the "Anatomy of the Ship" on "The 100 gun ship Victory" for a reasonable price.
It's not a perfect resource, but it does provide some information.

Got the book, but the kit parts' locations are confusing. Having wasted 3 days 'fannying' about with the kits - bulkheads tend to fall apart - I'm thinking of discarding them as they hide details on the upper gun deck.

 

[AllanKP69]

Having wasted 3 days 'fannying' about with the kits - bulkheads tend to fall apart

Would you consider making your own from scratch? There is the topic/log on how to build your own boats here at SoS. There are dozens of drawings at RMG and full sets of scantlings of the various types and sizes of boats in several sources as well. The typical, albeit not only, group of boats on a first rate in 1765 when Victory was launched included five or six boats, a longboat, pinnace, yawl, and two or three cutters. In 1803 when she came back in service she likely had a launch, pinnace, barge, and three cutters. although the use of barges was on the wane by the late 18th century so may have been another cutter. Maybe make one or two as examples to go on your model.

https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/building-a-ships-boat.14490/ If this sounds like something you want to try, give a shout if you are looking for original plans. There are a lot of them, and I have a few redrawn with templates, etc. you are welcome to.
Allan

 

[Stuart Little]

Would you consider making your own from scratch? There is the topic/log on how to build your own boats here at SoS. There are dozens of drawings at RMG and full sets of scantlings of the various types and sizes of boats in several sources as well. The typical, albeit not only, group of boats on a first rate in 1765 when Victory was launched included five or six boats, a longboat, pinnace, yawl, and two or three cutters. In 1803 when she came back in service she likely had a launch, pinnace, barge, and three cutters. although the use of barges was on the wane by the late 18th century so may have been another cutter. Maybe make one or two as examples to go on your model.

https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/building-a-ships-boat.14490/ If this sounds like something you want to try, give a shout if you are looking for original plans. There are a lot of them, and I have a few redrawn with templates, etc. you are welcome to.
Allan

Thanks for the info.,Allan. While my Victory build takes a 'pause', [I find 'long' builds become a little tedious - so many replacement parts to replocate] I'll play around with these.