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Greetings from Camas, WA

M

MLaFleur

Joined
Apr 21, 2026
Messages
5
Points
3

I have been following the forums for hints and tips and decided to finally join in. I recently completed my Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack after starting the hull 35 years ago. I am now working my way through a Model Shipways New Bedford Whaleboat and learning quite a bit from the forums. Whenever I get impatient or frustrated with my progress, I get inspired again by checking out the member builds. I really appreciate this unique and helpful community of modelers.
 
MLaFleur said:
I have been following the forums for hints and tips and decided to finally join in. I recently completed my Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack after starting the hull 35 years ago. I am now working my way through a Model Shipways New Bedford Whaleboat and learning quite a bit from the forums. Whenever I get impatient or frustrated with my progress, I get inspired again by checking out the member builds. I really appreciate this unique and helpful community of modelers.
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Welcome from Northern Idaho! Nice to have a "neighbor" on the forum.
 
MLaFleur said:
I have been following the forums for hints and tips and decided to finally join in. I recently completed my Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack after starting the hull 35 years ago. I am now working my way through a Model Shipways New Bedford Whaleboat and learning quite a bit from the forums. Whenever I get impatient or frustrated with my progress, I get inspired again by checking out the member builds. I really appreciate this unique and helpful community of modelers.
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MLaFleur -- I am a 6-month member of SoS and I find this site to be incredibly helpful and resourceful. One of the best ways to engage with the community by doing build logs of your work, asking questions of the members and getting feedback, and checking out existing build logs for your ships.

It's interesting that you are working on the Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack. I just ordered that kit from Model Expo and I'm excited to build her. I have built other kits from the same or similar companies including the Sea Bright Dory and the Maine Lobster Peapod. On this site, JacquesCousteau is working on a customized build of the Lobster Smack with a lapstrake hull that is worth taking a look at.

Looking forward to seeing your work! And welcome to the forums.
 
Ignatius27 said:
MLaFleur -- I am a 6-month member of SoS and I find this site to be incredibly helpful and resourceful. One of the best ways to engage with the community by doing build logs of your work, asking questions of the members and getting feedback, and checking out existing build logs for your ships.

It's interesting that you are working on the Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack. I just ordered that kit from Model Expo and I'm excited to build her. I have built other kits from the same or similar companies including the Sea Bright Dory and the Maine Lobster Peapod. On this site, JacquesCousteau is working on a customized build of the Lobster Smack with a lapstrake hull that is worth taking a look at.

Looking forward to seeing your work! And welcome to the forums.
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Hello Ignatius27! Thanks for the comments. I built the Midwest version of the Lobster Smack which is slightly different than the Model Shipways version. My version had simpler planking and a few other variations but it's a lovely little ship. Since I am a fairly new builder, I heavily relied on YouTube's Modeler Olha Bathvarov build log for refining my skills. I created the simplest version of the sails, followed Olha's recommendations for rigging, and ordered better blocks from Model Expo. I regret not ordering better cleats instead of the tiny copper ones provided with my kit. My Whaleboat is testing my skillsets but I'm practicing patience and taking a break when I get frustrated. Good luck on your build!
 
Welcome aboard from Massachusetts. I'm currently building the Lobster Smack. About to make the sail and start rigging. I'd love to see a picture of your model. Enjoy your next build!
 
Here are some quick photos of my build. I still plan to mount it on a nicer board with brass mounts because these brass rods are wobbly. I followed Olha's easier sail making instructions by gluing the boatrope instead of hand stitching it. But I did create the parallel lines by removing two threads from the cloth instead of drawing or sewing them like Olha demonstrates. She encourages making the ship your own so I left off the oar clocks because they seemed clunky and I did not like the copper wire oar locks. I also regret not replacing the very bad cleats from my kit. I could hardly tie off the rigging. My coaming came up short so I had to add a block near my tiller. And I think I placed my boom a bit low...it barely skims the cabin roof. And my waterline is an embarassment!

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MLaFleur said:
Hello Ignatius27! Thanks for the comments. I built the Midwest version of the Lobster Smack which is slightly different than the Model Shipways version. My version had simpler planking and a few other variations but it's a lovely little ship. Since I am a fairly new builder, I heavily relied on YouTube's Modeler Olha Bathvarov build log for refining my skills. I created the simplest version of the sails, followed Olha's recommendations for rigging, and ordered better blocks from Model Expo. I regret not ordering better cleats instead of the tiny copper ones provided with my kit. My Whaleboat is testing my skillsets but I'm practicing patience and taking a break when I get frustrated. Good luck on your build!
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MLaFleur - Olha B. is one of the masters of the craft...I love her YouTube videos. Your lobster smack looks tremendous! Nice work.
 
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