This model is a 1"=1' scale half model of a Carl Alberg designed Sea Sprite 23. The model is 22.5" long. The model includes a gloss varnished teak toe rail and is mounted on a satin varnished mahogany board. The construction of the model is shown below.
This model is being built to the original Carl Alberg lines at a scale of 1"=1'. Consequently it will be 22.5" long. The model will have a teak toe rail and gold cove stripe. It will be mounted on a satin varnished mahogany board.
Oct. 5, 06 - I cut out and laminated the backplane for this model about a week ago. I set the model aside until today because I was sailing offshore for 4 days starting on Saturday Sept. 30. Today I cut out the station molds and glued them to the backplane. After that I attached the deck and glues the sheer and waterline planks onto the model. A feature of the construction process is evident at the aft end of the model. If you look closely tou can see a seam on the backplane where the transom will be. The last station mold is what is called a ghost station since it is aft of the actual transom. That mold allows the shape of the hull to be correctly built at the transom. When the hull has been planked down to the waterline, I will cut the transom in and remove the ghost station.
Oct. 8, 06 - This afternoon, after I got back from a great weekend sailing, I finished planking this model down to the waterline. I also cut the transom into the hull. Over the next few days I will finish planking the hull below the waterline and start fiberglassing the model.
Oct 13, 06 - Wednesday I got ambitious and finished planking the model. Yesterday I fiberglassed the deck. I will finish glassing the model over the weekend and then start the filling/fiaring/priming process.
Oct. 17, 06 - Last night I put the last pieces of fiberglass on the transom and the bottom of the keel. This morning I trimmed the glass and built the rudder. Over the next week or so I will be filling, fairing and priming the model and also cutting out and finishing the mahogany mounting board.
Oct. 20, 06 - Since my last update I have pretty much finished filling and fairing the model. I have also cut out and started varnishing the mahogany mounting board as well as the teak toe rail. I expect to have the model ready to paint sometime next week.
Oct. 27, 06 - Since my last update I have finished filliing, fairing and priming the model. The picture above, taken two days ago, shows the model after the primer painting was finished. Today I painted the topsides. I am not too happy with the result so I will repaint the topsides tomorrow and then paint the boot stripe on Tuesday. The mounting board is now at varnish coat 5 and looks like it will need about two more build coats before the final finish coat goes on.
Nov. 1, 06 - This model is now finished except for painting the bottom and putting the last three coats of varnish on the mounting board. Since the last update I have painted and buffed the topsides, deck and boot stripe. Today I installed the teak toe rail and put the 24 ct gold-on-vinyl cove stripe on. I will put the bottom paint on tomorrow. I expect to have the varnishing finished and the model mounted and ready to ship out by next Tuesday.
Nov. 4, 06 - Yesterday I painted the bottom and put the next to the last coat of varnish on this model. The model itself is now finished. After I took this picture I sanded the mounting board down and sprayed the final coat of satin finish varnish on. I will let that varnish cure until Monday when I will mount the model. This model will go out as soon as the brass nameplate arrives from the engraver.
Nov. 6, 06 - This model is now finished.