I started this build log on Ships Of Scale and have been wondering about posting it on MSW, so when DDM launched, I thought it would be a good place for me to “repost” it. I will be maintaining/updating the existing log on both sites. I have a second log on my Bluenose (Model Shipways) that I’m reposting here as well.

 

5/5/23

Got this kit about a month ago and have been waiting to start it until I got to Vallarta, and I’m finally here. Since it is only my second build and my first not at home, I knew just getting everything to Mexico would be a bit of a challenge. After all, I’m still learning what tools and supplies I need at home, let alone trying to pack them up for Mexico. I was taking the approach of bringing whatever I thought I’d need and leaving it here. Adding to the challenge is flying not just internationally, but on Frontier. 

Normally we fly here on Southwest, but this time we tried Frontier, and a 40 pound checked bag limit (Southwest is 50 pounds). You might think 40 pounds is plenty, but that one checked bag is for both my wife and myself. Luckily as we got close to the limit, my wife suggested pulling a few things out, and none of them were model making stuff. She’s definitely a keeper. 

I know I said on my Bluenose build to not set tough goals on what to accomplish on the build, but that doesn’t mean to not set goals. I’m hoping to get the keel and bulkheads together, including some temporary battens attached to the bulkheads to reduce any warping or twisting that may occur in the hot and humid climate (completely opposite of what I’m used to in Denver, CO) and maybe the decking. I have about two and a half weeks here before heading home with our next trip down here in probably late October. It really isn’t too much work, so it should be doable. 

I expect at a minimum to have a couple of hours each morning (wrapped around my morning walk on the malecón/beach) as I wake up early and my wife sleeps in. 

The view from my work place is definitely different than at home. Instead of looking out at my pine tree lined yard, it a tropical vibe overlooking the pool and courtyard. 

Now it’s time to settle in and make sure everything is in the box. Everything appears to be here. I was fearful of some of the metal pieces missing but they were layered in with the laser cut wood. 

Today I labeled all of the laser cut wood, and cut out all the keel and bulkhead pieces. 

Next up, sanding and dry fitting the bulkheads.

Time for this portion: 1.5 hours 

Total time to date: 1.5 hours

5/6 to 5/8/23

Started work today by sanding the keel and bulkheads and I’m already seeing a number of differences from the Bluenose. 

1. Obviously they are different types of ships, but from a maker standpoint, the Buccaneer has more complex bulkheads meaning the sanding is more involved. 

2. Different manufacturers possibly meaning different philosophies on overall build. The Bluenose’s deck is planking on the tops of the bulkheads while the Buccaneer is planking on a board which then goes as one piece on the bulkheads. 

3. The Buccaneer’s instructions also have a “Q” code to a series of short videos (little to no audio) of someone building the ship. I’ve found build logs and videos of both ships, but these  short Buccaneer videos are a nice touch. 

4. The Bluenose’s hull planking was thin boards glued onto the bulkheads while the Buccaneer has wider planks which are nailed (and glued I’m assuming at this point). 

All the bulkheads are in place; next up are planking the five decks. As mentioned above, the decks are  glued onto boards which  are then glued onto the bulkheads. 

Realized a big difference in working down here… In Denver the glue dries VERY quickly. Down here (the same glue, out of the same bottle) dries not just slower, but differently. In Denver it dries to a fairly “hard” consistency.

Here in the humidity of Vallarta, it dries to a soft pliable consistency.  This was one of the things I asked about but no one would/could confirm. I might try a regular white glue over the next few days to see if there’s any difference. 

The decks are all plank on board construction. Putting the planks on the boards was very straight forward. I started by penciling the sides, but instead of one at a time I clamped several of them together and did many at the same time. Saw that on one of the OcCre videos. Nice time saving trick. 

I’ll let them dry overnight and cut/trim them in the morning. 

Time for this portion: 5 hours 

Total time to date: 6.5 hours

I'm following along with your build. I love this age of ship, the galleon style of vessel. Keep posting thank you. Are you planning on keeping it raw wood or adding some paint?

13 hours ago, Dan. said:

I'm following along with your build. I love this age of ship, the galleon style of vessel. Keep posting thank you. Are you planning on keeping it raw wood or adding some paint?

Thanks for following along. Most of it is the raw wood.

5/9/23

Woke up earlier than normal and started trimming the planked deck boards.

With 5 decks and 3 masts, this process took longer that I expected. Trimming with the grain went fairly quick but cross-grain trimming was a bit slow. I took a bit extra care whenever the trimming was extremely close to an edge of a plank. All told, the trimming took about 2 hours. 

While not 100% symmetrical, I was pleased with how they looked, even before sanding. Last night I was somewhat apprehensive of what the finished product would look like, but as soon as I started trimming the edges, I knew I’d be happy. Amazing what one step can do. Can’t wait to see what they look like after sanding. 

After a little more sanding, I “had” to see what the ship looked like with them on so I tried dry fitting them. And boy am I glad I did. I won’t blame it on my minimal experience, but somehow I did not seat 2 of the bulkheads all the way. The picture really doesn’t do it justice as there was no way the deck was going to sit properly. 

I felt I had 2 options

1. Cut/carve the tops of the bulkheads and the add/shim to the bottom of them. 

2. Cut the 2 bulkheads away from the keel and re-seat them. 

After contemplating this over a Pacifico con lemon, I decided to go with option 2. 

After 40 minutes of carefully cutting, scraping, picking, and moving the rear bulkhead back and forth, it was free and slid into it’s correct position. 

Half way home. 

Another 30 minutes on the other bulkhead had me a bit frustrated. I didn’t feel like I was progressing on it like I did with the other. 

I still had a few minutes before I was supposed to meet a friend to watch the sunset and have a few beers at the beach and told myself that maybe I should just call it a night and head to the beach BUT I didn’t listen to myself and kept cutting and picking away. 

And then SNAP - DISASTER! The keel snapped in half and my Buccaneer suddenly looked like the Titanic. All that was missing was Jack, Rose, and the Heart of the Ocean. 

If only I had listened to myself.  Beach beers were calling so I took a quick look and told myself it was going to be ok. Clean up the break, reposition the bulkheads, and the deck planks will help align everything. Or so I hope. 

Time for this portion: 5 hours 

Total time to date: 11.5 hours

Oops.

That’s why I always use standard white wood glue. If you make a mistake, you can treat it with isopropyl alcohol. The glue softens, and the pieces come "apart".

11 hours ago, Backer64 said:

Oops.

That’s why I always use standard white wood glue. If you make a mistake, you can treat it with isopropyl alcohol. The glue softens, and the pieces come "apart".

Yup, I learned that after the accident. When this happened, I was such a newbie.

32 minutes ago, VallartaHugh said:

I learned that after the accident

Sounds familiar... 😉

That is why I love working with wood. A little more glue, some added pieces to each side of the break for bracing, a few slight modifications, some sanding, and stronger than original. It all turns out in the end. Also gives you something to toast when drinking your next beach beer.

I use gorilla wood glue by my self and when i did something wrong or i need to separate the two parts for what reason ,i always drop water on the joint and after a few minutes with a sharp knife you can lose the two parts.

No damage….

Good luck with it.

Sjors