06MAY2025: Today, I finished the HMS Beagle wood kit from OcCree. What a great learning experience and wonderful project.
I made mistakes and had to compromise in a few areas, but I have enjoyed the journey immensely and feel I am more prepared for the next project, the "Amerigo Vespucci". Here is a link to the final video: HMS Beagle Video
19APR2025: Progress has slowed this week. It is becoming increasingly difficult to rig and tie off lines. I managed to get the foresails up and mostly rigged. I still have the Mainsails and Braces to install before I mount the small boats and add the final touches. However, I received some new motivation this week: my next project, the Amerigo Vespucci, arrived! So I need to wrap up the Beagle and move on!
06APR2025: Just returned from vacation, but managed to get a few foresails & Jibs up. I am finding that some of the instructions could be better concerning the placement of the lines. But overall, I am happy enough with the kit to order the new project. So the OcCre Amerigo Vespucci kit is on the way. Looking forward to starting it soon!
10MAR2025: Now that I have committed to this hobby, I have started setting up the hobby room, aka shipyard.
So far, the admiral isn't complaining too much. I guess it keeps me out of her hair.
I made my own rigging rig, and it's working well so far. The picture on the end shows me inspecting shrouds and ratlines on the S/V Western Union.
In my younger years, I was a Boatswain Mate in the US Coast Guard and retired as a Chief Warrant Bosun. Later, I became a ship inspector and Class Surveyor.
So my love of boats runs deep, especially the rigging and sails.
Although I have painted many boats and ships in my day, model painting still challenges me. But, like anything, I guess I will improve with practice and time.
Planking the small boats was a real eye-opener. But I love working on the details.
The planking was new to me. I have inspected several large wooden boats, which helped. I certainly made my mistakes, but I look at this first one as a learning experience.
My Kids purchased the Kit as a Father's Day gift, but I was not able to start the project until September 2025. This is my learning project, and I am really enjoying it.
I made mistakes and had to compromise in a few areas, but I have enjoyed the journey immensely and feel I am more prepared for the next project, the "Amerigo Vespucci". Here is a link to the final video: HMS Beagle Video
19APR2025: Progress has slowed this week. It is becoming increasingly difficult to rig and tie off lines. I managed to get the foresails up and mostly rigged. I still have the Mainsails and Braces to install before I mount the small boats and add the final touches. However, I received some new motivation this week: my next project, the Amerigo Vespucci, arrived! So I need to wrap up the Beagle and move on!
06APR2025: Just returned from vacation, but managed to get a few foresails & Jibs up. I am finding that some of the instructions could be better concerning the placement of the lines. But overall, I am happy enough with the kit to order the new project. So the OcCre Amerigo Vespucci kit is on the way. Looking forward to starting it soon!
10MAR2025: Now that I have committed to this hobby, I have started setting up the hobby room, aka shipyard.
So far, the admiral isn't complaining too much. I guess it keeps me out of her hair.
I made my own rigging rig, and it's working well so far. The picture on the end shows me inspecting shrouds and ratlines on the S/V Western Union.
In my younger years, I was a Boatswain Mate in the US Coast Guard and retired as a Chief Warrant Bosun. Later, I became a ship inspector and Class Surveyor.
So my love of boats runs deep, especially the rigging and sails.
Although I have painted many boats and ships in my day, model painting still challenges me. But, like anything, I guess I will improve with practice and time.
Planking the small boats was a real eye-opener. But I love working on the details.
The planking was new to me. I have inspected several large wooden boats, which helped. I certainly made my mistakes, but I look at this first one as a learning experience.
My Kids purchased the Kit as a Father's Day gift, but I was not able to start the project until September 2025. This is my learning project, and I am really enjoying it.
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