Santa Maria by Amati

[Tony1955]

I dont know if this is in the right place, its not so much a build log, more a way of marking my progress, and getting suggestions on how to improve my build skills. If its in the wrong place please move it.
I started the Santa Maria several months ago. Its certainly the first proper masted sailing ship i have attempted. While im waiting for missing parts to arrive i thought id show where I am to date. For me so far the second planking has been the most difficult part.

 

[Uwek]

Good looking status - accurate and clean work
Maybe sometimes it is hard to finish some working steps, but there is every time a light at the end of the tunnel.
The boring and often never ending planking works are now behind you - now the fun will start

 

[Tony1955]

Skipping right to the end of the project, heres the finished model. Ive certainly learned a lot through this building process. Thanks to all the chaps that helped me out. Its not perfect, but Im happy with it and next time there will be less mistakes!

 

[aussie43]

Hi Tony,

She looks very nice !!

I am new here on SoS forum and just considering starting wood kits of sailing ships. I have been doing plastic kits of WW2 armour and planes for a while and trains before that.
I am actually looking at the Santa Maria - finding as much as I can about the Amati kit and the Artesania Latina kits - original or the new one.

You mentioned missing parts. That would be a problem for me in Australia because they normally do not ship here.
Was it something that had to be from Amati, or could it be substituted with general parts from hobby shops?

Apart from that - what is your opinion of Amati versus Artesania Latina? They also make Santa Maria and those are common in Australia and AL ships missing parts from Hong Kong.

 

[Tony1955]

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words about the ship. I started with plastic kits before trying my hand at wood.

The main missing parts were wood, so I would imagine you should be able to source repalcements if nessessary. The kit sails had red dye on them so i need those replaced too. I found the instructions a little confusing in places, but the drawings and plan provided are very comprehensive. All in all it I enjoyed building it.
I cant comment on the AL kit, I have heard that the rigging instructions arent too great though. Have a search on here for reviews of both kits.

whichever one you choose, I hope you enjoy it.

regards
Tony