I recently completed the Ulises after working on it throughout the COVID fall-winter-spring of 2020-21. I thought all in all the kit was excellent. But I made some minor revisions as follows:
1. During planking of the hull I used nails on only a few critical places. Otherwise the planks were attached with medium cyanacrylate (CA) glue. Worked fine.
2. I used epoxy resin to waterproof the interior of the hull and epoxy plus 2.3 oz fiberglass cloth on the exterior. I wanted the strength of fiberglass plus the waterproofing.
3. I did not to replicate the recommended color scheme. Most everyone seems to want to do that, but I wanted something different. I chose Model Master green gloss and light gull gray and Mission Models anti-fouling red for the lower hull, all applied with an air brush.
4. My major problem with the kit was the cheap-looking funnel. It looked the like the core of a roll of toilet paper. I found a plastic drain extension at the local hardware store and used it instead.
5. I eliminated the frilly rope rail at the bow. This is a working tug and I think it looked silly.
6. I ordered a set of 6 seamen from Shapeways.com and painted them with Model Master enamels and acrylics. I did not want my tug to be a "ghost boat" with no crew.
7. I do not like the name Ulises. So the nameplate (not yet attached) has not been affixed. My wife suggested the name "Pandemic" because that's when the boat was built. I will use it.
8. Lastly, to add a bit of realism to the boat on the water I bought a smoke generation system from HarborModels.com. I am currently installing it in the forward part of the hull.
I have not yet had the boat on the water. But once I get the smoke generation system installed it will be good to go! I will add some photos when the tug sails.
6
1. During planking of the hull I used nails on only a few critical places. Otherwise the planks were attached with medium cyanacrylate (CA) glue. Worked fine.
2. I used epoxy resin to waterproof the interior of the hull and epoxy plus 2.3 oz fiberglass cloth on the exterior. I wanted the strength of fiberglass plus the waterproofing.
3. I did not to replicate the recommended color scheme. Most everyone seems to want to do that, but I wanted something different. I chose Model Master green gloss and light gull gray and Mission Models anti-fouling red for the lower hull, all applied with an air brush.
4. My major problem with the kit was the cheap-looking funnel. It looked the like the core of a roll of toilet paper. I found a plastic drain extension at the local hardware store and used it instead.
5. I eliminated the frilly rope rail at the bow. This is a working tug and I think it looked silly.
6. I ordered a set of 6 seamen from Shapeways.com and painted them with Model Master enamels and acrylics. I did not want my tug to be a "ghost boat" with no crew.
7. I do not like the name Ulises. So the nameplate (not yet attached) has not been affixed. My wife suggested the name "Pandemic" because that's when the boat was built. I will use it.
8. Lastly, to add a bit of realism to the boat on the water I bought a smoke generation system from HarborModels.com. I am currently installing it in the forward part of the hull.
I have not yet had the boat on the water. But once I get the smoke generation system installed it will be good to go! I will add some photos when the tug sails.
6
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