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Le Saint Philippe 1693 after Jean-Claude Lemineur (Ancre) in scale 1:48

dockattner said:
Hi Mark. Well, the way I do scratch building is certainly expensive (I recently purchased a single plank of steamed pear for nearly $400). But I don't think it has to be that way if you select less expensive wood species and find a woodworking friend to assist with the processing in exchange for a case of beer.

As for aftermarket upgrades - your point is well-taken. Blocks and rope can be pricey. Of course you don't have to buy these things from vendors - each can be made by hand if you have the time and passion for it. As for me - I made all the rope for a three mast ship and I won't be doing it a second time. The repetition was agony for me. And there are a few people on the forum who can make their own blocks that rival the CNC ones in the marketplace - but that takes a really special skill set (and good eyes!). I ended up spending the $300, though today I'd consider making my own...

A word about cost that bears repeating... Let's use an extreme example. Let's say someone is building one of the new-age super-detailed POF kits: $2500 (a seemingly unthinkable cost). But that build takes two years - maybe three. Dollar-cost-average that over the build time and we are at $100 per month or less. Now it doesn't sound so bad. To be sure the hobby has a cost (most hobbies do) - it's a question of return on investment (in joy and satisfaction in the case of ship modeling).

To extend my argument. That $400 plank of pear is enough wood to make a 1:48 74-gun POF ship model that would take me five years to build. Money well-spent. Unless my children end up using it for firewood Cautious when I die and leave it sitting in the basement.
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I hope not. Man that is expensive firewood.
But I am just not equipped to make my own wood strips either so I would have to buy everything. Maybe I can make my own blocks with a 3d printer, but that would be a steep learning curve at best.
2500 is what I would pay for a kit these days. The prices have gone up recently. I am so happy that I bought half a dozen kits a few years ago when the prices were more reasonable.
And the ornamentation would have to be 3d printed because I can't carve even if my life depended on it. That is a very unique skill that I don't have.
so maybe there are things that I could do.
YEs the cost over time thing definitely puts things into perspective but the capital cost is still high and my admiral would not be too impressed if I spent more money on kits. I think I have enough now to keep my busy until I am well into my 70's so that should be enough for a lifetime.
 
dockattner said:
A word about cost that bears repeating... Let's use an extreme example. Let's say someone is building one of the new-age super-detailed POF kits: $2500 (a seemingly unthinkable cost). But that build takes two years - maybe three. Dollar-cost-average that over the build time and we are at $100 per month or less. Now it doesn't sound so bad. To be sure the hobby has a cost (most hobbies do) - it's a question of return on investment (in joy and satisfaction in the case of ship modeling).
Click to expand...

You've hit the nail on the head Paul. I use the reasoning, and have also convinced the Admiral with respect to her hobbies, that cost is relative to the return on investment. I know many people who wouldn't bat an eye at spending $100 per person on a fine meal that might last at most 2 hours and then just get pooped out, yet they scream at spending $100 on parts/materials/kits that will give hours or even weeks of enjoyment and produce an item that will endure for a long time. I guess it's all in what you really value.

As for your brackets, I can't believe that it took you only two weeks to make those - they are stunning!

Have fun in Maine!
 
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Don't let the cloudy skies in Acadia get you down today because, hey - IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!! Birthday-Cake Beer Have fun, enjoy and eat an extra lobster roll.
 
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