Frustrated!!

[Roger Pellett]

Sorry, error in my post. Last sentence should have referred to Virginia, not New York Pilot Boat. Post corrected.

Roger

 

[Steviedean]

View attachment 472947View attachment 472948Stevie,

You last posted over a year ago so perhaps you’ve finished your Swift model or trashed it. If not, and it’s still sitting in your shop, allow me to make a suggestion. This AL kit does not make a historically accurate Virginia Pilot Boat. The photo below is of a painting made by a Royal Navy officer in the very early 1800’s of one these craft. As the young American Republic had virtually no Navy it seems that the RN was quite casual about respecting our territory and sailed in and out of the Virginia Capes at will. They were, therefore, quite familiar with these boats.

It seems that kit manufacturers believe that kits require elaborate rigging and cannons to sell but these boats had no standing rigging and very little running rigging. The jib was set flying and the fore sail was loose footed. If rigging is your problem rig it like the boat in the picture.

The second picture is of an early New York Pilot Boat (scratch built by me, 1:48 scale). You can simplify your model considerably and it will be more accurate.

BTW Model Shipways used to offer a much more accurate Virginia Pilot kit.

Roger

Yep,
I know it's not accurate, I know it wasn't an actual ship but a representation of that type.
eningly poor instructions I did "finish" it. It was my first wooden boat model and I treated it as a learning experience. It's not unattractive- I just don't respect it as a testament to history, so it just sits out in my shop with no actual home. I move it as needed.
Will be starting the Niagara soon. Building a 1/16 scale play barn using scale structure and lumber I made from common 1X pine....
Stevie

 

[Jack Sparrow]

What I have in stock to build;
YQ Blue nose
Artensania Latina Constellation-1990's kit
Artensania Latina Harvey - 1990's kit
OcCre Beagle
MS - Constitution
MS - Niagara
MS - Essex
MS - Confederacy
MS - Charles W Morgan
MS - Syren
MS - New Bedford Whaleboat
MS - Armed Longboat
MS - English Pinnace
MS - Muscongus bay lobster smack
Midwest - Canadian Canoe
Midwest - Indian Girl canoe
Miwest - Dingy
Dusek - Viking long ship
Pavel Nitikin's Drakkar Oseberg
Chinese knock off of Amati's Viking Oseberg ( piece of crap)
Master Korabel 1/72 ships boat kit
Any suggestions of what would be a next kit for me to build?
Thanks,
Steviedean

I would not attempt the MS Constitution without first having completed a few other ships. The instructions are poor and the plans are hard to follow. I would suggest that you do the Syren first maybe even before finishing the Swift. You will learn alot from the instructions of the Syren.

 

[Steviedean]

I disagree with not finishing the model and starting a new one. My very 1st ship was the Swift which I bought in the 90's as well. Since I was new to the hobby, I had low expectations of building a quality model. Many mistakes were made (e.g too much wood filler,too much CA glue,sewing sails, rigging,etc) but I did learn a lot. Kept notes on my mistakes for future reference. I eventually finished it and I am glad I did. If I didn't I probably would not continued with the hobby.

I agree whole heartedly!
It is finished with not so great rigging but not terrible either. Built a couple scale balsa planes for flying ( rubber power) a '68 Camero for a friend, modeled after his high school ride, pre- accident, and self designed 1950's Dairy barn-it is 1/16 scale using scale structure and framing. Trying to come up with an efficient way to make wood shingles at the moment...

 

[Steviedean]

I would not attempt the MS Constitution without first having completed a few other ships. The instructions are poor and the plans are hard to follow. I would suggest that you do the Syren first maybe even before finishing the Swift. You will learn alot from the instructions of the Syren.

Thanks!
Good plan - I do have the Lauck Street CD for the constitution....

 

[Steviedean]

I bought the same kit at a junque joint for $4. The hull was partially completed. I finished the model and it looks good . I eliminated the cannon and sails . It was fun , and for 4 bucks I had nothing to lose. I disagree with my elders and betters and recommend that you finish and mount it. Don't fret the small stuff . Just get this one done . Otherwise it will haunt you.

Correct!
I don't like unfinished projects lurking at the back of my mind either!!!

 

[Senorbob]

BTW: Maybe you do not try to install these sails - sometimes a model boat is looking much better without sails

I agee,oftentimes adding sails detracts from the appearance of the model

 

[Jack Sparrow]

I have about 5 ships under my belt and I have yet to install sails. Number 6, the MS Constitution, will have sails, though. At least one of my ships should be sailed. Then we will know if it's worth the extra effort or not.

 

[AllanKP69]

I agee,oftentimes adding sails detracts from the appearance of the model

It seems many agree with this, going back several hundred years. Looking at contemporary models at RMG, Preble Hall and elsewhere, the inclusion of sails is relatively rare. I think part of the reasoning is that there is no cloth that is to scale and it blocks the view of the rigging. If sails are included silk span is gaining more and more traction as it does look good. There is a US$5 booklet on making silk span sails at Seawatch books by David Antscherl that you might find useful as well as a You Tube series on making them by Tom Lauria that is similar to the steps shown in the booklet.

Below is a photo of one of MANY contemporary models that are not rigged with sails. In the end it comes down to a matter of taste and what pleases the builder.

 

[gene438]

What I have in stock to build;
YQ Blue nose
Artensania Latina Constellation-1990's kit
Artensania Latina Harvey - 1990's kit
OcCre Beagle
MS - Constitution
MS - Niagara
MS - Essex
MS - Confederacy
MS - Charles W Morgan
MS - Syren
MS - New Bedford Whaleboat
MS - Armed Longboat
MS - English Pinnace
MS - Muscongus bay lobster smack
Midwest - Canadian Canoe
Midwest - Indian Girl canoe
Miwest - Dingy
Dusek - Viking long ship
Pavel Nitikin's Drakkar Oseberg
Chinese knock off of Amati's Viking Oseberg ( piece of crap)
Master Korabel 1/72 ships boat kit
Any suggestions of what would be a next kit for me to build?
Thanks,
Steviedean

Understand your frustration and I would like to add a couple of points or suggestions:

1)I would suggest building the OcCree Beagle. It was my first build. Big enough to keep your attention, good instructions, and plenty of step by step videos to guide you. I learn by watching and videos help me get into the hobby with confidence.

2)You have to understand and adopt the concept that "finishing a boat" is not the goal and you need to get there as soon as possible. THIS IS NOT THE GOAL

3)Building a ship is a series of hundreds of projects. Focus on completing each of these little projects should be your goal. My goal for the next month is to copper plate the hull of my current build.....that's it. If it takes 2 months or 3 ....so what....I want it to be the best I can make it, so I take my time.

4)Remember, this is to be a fun, relaxing hobby. Nobody is in charge or sets the schedule but you.

Pay more attention to some of the build logs on this site...when you first read them, it's amazing the work members here put into their project....BUT, start looking closer at the dates of their posting. Some build logs that may only be 8 or 9 pages seem short and quick, but if you look at the dates, they may cover several years from start to finish.

It is a very common problem for new people getting in the hobby and I am not the first to say, "It's not a race to finish a ship, it's the journey"

 

[Jack Sparrow]

Thanks!
Good plan - I do have the Lauck Street CD for the constitution....

Good to have. I have them too.
He does tend to be a little wordy in his explanations, though. Just a heads up.
I also bought his CD for the rigging part.

 

[Carleroo]

We will try to help as much as possible, so please do not hesitate to ask any question

I have built several ships and I didn't bother with sails. They still look pretty good and you can see the detail on the decks, etc.. It's one less thing to keep clean if you decide not to put the ship in a display case.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

some furl the sails so you can sort of get the best of both worlds.