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

Joined
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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The Bluenose is an excellent choice! There are a few options to choose from, first POB or POF. POB gives you the most kits, if still available, to choose from in different scales (1:65, 1:72, 1:100) Billing Boats, Artesania, Model Shipways... The only kit I know of in Plank on Frame is de YuanQing Bluenose in 1:72. Each kit has its pros and cons. Personally I was and actually still am very much enamored by the POF kit.
The kits are suitable for beginner/advanced beginner, although I think the POF (advanced beginner) is underrated.
Still, the Bluenose is a beautiful schooner and building your own model is worth your efforts.

(Restored) BB Bluenose, scale 1:65
IMG_1202.jpeg

ZHL Bluenose 1:72 (with amongst others added sails and lights)
IMG_1056.jpeg
 
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In this post YQ (YuanQing) —> opted to e-mail <— them for ordering the PoF-model directly from them. For sure they have a better price. Not sure if it can without PayPal.
You can also try Heinrich @Heinrich if he is still in contact with YQ for orders.
It’s the same links (post #315) that Johan has posted in the ‘Payment and Ordering’.
Regards, Peter
 
Thank you for providing other kit options for Bluenose. I'm not completely set on it, but it's similar to the one I made as a teen, so the nostalgia element is there. I could look for other racing sloops, too.

From my prior experience, I'd probably rate myself an advanced beginner, maybe stretching to intermediate, but not expert. To correct my terminology, my old model was POB not POF.

Artesania doesn't seem to make those kits any more.

The Model Shipways one is not a contender since it's in basswood. Billings Boats makes three different ones, but they also all seem to be in basswood. That wood is utterly devoid of character and simply must be painted. I'm not completely set against painting, but I love attractive wood (I've also done some non-modeling wood-working, e.g. in mahogany). In addition, I feel that painted scale modeling often does not look quite right unless done by a true master.

That seems to leave the ZHL one, which appears to be the most challenging. Again, I should consider other options, but it sure seems like a nice kit.
 
"Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all." Does that apply to model ship building?

I've been devouring the various Bluenose build logs, and I'm not feeling optimistic. I've grown convinced that it's within my skill level, and that I can probably do a fairly decent job of it, too. That's except for the sheer magnitude of it all.

This project would directly compete with my primary hobby (quite unrelated to modeling), as I don't have the space for both. If I could complete the kit within say 3 months, I'd go for it, but from what I've seen, one to three years is more probable (with an unfortunate number apparently abandoned along the way). I won't be able to keep at it that long without pushing it aside to get back to my main hobby, possibly terminally.

So, is it still better to have loved trying and lost by eventually abandoning it?
 
"Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all." Does that apply to model ship building?

I've been devouring the various Bluenose build logs, and I'm not feeling optimistic. I've grown convinced that it's within my skill level, and that I can probably do a fairly decent job of it, too. That's except for the sheer magnitude of it all.

This project would directly compete with my primary hobby (quite unrelated to modeling), as I don't have the space for both. If I could complete the kit within say 3 months, I'd go for it, but from what I've seen, one to three years is more probable (with an unfortunate number apparently abandoned along the way). I won't be able to keep at it that long without pushing it aside to get back to my main hobby, possibly terminally.

So, is it still better to have loved trying and lost by eventually abandoning it?
What about a small, not too fancy one? 3-4 month building time should be possible with this one.
 
Thank you for that. I'm not wedded to that particular ship - mostly I just love the looks of that kit I've been discussing. I will look at your suggestion, and also further afield at other types of craft and try to find something simpler that fits my criteria. I've already looked around, and I've seen some that are close, but I'm still working through all the manufacturers and options out there.

After that, all it takes is for model ship building to kick my current hobby to the curb and take over as my primary hobby, and all will be fine! ;)
 
"Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all." Does that apply to model ship building?
I guess it does. And also that one comes to regret the sins one didn't commit, the pleasures one did deny oneself by wanting to be too prudent. Stop moping, and let yourself fall into it. There's only one way to find out what you like best.
 
"Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all." Does that apply to model ship building?

I've been devouring the various Bluenose build logs, and I'm not feeling optimistic. I've grown convinced that it's within my skill level, and that I can probably do a fairly decent job of it, too. That's except for the sheer magnitude of it all.

This project would directly compete with my primary hobby (quite unrelated to modeling), as I don't have the space for both. If I could complete the kit within say 3 months, I'd go for it, but from what I've seen, one to three years is more probable (with an unfortunate number apparently abandoned along the way). I won't be able to keep at it that long without pushing it aside to get back to my main hobby, possibly terminally.

So, is it still better to have loved trying and lost by eventually abandoning it?
Before committing myself to my Bluenose build, I had many reservations about the model, especially the plank-on-frame build grew to Mt Everest-like proportions in my mind. After giving it a lot of thought and having discussed this with various people on SOS, I finally decided to go for it, no matter the consequences.
It took me close to two years to build, with many ups and downs, but now I have a beautiful Bluenose model, which found a prominent place in our living. Admittedly, the build logs and the available background information here on SOS were huge bonuses.
In all, I really can't advise you, ultimately it's your decision and yours only.
Good luck with your deliberations.
 
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