The Model
Before endeavoring on building a sailboat, having never built a boat before, I decided to listen to respected builders and build a (1/8) Scale Model first. This was wise advice. A lot of learning happens. My main take aways were . . .
Modeling will help you to:
1. Learn what kind of problems can be created by even the littlest mistakes. At 1/8 scale, mistakes are magnified 8 times! A small slip of the Exacto knife can look like a large error. Just missing by 1/32" will result in the appearance of a 1/4" mistake. An 1/8" error is a 1" disaster.
2. Confront things that you never thought of, but probably should have. You can't think of everything, but try to.
3. Organize an efficient workflow. Just like in mathematics, the order of operations matters.
4. Understand how the process modulates around the plan. "The best laid plans are made to change."
This page will document the model building process with pictures and descriptions
Modeling will help you to:
1. Learn what kind of problems can be created by even the littlest mistakes. At 1/8 scale, mistakes are magnified 8 times! A small slip of the Exacto knife can look like a large error. Just missing by 1/32" will result in the appearance of a 1/4" mistake. An 1/8" error is a 1" disaster.
2. Confront things that you never thought of, but probably should have. You can't think of everything, but try to.
3. Organize an efficient workflow. Just like in mathematics, the order of operations matters.
4. Understand how the process modulates around the plan. "The best laid plans are made to change."
This page will document the model building process with pictures and descriptions
BELOW:
The first thing I tried to do was to butt join two pieces of basswood together to get lengths for cutting the bottom and top sides. Tite-Bond and parchment paper with wood and weight on top to hold the planks flat.
The first thing I tried to do was to butt join two pieces of basswood together to get lengths for cutting the bottom and top sides. Tite-Bond and parchment paper with wood and weight on top to hold the planks flat.
BELOW:
I used the station lines and battens to mark the curves for the bottom and top sides. I used sewing pins to hold the battens in place.
I used the station lines and battens to mark the curves for the bottom and top sides. I used sewing pins to hold the battens in place.
BELOW:
I cut out frames, molds and bulkheads and attached them to a "strong back".
I cut out frames, molds and bulkheads and attached them to a "strong back".
BELOW:
Making the center board and keel box with fishing weights for lead.
Making the center board and keel box with fishing weights for lead.
BELOW:
Fitting keel box to bottom. Rudder. Transom assembly.
Fitting keel box to bottom. Rudder. Transom assembly.
BELOW:
Fitting top sides and bottom.
Fitting top sides and bottom.
BELOW:
The Bilge Panels. Used wrapping paper to determine shape of panels. I will use scrap cardboard boxes used for shipments of plywood from the box store, garbage to them. (Suggested by a worker when I was chatting about the project buying cheap wood for the carriage and strong back.) 4' x 16'. There is also a stiff role of poster-board thickness material that is available for purchase if the scrap cardboard does not work.
The Bilge Panels. Used wrapping paper to determine shape of panels. I will use scrap cardboard boxes used for shipments of plywood from the box store, garbage to them. (Suggested by a worker when I was chatting about the project buying cheap wood for the carriage and strong back.) 4' x 16'. There is also a stiff role of poster-board thickness material that is available for purchase if the scrap cardboard does not work.
BELOW:
Adding seats, cabin top, decking. You can see the error in the starboard bilge panel. The butt joints are rather apparent in this 1/16" basswood.
Adding seats, cabin top, decking. You can see the error in the starboard bilge panel. The butt joints are rather apparent in this 1/16" basswood.
I added some paint. Not 100% certain I like the color scheme. Still need to build the rigging and make the sails.
