This model is a Gary Mull designed Ranger 33 built to
an overall length of 25". The finished model is painted to match
the actual boat (white topsides and gray bottom). The model also
has a varnished teak toe rail. It is mounted on a gloss varnished
mahogany board. Since I was unable to find the lines for this boat,
I drew a set from outline drawings and pictures of the boat. Details
of the construction of the model are shown below.
July 6, 06 - Yesterday I cut out and laminated the backplane for this model. Today I cut out the station frames, flued them to the backplane, installed the deck and glued the sheer and waterline planks to the frames. Tomorrow I will start planking the hull. I will build the keel separately from the canoe body.
July 7, 06 - Today I finished planking the model down to the waterline. Over the weekend I will finish the planking and get started fiberglassing the hull.
July 9, 06 - Yesterday and today I worked on planking the hull and building the keel. I finished this afternoon. I have also cut out a rudder, which will be shaped later. I also drew a reference line at the waterline. After I took this picture I epoxied a layer of 6 oz fiberglass cloth to the deck of the model.
July 13, 06 - Since my last update I have fiberglassed the model as shown in the picture above. I have also put on and sanded off two coats of fairing compound and put the first coat of primer on the topsides. Tomorrow, after the topsides primer cures, I will prime the bottom. These first coats of primer serve to highlight flaws in the surface of the model, which I will spot fill before priming the hull again.
July 15, 06 - Since my last update I have painted the bottom with gray primer. Tomorrow morning I will spot fill the model, sand it out and then prime it again. Today I also cut the mounting board to its final 10.5"x29" size, chamfered its edges and started varnishing it. This model should be finished in about 10 days.
July 23, 06 - Since my last update I have finished the filling/fairing priming process and have started painting the model. In addition, I have been varnishing the mounting board. The picture above shows the model with the topsides painted and the mounting board with 6 coats of varnish applied (3 coats on each side). Tomorrow I will buff out the topsides paint. I have about 4 coats of varnish to go on the mounting board and the teak toe rail before I will be ready to finish the model and mount it.
July 26, 06 - This model is very nearly finished. Since my last update I have buffed out the topsides, painted the bottom and continued varnishing the teak for the toe rail and the mahogany mounting board. Tomorrow I will mount the teak toe rail, install the gold cove stripe and spray a coat of flat clear on the bottom and rudder. I have two coats of varnish to go on the mounting board, which will be done on Friday, so the model will be finished off this weekend.
July 28, 06 - This model is now finished except for buffing the mounting board out and actually mounting the model to the board. You can see that I have installed the teak toe rail and the gold cove stripe. I have also sprayed the gray bottom with clear flat lacquer. I will let the final coat of varnish on the mounting board cure for 24 hours before I do that.