I have been building the Mary Isabel for weeks now, but have only managed to put in a total of about 20 hours so far. The hull is almost ready to rig. Just needs davits, compass and a few rope coils. The display case is complete.I just don't have the enthusiasm that I once did.

Bob

Colin,

That is probably true of Model Boats forum where a lot of the models are R/C, and of more up-to-date types, but it certainly isn't where static models are concerned. The static model forums such as http://www.modelshipworld.com are about 99% (and all the rest) are rooted in the Napoleonic warship era and not even as up-to-date as double topsails. Powered ships are hardly ever undertaken, although the odd one does surface from time to time! I actually have had my own section in **LINK** for many moons, but it has been a total failure with participation at a very low level, where again, Napoleonic warships reign supreme and no one has had anything to add for months now.

Bob

Hi Amy Jane,

Not so simple as that. I like putting them on my website showing the building progress from lump of wood to completed model and most site visitors are happy with that, and don't say anything until the models are complete. But there is a continual trickle of people wanting private commissions, or first refusal on what I am working on at the time, and that makes it feel like a commitment, even if it is not! Also a continual trickle of "suggestions" as to what I should build. How about this – I was once asked if I had plans for a certain ship. I said "yes, would you like a copy (free of charge). " "No, they replied, could you build it?" I replied that I didn't take private commissions. "I don't want to buy it!" they replied, "I just want to see you build it!"

Bob

I have been building ships for so long, it would be hard to stop now! I suppose I should just stop giving excuses and reasons, trying to explain to people. I should just say I don't take private commissions and leave it at that!

I would really like to take up R/C, but no suitable water near where we are. Amazing that a place like Preston has no R/C pond, considering how popular the hobby seems to be!

Bob

Hi Peter,

Yes, you have hit the nail on the head about commissions!

Contact adhesive.

I prefer contact adhesive for rigging, but as you say, most of them are too stringy. For years, I used Thixofix, but they suddenly "improved" the formula and it became stringy. Then I went onto Bondloc from Maplin Electronics, but they discontinued it. Eventually, I discovered Edwards Contact Adhesive, ref Number F-20381 It is cheaper than other types, and quite runny, not stringy at all! I found it on Amazon by searching for the reference number F-20381. I still use Gorilla superglue and find it very good, but always use Edwards for the rigging nowadays.

Bob

The main and mizzen masts are now complete, and also the standing rigging on all three masts. At the moment, it is looking a bit unbalanced. The next task is to fit the four jibs to the bowsprit, and finally, the five square sails on the foremast.

Bob

Thanks Bob,

The triangular sails are called staysails when they are between the masts. They could minimize rolling and also helped to balance the whole rig. You very rarely see photographs of sailing ships without some of them set. Similar sails on the bowsprit are called jibs. Yes, the final colour is grey, which I find a bit drab, much preferring black or green hulls in sailing ships, or the once popular painted port colour scheme that was very smart.

There were all sorts of rigs, depending on the trade. Mary Isabel was built on the Firth of Forth, but sailed all the way to Australia, where she was registered in Sydney.

Bob

Finished at last – gasp gasp

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 11/02/2015 15:24:54

Hi Peter,

I don't fair it in, I just end the plating slightly short of the bow. When it has been painted, you can't tell. With miniatures, they usually look quite rough during the build, but after they are complete, they are generally viewed as a whole and small things do not attract attention. You can see that with the Mary Isabel. After it was in the sea and case, it looked a lot better than during construction.

Bob