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new member from Georgian Bay

C

Chris Farrell

Joined
Feb 22, 2026
Messages
15
Points
18

Hi All,
I'm new to building wooden ships, but not new to modelling. In the way-back machine I built a few RC Aircraft when you got a box of pieces-parts and spent the winter building the thing. Same for balsa & tissue models. It's been a while though. Also helpful that my previous career was working in a woodshop. Currently I am a Helicopter Mechanic. And no, I do not fly them. Ahem.
I had always thought it would be fun to build a wooden sailing ship but for whatever reasons the idea remained on the back burner. So now, with a wee shove from Captain Aubrey, I am the proud owner of the "HMS Surprise" kit from AL. And the realization that I should probably start with something a little less involved. Enter the "Bluenose" from Model Shipways, which I have just barely started, but start it I have.
Work has me away from home a fair bit so that doesn't help, but the model does enjoy the full extent of the dining room table at all times. No roommates or other similarly annoying individuals to have to share my house with.
Of course, model kits being like potato chips as they are, I had to have the "HMS Diana" originally from Caldercraft, as recommended a few times for a little more accurate representation of a period Frigate. Pretty sure I'm good for kits for a while.
That's it for now, I'll try and post some pics of my progress from time to time.
Cheers, Chris.
 
Welcome to SoS. If you start a build log it can be a big help if you let the readers know you are open to receiving help and suggestions to get through the rough spots.

Enjoy your time here.
Allan
 
Chris - Welcome to SoS! You will find many helpful resources and friendly people who are willing to share their experiences. As has been said, one of the best ways to get involved is to start a build log and ask questions within the build log. I usually ask questions by posting them in bold in my build log, like a shout out. It is also helpful to find your "niche" or "areas of interest" as there will no doubt people in those same spaces. One of my "sweet spots" is windjammer ships (under both sail and steam) ftom the late 1800s to the 1930s. Sure enough, there are folx here who love windjammers. Im also interested in working fishing boats and 17th century Dutch warships and merchant vessels.

Not everyone here is into building 80-gun British ships of the line. I have as much fun making a Chesapeake Bay crab boat model as I would building the Santissima Trinidad and Im just not partial to rigging 130 blocks and 60 lines of standing rigging on a tall ship. Find your way here, and just have fun!

Fair winds and followed seas!
 
Last edited:
Welcome aboard! Like you, the Bluenose is currently my first "big" ship model and I'm enjoying every step. Hope you do as well and share your experience through a build log. Have fun!
 
Chris Farrell said:
Hi All,
I'm new to building wooden ships, but not new to modelling. In the way-back machine I built a few RC Aircraft when you got a box of pieces-parts and spent the winter building the thing. Same for balsa & tissue models. It's been a while though. Also helpful that my previous career was working in a woodshop. Currently I am a Helicopter Mechanic. And no, I do not fly them. Ahem.
I had always thought it would be fun to build a wooden sailing ship but for whatever reasons the idea remained on the back burner. So now, with a wee shove from Captain Aubrey, I am the proud owner of the "HMS Surprise" kit from AL. And the realization that I should probably start with something a little less involved. Enter the "Bluenose" from Model Shipways, which I have just barely started, but start it I have.
Work has me away from home a fair bit so that doesn't help, but the model does enjoy the full extent of the dining room table at all times. No roommates or other similarly annoying individuals to have to share my house with.
Of course, model kits being like potato chips as they are, I had to have the "HMS Diana" originally from Caldercraft, as recommended a few times for a little more accurate representation of a period Frigate. Pretty sure I'm good for kits for a while.
That's it for now, I'll try and post some pics of my progress from time to time.
Cheers, Chris.
Click to expand...
Hi Chris.
Welcome to the SoS. Nice that you just started with the Model Shipways (MS) Bluenose. As what the other wrote, if you start a build-log then you can post there all your question and show us your progress.
In this --> BN-List <-- (see the end of post #1) you can find in the 2nd half a list of other MS Bluenose builds. In the column 'E' you can find the hyperlinks to there build-logs.
Hope to see you soon with you build.
Regards, Peter
 
Peter Voogt said:
Hi Chris.
Welcome to the SoS. Nice that you just started with the Model Shipways (MS) Bluenose. As what the other wrote, if you start a build-log then you can post there all your question and show us your progress.
In this --> BN-List <-- (see the end of post #1) you can find in the 2nd half a list of other MS Bluenose builds. In the column 'E' you can find the hyperlinks to there build-logs.
Hope to see you soon with you build.
Regards, Peter
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
Ignatius27 said:
Chris - Welcome to SoS! You will find many helpful resources and friendly people who are willing to share their experiences. As has been said, one of the best ways to get involved is to start a build log and ask questions within the build log. I usually ask questions by posting them in bold in my build log, like a shout out. It is also helpful to find your "niche" or "areas of interest" as there will no doubt people in those same spaces. One of my "sweet spots" is windjammer ships (under both sail and steam) ftom the late 1800s to the 1930s. Sure enough, there are folx here who love windjammers. Im also interested in working fishing boats and 17th century Dutch warships and merchant vessels.

Not everyone here is into building 80-gun British ships of the line. I have as much fun making a Chesapeake Bay crab boat model as I would building the Santissima Trinidad and Im just not partial to rigging 130 blocks and 60 lines of standing rigging on a tall ship. Find your way here, and just have fun!

Fair winds and followed seas!
Click to expand...
Thanks, just have to figure out how to start a build log.
 
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