Questions about possible first kit

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Hi, new guy here, wanted to ask for advice on picking out my first kit. What I'm most interested in the long-run would be historically accurate models that I can pile a bunch of fun details onto. For background, I have experience with plastic models, modifying pewter miniatures for wargames, building terrain, and general carpentry skills, and already have most of the tools I need. I think I'll need to secure some glue, clips, clamps, rubber-bands, one of those big cylinder tips for my soldering iron, and maybe a couple new files. No big deal there, that's a relatively minor set of purchases and I won't regret any of them in the long run. I do not have a rotary tool like a Dremel or Proxxon (possible future purchase) but I do have several cordless drills which might do in a pinch.

Anyway, I'm interested in the following models for my first kit:

OcCre San Juan - I do not really like the Polaris and have seen some discussion surrounding whether it's actually a "schooner" by hull. The San Juan appears to be a good alternative from the same company and looks like an interesting kit. My big issue here is scale, it's 1/70 (why not 1/72?) and I'm worried about the rigging being a pain in the rear for a first-time build.

OcCre Bounty Boat - I like this guy, it has good detail and the scale is a decent size. Biggest worry is possible planking on frame.

Model Shipways Armed Longboat - This looks like a fun kit but it is explicitly plank on frame (I guess the Bounty Boat is too). My worry here is that, from the build logs I've seen of other Model Shipways Longboats, the "frame" pieces look to start as "bulkheads" which must be cut down and I don't know if I have the tools to do that inside cutting in a precise manner.

Big question here is which one would probably be the best to start with or which one(s) would be best to avoid for the first kit? I'd be happy with any of them and will probably end up building at least two of them.

Hoping to eventually work my way up to that beautiful Mamoli Catalina but the planking absolutely looks like it requires solid experience, so that's a long-term goal. First things first.

Thanks in advance! There's so much on this site to be inspired by and I hope I can eventually contribute in even a small way.

 

[Pepite 1/60]

Hi, I think the best kit to build is the one you like best, regardless of its difficulty or complexity. The trick is to stop when you hit a serious stump, take your time to think the problem over, and go on when you have worked your mind around it. There is no shame in putting a too big project aside for a while and to take on something easier until you feel ready to go on with your 'dreamboat'. It's a hobby, not a job.

 

[Kurt Konrath]

Rigging is always a PIA, regardless of type and scale, larger scale is easier to learn on as spacing is easier to get done.

As for the Longboat and Bounty Ship, most have nearly sold bulkhead frames with sections that are precut to allow for easy breakaway.

Most kits are what are called Plank on bulkhead (POB) as they are made with widely spaced bulkheads, versus a Plank on Frame (POF) which has many more closely spaced frames, almost or exactly what real ship had.

Two suggestions to help with your thinking:

1. Use search tool here to check out what others have posted in build logs about the kit and ship.
2. Go to venders website, and look for instructions, many like Model Shipways/Model Expo you can download instructions for review before buying kit to see exactly what your getting into.

Another thing to think of is do you want your first kit to be single planked hull, which is only one layer, where you see it in all it glory, or gore, depending on job done, or a double planked hull, where you do a heavy first layer, which can be ugly and then fixed with sanding and putty, and it gets a second thin layer added for final hull finish which is easier due to first layer holding structure and smoothness.

Good luck with what ever you choose.