Any advice please for Billing Boats – Will Everard!

[Lia vineParticipant @liavine27292]

Hello!

I'm a complete boat building newbie – my husband got me this kit about 5 years ago (pre-children!) as I've always wanted to build one, and I now finally have the time to do it….but the instructions are shocking!!

I'm at the point of adding the planks, but seem to have two different types (one thick and one thin), with no explanation for what they're used for. Also, I've seen suggestions on the forum for holding the planks whilst the glue sets, and pinning seems to be a no no but not sure how to go about attaching clamps (have some model craft clamps) or elastic bands as the hull is built in two halves. Should I stick the halves together before starting to plank, or is there a better way?

Sorry for firing the questions, but feel a bit deflated after attempting to decode the instructions…determined to get the excitement back that I had when starting!

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[Lia vineParticipant @liavine27292]

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Lia

These small models are the very devil to plank, does the kit use blocks at the bow & stern or do the planks go all the way ?? a few pictures may help us help you

Regards Ray

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Lia

Try watching some tutorials on youtube link , link, link, they are very instructive and, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Good Luck

Paul

[Lia vineParticipant @liavine27292]

Hi Ray & Paul,

Thanks so much for responding!

I've looked at the videos you suggested Paul, and they are brilliant! I've just ordered some binder clips and looked up how to turn them into two way clips (to the side and above, if you know what I mean!), and I think that I can figure out how to use them to clamp the planks as I go along…great! Also, I hadn't even considered how (or that it was even necessary) to heat the wood to stop it splitting when I tried to attach it, so seeing how it's done was fab. So much to consider!!

I've attached some images of my boat Ray, and I think that what I'm interested in now is whether I should stick the two hull halves together before starting to plank, and whether I should be cutting the planks into smaller sections and attaching them like that, rather than trying to attach one long plank from side to side? If you have the time to take a quick look and give me some advice/guidance I would really appreciate it!

Thanks so much guys

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Lia

Well done for taking on the daunting task of planking, I had been model building for years before I attempted planking, in fact it was the launch from HMS Bounty and I made a complete mess of it.

This is the kit in question……but not the actual one that I built as that one ended up as parts for other models.

Paul

[John Arnold 3Participant @johnarnold3]

Hello Lia,

I know exactly how you feel as I have recently finished planking the hull of a sailing boat also by Billings. The instructions are TERRIBLE and that is being polite! It is my first ever timber boat build from a kit.

It seems from your photos that the hull is built in two halves as mine was.

I would NOT glue the two halves together before planking as I think being a newbie the possibility of ending up with a warped hull are increased.

Which kit do you have? IN the back of the instruction manual under the heading of Table contents' (list of parts supplied) does it list two different size strips marked 'planking strips? Maybe the thinner ones are for something else such as the rails.

I think building the hull in two halves makes it a little easier to prevent warping BUT I suggest that you lightly nail each 'keel' to a piece of timber (you probably have one supplied in the kit) as this will help the keel from possible warping. Obviously the nails will need to be removed when they get in the way of planking so works out where best to place them. Even though I did this I found that when I had completed the planking and needed to glue the two halves of the hull together they didn't come together perfectly and I had to use a lot of strong rubber bands around the complete hull while the glue dried.

Also apply each plank in its full length rather than in pieces as it will be difficult I suspect ensuring a nice smooth flow along the length. See below in advice when planking.

Will the hull be painted when complete? If so don't be too worried about leaving minor gaps between the planks as they can be filled later.

Advice when holding planks to the ribs. I used a combination of small fold back clips (used to hold sheets of paper together) clipped onto the ribs to hold each plank hard up against the previously attached plank, as well as push pins (pushed through the planks and into the ribs (don't worry about holes left as these can be easily filled later) and rubber bands.

Edited By John Arnold 3 on 09/02/2018 10:49:10

Edited By John Arnold 3 on 09/02/2018 10:51:34

Edited By John Arnold 3 on 09/02/2018 10:56:06

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