• Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.
  • PRE-ORDER SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026

Syren 1803 1:64 Model Shipways

Boat bash completed /:

A long overdue update with, unfortunately, very slow progress as I battle prolonged health issues. Nevertheless, I have finished the 25 foot longboat.

As mentioned previously I decided to make it mostly from pear instead of the supplied kit basswood, using the lift method for hull construction. Although I did use a few laser cut parts from the kit, such as the keel, stem and sternpost when I was having a lazy day Sleep.

For fun I have added some small items in the boat including a toggle painter, boat hook, additional line etc. I lashed the oars in pairs but ignored the additional lashings securing them to thwarts. The oars would have been made from ash, beech or fir. I decided on fir and stained them to simulate a darker wood. I think a lighter AYC simulating ash would have been better but it is what it is.

The longboat will be mounted on the gallows bitts between the sweeps. The manual says to not worry about chocks but I think I’ll make them anyway, for additional security in place. The 16 sweeps have also now been sanded to shape and stained to simulate a darker fir. I believe the wood of choice for ships’ sweeps was fir.

I continue to be unpleasantly surprised at how close-up photos show every blemish. Something a lot of us are familiar with (except Paul @dockattner ROTF). Of course at 11cm in length the boat looks better when viewed from further away.

Hopefully back to the main build from hereon. Thanks for using some of your valuable time to follow my progress.

IMG_1755.jpeg

IMG_4522.jpeg
 
I like how your lifeboat came out. If I remember correctly, I may have skipped them in my Syren model. But I am not skipping them in my Constitution model. I have 4 to make.
 
I like how your lifeboat came out. If I remember correctly, I may have skipped them in my Syren model. But I am not skipping them in my Constitution model. I have 4 to make.

Thanks Jack, the manual mentions the Syren may have had a longboat, pinnace and jolly boat. I’m going to stay with just the longboat I think. I need to move on to other fixtures. I don’t envy you making four, I have no doubt they will turn out really well.
 
Thanks Jack, the manual mentions the Syren may have had a longboat, pinnace and jolly boat. I’m going to stay with just the longboat I think. I need to move on to other fixtures. I don’t envy you making four, I have no doubt they will turn out really well.
A Pinnace, 2 whale boats, and a Gig. I don't really know what the difference is between a gig and a whale boat, but that;s what they call it...
 
That is a lovely-looking small boat, Roger. I really appreciate your subdued choice of colors on it - enough to make it stand out when viewed on its own, but not so lavish that it will detract from the main ship's stunning appearance.
 
Hello Heinrich, good to hear from you and thanks for your always welcome comments. I can’t claim the choice of colours for the longboat hull. I used the suggested white and black from the manual. However, I too like the subdued look and also feel the boat will quietly blend with the rest of the vessel.
 
Back
Top