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Is it okay to build two ships, or is it too much?

You can build multiple ships, it is a matter of organizing each ship into separate containers 20260106_154711.jpg Here I am getting the Wasa pieces together and put them in the rack. I have four ships on these containers, Two Bluenoses, Harriet Lane, Astrolabe the three empty ones are from the Pegasus I just finished,
20260106_154701.jpg
Ready to fill with Wasa parts.
It can be done. .
Bobby K ‼️
 
In reference to oil paints, you might investigate alkyd paint. They are an oil paint/acrylic hybrid which has a fairly fast drying time and you treat them like oils. Check out the Windsor Newton line.
 
There’s no “right” answer to your question. You need to examine your own abilities and situation for the answer that best suits you. Building a ship model is a major project and if done well should not be hurried.

It has taken me many years to convince myself that when I hit a snag, rather than continuing to try to immediately solve the problem, it’s better to stop and find a completely different activity to engage my interest. When my workbench becomes littered with tools, it’s a sign to clean things up and to find something else to do. The solution to the problem usually pops into my head during a completely unrelated activity later in the day. I suppose that that different activity could be working on a second model.

My work habits are such that it’s one model at a time, although this limits my lifetime output.

Roger
 
Roger Pellett said:
... The solution to the problem usually pops into my head during a completely unrelated activity later in the day. ...
Roger
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For me, I discovered that I usually already know the solution, but I don't believe I do.
My mind is too busy looking elsewhere to hear my subconscious solution. My subconscious is waiting for me to 'shut up' so it can have the space and time to 'pop' the solution into my head.
Now, when I 'know' I am confounding myself, I stop, and go for a walk to quiet my mind. In most cases, the solution then presents itself.
 
I only build one model at a time. Lack of space, need to see/experience progress, need to fucus on the model at hand and away from life’s aggravations. Still, as commented here, I do not have a lot of company, some, but not much. I might however, open a kit in my queue, give it a quick review, try to determine what I’ll need to finish THAT kit in the future, material and/or supplies. Call it preparation.
 
I only did one at a time for my first three builds but now in my fourth, the Bluenose schooner, I was up to starting the rigging when a fellow club member gave me an old kit of the Herreshoff 12 1/2, a relatively simple build so I’ve been building both. For me it’s true what Allan and others said, I work on one while the other’s paint or wood stain dries etc. I enjoy it and can handle it but space is a little problem. I have to make room for one while working on the other and carefully separate and set aside parts etc but it’s working. I also have no Admiral since I broke up with my gf so I can use the dining room table if things get too tight on my workbench lol. My cat is a comfort to me and doesn’t bother messing with my stuff- I just keep the door closed so she can’t get into my workroom just in case :)
 
You are the shipyard manager, so if you love doing it, go for it Just remember in WW2 shipyard managers were overseeing up to 8 builds; so you should be good to go with 2. But most of all, have fun!
 
I'm a very fortunate person with two shipyards about 50 miles apart. One hosts the Billingboats HMS Victory, the other has USF Essex (which I'm adding scratch build masts, yards, and rigging to the "admiralty" version). I like having a project at each location and there is an interesting sort of dialogue between the two projects. Each has been in process for a couple of years, but both should be done before the end of 2026.
USS Constitution kit is sitting under a bed, waiting to begin once one of these is finished. What will follow when the second one is done, I haven't thought about. Suggestions welcome--I did the privateer Rattlesnake and HMS Surprise, but do prefer late 18th century frigates.
 
Swabbie said:
I am already building a ship kit. However, an opportunity arose for me to buy a different ship kit. I like to start on the second kit while doing the first.
What are your thoughts on this idea?
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No problem doing more than one kit at a time. I have done that. Depending on where in each build you are, moving to a second build can offer a relief from a tedious task or a difficult part on the first. Lessons learned on the first are lessons applied on the second. Just don’t mix up the pieces/parts of each build. :)
 
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I have built only two ships and I built them together, one was Achilles to 1/43 scale and the other was Scottish Maid said to be 1/50 scale, I needed both ships to be 1/43 scale so I redesigned the Scottish maid to the larger scale and scratch built this. Both ships were quickly and well made to waterline for a model railway harbour, They were renamed Cyclops with a single eyeball figurehead, and Stephen Hey after my late father who had served in the R.N. To say I had never built a ship before the speed and quality of building surprised myself.

Douglas Hey NZ
 
SoCal Dude, I have the Model Shipways Rattlesnake in my cabinet! Waiting for me Lookin so forward to start on her. Lemme know what major bad stuff I gotta look out for lol. Maybe I could pre-empt a lotta bad stuff.
 
SoCal, I bought a micro LED set specifically for her (the USS Rattlesnake) and I intend to install them on the gun deck. I got the flickering ones because they only had kerosene or oil lamps in those days and the flickering ones should imitate them. Hope it turns out well, should look awesome if it goes ok.
 
I like to do sanding in summer and rigging in the winter so that i make less dust in the house, so that mixes things up a bit . Sanded three solid wood hulls to shape and planked two others in one summer then i have spent the last five months rigging two three mast jobs. Don't know how many that counts for ! ROTF I have managed to finish off an elizabethan galeon , the cutty sark and a bark in this year so i know they will all get there eventually.
 
Swabbie said:
I am already building a ship kit. However, an opportunity arose for me to buy a different ship kit. I like to start on the second kit while doing the first.
What are your thoughts on this idea?
Click to expand...
Variety remains the spice of life. I actually have 3 builds underway, and I move between them so as not to get 'bored'. Of course, this means that neither progresses very quickly, but that's just the way I keep my focus these days. Each to their own of course. :cool:
 
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