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Newbie in NJ

B

brivet

Joined
Aug 4, 2024
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Hello,
My name is Brian and I am new to modelling after receiving a kit at Christmas last year. It was a Grand Banks Dory, the first in the Model Shipways teaching series. After finishing that I moved on to the Norwegian Sailing Pram, finishing it with many mistakes and problems for which the directions made no mention :).
I am excited to start the third and final boat, the Muscongus Lobster Smack We have a summer home on Muscongus Bay. (Not in Friendship) and will make a case and display it there. After that, I'll make a similar John Alden Sloop.

I think I may prefer the smaller working boats over the larger sailing vessels, but that may just be because I'm new, have a lot to learn and find them daunting. I'm 67 and not ready to retire, so the time I have to work on them is limited as well.

Anyway, excited to be here!
 
also from my side a warm welcome here on board of our forum.
 
Welcome to this motley crew Brian, You really chose wisely with your starter kits! Will you be looking at kits or giving a go at scratch building? For smaller vessels that are less complex to build compared to a first rate warship, schooners are a popular choice for both kit and scratchers plus there is the Bluenose group build here at Ships of Scale so lots of experience to be shared. No matter your choices have fun and enjoy the ride.
Allan
 
AllanKP69 said:
Welcome to this motley crew Brian, You really chose wisely with your starter kits! Will you be looking at kits or giving a go at scratch building? For smaller vessels that are less complex to build compared to a first rate warship, schooners are a popular choice for both kit and scratchers plus there is the Bluenose group build here at Ships of Scale so lots of experience to be shared. No matter your choices have fun and enjoy the ride.
Allan
Click to expand...
Thanks Allan. Going with kits for now until I get some confidence, then will try scratch building. Love schooners and take a ride on one out of Camden Maine every summer (very tourist!). Looking forward to where this takes me!
 
brivet said:
Going with kits for now until I get some confidence
Click to expand...
No matter kit or scratch, do a lot of research. Some kits like those you built are great, some others not so much. Kit "bashing" has become more and more popular where you take your research (including asking a ton of questions here :) ) and change mistakes that may exist in the kit you choose. If you do not have a library of appropriate books (a VERY important tool), it is a great idea to start building one, a little at a time, based on the model you choose. There are a lot of great reference books, and many on the used book market that will save some money.

For schooners, as you spend time in Maine, a visit to Bristol Marine in Boothbay may be enlightening. It looks to be about 11 miles from Muscongus. They rebuilt Ernestina (nee Effie M. Morrissey) and there is a model of her there and I think the model of the Boothbay 65, build logs for which are here on SoS.

For details on schooner fittings and such, Chappelle's American Fishing Schooner is a great source. It is a pain to use as it has no index and is a mish mosh of articles and drawings but the information is priceless.

Allan
 
Hello and welcome. What part of NJ are you from? I am in Farmingdale, Monmouth County, NJ USA. If you are close, we could meet for lunch.
 
Is it a good idea to post an email on the public forum? It is my understanding this makes it available to unwanted entities and goodness knows we get enough unwanted junk mail. Not the case if sent via PM.

Allan
 
I agree with Allan, All personal information should be communicated via PM (Personal Message)
 
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