Cala Esmeralda 1:58 by Occre [COMPLETED BUILD]

[OlivierF]

I’m a bit late in starting a build log but, what the heck, here goes…
I’m building the Cala Esmeralda from OcCre started this past August.


once the deck was planked it was on to the bulwarks. Needed all my small clamps to bend them into position. I probably won’t do it that way again.

 

[OlivierF]

Completed the first planking which went fairly well but it seems like I was sanding for days.

 

[Uwek]

You are on a very good way
- the first planking of the hull is well done and will be a very good basis for the second one.

 

[OlivierF]

Second planking completed in October. Now on to the deck furniture…

 

[OlivierF]

Installed the frames, main rail and gunwale. In retrospect, I should have drilled the holes in the main rail for the belaying pins. It was much harder to drill them once the rails were installed. Oh well, live and learn…

 

[OlivierF]

Started working on the deck furniture. it’s always a challenge between my fat fingers and the tiny parts on which will win.

 

[OlivierF]

I was not a fan of the cast windlass so i got a cheap mini lathe (really cheap at $35) and turned a new piece.
An improvement, I think…

 

[OlivierF]

Also I really didn’t like the cast buckets. So I took my new cheap lathe and turned some new ones. I’ll probably do them over but for now they work.

 

[Bluebeard]

Your model is coming along so beautifully.
Where did you buy the mini lathe?

 

[Dr Lou]

Realy beautiful work! Where did you find the lathe?

 

[OlivierF]

Your model is coming along so beautifully.
Where did you buy the mini lathe?

Realy beautiful work! Where did you find the lathe?

Thanks for your kind words.
I bought the cheapest lathe model available on Amazon. Having never used a lathe of any kind, I figured if it was a failure I wasn’t out a lot.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07HKZPDDD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

[shota70]

גם אני ממש לא אהבתי את הדליים היצוקים. אז לקחתי את המחרטה הזולה החדשה שלי והפכתי כמה חדשות. אני כנראה אסיים אותם אבל בינתיים הם עובדים.
View attachment 343498View attachment 343499

wonderful work, well done אגודלים למעלה

 

[KeithLyall]

I was not a fan of the cast capstan so i got a cheap mini lathe (really cheap at $35) and turned a new piece.
An improvement, I think…
View attachment 343467View attachment 343468View attachment 343469

Totally agree with regard to metal casts. I modelled metal parts of the Occre Endeavour in wood. Nice work.

 

[OlivierF]

Completed the deck furniture. Still need to install the belaying pins, and rigging anchors. Dry fitted the masts in order to get measurements for the shrouds. Still trying to calculate the appropriate shroud and stay diameters. I’ve got a couple excel rigging spreadsheets but I can’t get them to agree…
I guess I’ll keep working on it.
I spent some time trying to find any reference to the actual Esmeralda and discovered that there is no such ship. I was able to determine that this model appears to be based off of a Spanish Schooner currently called the Santa Eulalia which sails tourists around Barcelona. I haven’t found any plans or details about that ship but I do have pictures so I may try and extrapolate from there…

 

[GrantTyler]

Good morning Olivier. Thanks for sharing your build this far. Really good looking model. Your detail remake of the buckets and capstan are brilliant. Looking forward to more. Cheers Grant

 

[Uwek]

you are showing us very good and accurate work - you are on a very good way
also the treenailing of the deck planking is well done

 

[OlivierF]

Today was rope making and dying day. I finally calculated the appropriate sizes for shrouds and stays so I needed to make them as the kit rope is not worth talking about… got the main stay, shroud and back stay ropes made. I also served the shroud lines so I think I’m ready to start the standing rigging.

 

[OlivierF]

Started installing the shrouds. Mounted them to the masts and half the foremast complete before my hands cramped up…
also need to make more 4mm rope for the lanyards.

 

[OlivierF]

Slowly making progress on the lower shrouds. With my fat fingers and poor eyesight it takes time And I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not a race…
Does anyone have any tips on how to get the lanyards to sit flatter and more straight to the shrouds? I’ve redone them several times and still not happy… very frustrating.
Merry Christmas to all!
Joyeux Noël à tous!
Fröhlich Weihnachten an alle!
Buon Natale a tutti!

 

[OlivierF]

The more I complete the main shrouds and lanyards, the less pleased I am with the results. I’m seriously thinking about starting over with different thread and or rope diameters. I’m really not sure of what to do. Maybe I’ll put it aside for a bit and think about it… Happy New Year everyone!