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First build in over 50 years - crazy to try Bluenose? What else?

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Oct 4, 2025
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Hello forum members,

When young, wooden model building was one of my most practiced hobbies; usually airplanes, and mostly from scratch. I did build one ship model - a small scratch-built POF racing sloop. Like all my models back then, it was made in balsa.

Now retired, I'm revisiting some hobbies from my youth, and I stumbled upon this site. I started looking for projects similar to my old ship and was immediately struck by the beauty of the Bluenose model that people have undertaken here, for example.

While I'm not a beginner, I'm also far from an expert, so I have concerns about taking on that substantial of a challenge (all those frames!). Of course, I should, and will, do my own research here, but perhaps people have some suggestions with the following preferences:

* A very high quality kit in a larger scale (cost is not a major factor).
* If possible, made from an extra-fine-quality wood wherever exposed: pear, boxwood, etc.
* Should be attractively-suitable for finishing almost exclusively in unstained oil or poly rather than requiring paint.
* Minimal or no rigging (I'm much more intimidated by that than the wood-work).

As examples, Bluenose (the exposed-frame version) is perhaps my favorite amongst the models I've seen so far. I seem to be attracted to other "admiralty"-styled models, too. The Unicorn Models French longboat also looks very nice to me, and it doesn't require too much rigging.

I would hate to start a model and not finish it, and I'm afraid that the above level of kits might be too much for me. My biggest concern? I don't have a lot of space available, and any model like this will compete with my other hobbies for space and time. Switching between hobbies will almost certainly mean putting one away, with an indefinite delay getting back to it. Therefore, other simpler models along these lines are welcome options to consider.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thank you very much!
 
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I just started on my bluenose, so I'm obviously bias. I love the ship lines and the history. I don't think it is out of reach for any model builder. The Yuanquin kit so far is admirable. The laser plates well cut and precise. The pearwood is great. The manual is bad... BUT you have a fairly large number of peoples that build it here and more than 30 logs available (look under "group builds" at the top of the page). I read most... and they are good at teaching a lot of specific for this build. This is a major plus.... you will have support.

All kit has a fair amount of repetition and specific techniques, and the bluenose is no exception. You just progress at your own paces, that all, there is no rush. I have the impression, that we will have plenty of time for other hobbies. Assembling frames is about precision... not speed. I feel that you can approach the build in various ways, simple or in depth with modifications. Keep in mind that I only started it couple weeks ago. I have not experience even 1% of it, as you can see in my own log.

I will vote for: go for it and enjoy!
 
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