Jan. 29, 08 - The first step in the construction of a full display model is to scale the design drawings.  Once the lines were scaled I split the body plan into individual stations and made up a set of molds from 1/16" balsa from the individual stations.  Each mold is built so that the waterline is the same distance above the building board.  Once the molds were cut out, I glued them to the building board at the appropriate spacing as shown above.  As you can see, the hull is built upside down.

Jan. 29, 08 (cont.) - The next step is to plank the hull.  I start that by putting a single plank along the centerline of the hull.  That planks helps define the shape of the hull and it keeps the molds the correct distance apart.  Once that plank is on, I put the shear and waterline planks on and start planking down from the shear.  Over the next couple of days I will finish planking the hull down to the waterline on each side.  When that is done, I will cut the transom into the hull.  After that I will plank the bottom of the hull.

Jan 31, 08 - Yesterday I finished planking the port side of the hull.  After I took this picture this morning, I moved on to the starboard side of the hull.  As of this afternoon, the hull in planked down to the waterline on both sides and I am working on the starboard side below the waterline.  I expect to finish planking the hull by the end of the weekend.

Feb. 4, 08 - Over the weekend I finished planking the hull.  After that I put a layer of fiberglass on the hull to reinforce and waterproof it.  I then cut the transom in.  Today, sfter the epoxy set I removed the model from the building board, finshed the transom and put a layer of fiberglass on it.  Tomorrow I will build the deck and start filling and fairing the hull.

Feb. 11, 08 - I wasn't able to spend much time on this model over the last week, but I did finish building the cambered deck.  After I took this picture I put a layer of fiberglass on the deck.  Tomorrow I will start filling and fairing the hull and deck.  While the fairing compound is curing I will also build the keel.

Feb 18, 08 - Last week I spent a good deal of time filling and fairing the hull.  Yesterday and today I put the first coats of primer on the bottom and topsides.  This paint serves primarily to highlight flaws on the hull that need spot filling.  I also built the keel.  After I took this picture I started fiberglassing the keel and I spot filled the imperfections on the hull.  Tomorrow I will sand the hull and reprime it.  I will also finish fiberglassing the keel.

Feb. 26, 08 - This last week I spent most of my time finishing up the model ahead of this one on my priority list.  I completed that model on Feb. 24th, so this model is now at the top of my priority list.  I have made some progress with this model though.  I finished fiberglassing, filling and fairing the keel and attached it to the model last night.  Yesterday I also built the rudder and temporarily attached it.  Finally I finished the fairing of the hull and deck.  After I took this picture I started buuilding the cockpit and cabin house.  At the end of the day today, I also put the first coat of top coat on the topsides.  Over the next few days I expect to finish building the cockpit and cabin house and also get the model's topsides painted, so I can attach the rudder permanently.

Feb. 27, 08. - The first coat of topsides paint is now on the model.  I have also put the bottom paint on the rudder, which is once again temporarily on the model.  Because of the location of the rudder post under the stern counter, but above the waterline, I have to finish the topsides painting before I can permanently install the ruder.  In addition to the painting I have roughed in the first part of the cabin house.  I still have to build the aft end of the house and put a second level on it.  After that I will build the coclpit coaming and seats.

March 4, 08 - Since my last update I have finished the major construction of the cabin house and cockpit and am now putting styrene facing onto the balsa.  I also received some new pictures of the boat that show the that the waterline is higher on the actual boat than on the drawings.  Consequently I will be raising the waterline on the model tomorrow.  I will also be permanently installing the rudder and finishing off the transom tomorrow.

March 17, 08 - Since my last update I have finished building the transom and cockpit.  I have also finished building the cabin top, except for four hatch bases, which will go on the model tomorrow.  After those hatch bases are installed, I will start the final painting of the model.

April 4, 08 - Since my last update I painted the non-skid light gray, but the paint color was darker than the color card suggested.  So I sanded the deck and cabin house down, repainted the white base color and used a lighter gray to repaint the non-skid areas. I also repainted the hull and then painted the boot stripe.  Today I put the sissy and cove stripes on and put the name and ports on as well.  Now that all the painting except the bottom is done, I will start detailing the model.  I will paint the bottom after most of the detailing is finished.  Oh yes, I also built the cherry display stand.

April 8, 08 - Since my last update I decided to put the first coat of paint on the bottom.  I also built the toe rails, although I haven't built the chocks yet.  I built and installed the chain plates yesterday and today I built the stainless steel handrails for the cabin top and the transom.

April 14, 08 - Since my last update I have started the metal work on the model.  I have finished maching the Harken primary and secondary winches and have made up yhe stainless steel bow sprit.  As you can see in the next picture, I have also been working on the transom.

April 14, 08 (cont.) - This picture shows the transom.  I have built the stainless hand rails, the thru-hulls, the telescoping board ing ladder and put in the companionway.  I am not happy with the companionway, so I will redo it.

April 22, 08 - I have now pretty much finished building the cockpit detailing.  The biggest addition has been the pedestal, wheel, instrument pod and cockpit table.  I also installed the cabin top hatches.

April 29, 08 - The new additions include the bow pulpit, which is made from 316 stainless steel.  The individual parts of the pulpit (there are 14 pieces in the pulpit) are silver soldered together).  I also built the prop shaft, strut and prop itself.  Finally I have finished the foredeck detail by adding the windlass, anchor with chain, windlass controls, cleats and padeyes for jack lines.  Fore deck details are shown more clearly below.

May 6, 08 - Since my last update I have built the mast, boom, vang, main traveller and the main sheet rigging.  I will finish the jib traveller tomorrow and then start work on the pushpit and radar arch.

May 12, 08 - Here is the nearly completed model.  Additions include the radar arch and pushpit and the lifelines.
 

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