Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Hi Dave,

I ran out of cash, for the moment, for the workshop. Been working on outdoor home projects. :=((

If I remember correctly, I was going to do a couple of upper belts on the POB II, and then jump to the keel belts. I would then fill in the other belts.

How does that sound to you?

Rick :?:

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

You're scaring me, Rick...I was also just thinking, probably after finishing the A belt, of hopping down to the D belt, just to break the tedium a bit.
Get to try our hands at nibs and stealers.
Great minds, and all that, eh??
Cheers,
Dave

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Hi guys,
Well, two planks away from finishing Belt A. Starboard belt done, 1st plank on the last strake installed postside. Will get some pics tonite (tho doesn't look much different).
Lessons learned. Watch the tapering, and keep checking/measuring as you go. On my next belt, I'll make sure my belt marks are right the first time, along with the individual strake marks on each bulkhead. I ended up with confusing marks all over, and they're hard to erase. Check thickness of each plank before installing...I was using the store bought 1/8" planks, and a couple are "thin" in places, will probably need to fill some areas and sand some others. Getting planks to sit neatly in the counter rabbet has been a problem, there will be some cosmetic work to do here. Bow is very neat thusfar. Edge bevelling a continuing challenge, estecially under the counter.
Need to think about where to go after this belt is done...the nibs and stealers concern me. Probably B then D...
Dave

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Good morning folks,
Progress is going well in the "B" belt on the Pride. I'm finding it easier after a few technique refinements. I first very, very carefully and methodically measured the lower line for the belt, and marked each bulkhead. Then used dividers to ascertain the halfway point of the belt, then proceeded to mark for each plank on each bulkhead...A couple hours of eyestrain very well spent.
The belts are wider, a little taper at the stern, more at the bow. Not as much as with the A belt. Edge bevelling is much better now with the somewhat bigger planks. I'm "off" the 1/8" storebought planks now, and am using the bigger kit planks...much sanding.
The planks are sanded entirely entirely to shape, no cutting. Sawdust is quite a mess. I am now using my handy drywall sandpaper to remove most of the scrap material, then refine the shape on a big sheet of 220. Sand, check fit, sand, check fit, etc.
Two strakes down, the bend at the L bulkhead is becoming significant. It's all going nicely, and will get some pics when this belt is done. I'm finding this belt much easier, so far.
Dave

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Plugging along in the B belt. I'm having some issues with unevenness between the planks, some higher or lower than others in places. Sanding and filling will fix it, but just bothers me that it's there.
Hot water soaking the aft planking now where it bends, and twists, around the L bulkhead on it's way to the counter. It alleviates a whole lot of stress that would otherwise be there...I "could" have done without it, but it wouldn't be happy wood.
The bow part of the B belt planking is indeed pretty narrow at the stem rabbet, but elsewhere it's comfortably wide, with a bit of edgewise bending happening the lower I go. Edge beveling going well. (this coarse drywall sandpaper is helpful in the hard core sanding department)
A few new pics up, you may see a couple of the aftmost soaked/bent planks that are awaiting further gluing. In retrospect, these are too short, I should have extended the plank in front clear back to the counter and scribed in a false plank butt. The plank/counter area is "so-so" but will be cleaned up best I can before the paint goes on.
...steady as she goes...

Dave

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Closing in on finishing the 5th of 6 strakes in the B belt. The aftermost parts going around the L bulkhead are water boiled and bent for the curve there. It's a pretty hard bend, made moreso by my insufficient beveling of the aft part of the L bulkhead...I'm kinda bevelling as I go from here.
I also have the first aft plank shaped for the little counter/sternpost rabbet notch, fits really well, all sorts of beveling and shaping there. Just need to do some tapering and then do the soak and bend thing. Sandpaper is my main tool for all this planking.
Also have the lowermost stealer for the D belt shaped and it fits the rabbet down there nicely. Just had to try my hand down there after all this upper planking.
Going slowly with this first effort at "real" planking, sawdust everywhere. I keep reminding myself..."perfection you may dream of, but finish the model you must"!!! I think Yoda might have taught me that one. My POB album has a few new shots as I plod forward.
I'm off of work for the Thanksgiving break next week...you all have a safe and pleasant holiday.
Dusty Dave

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Well, belt B is done. More learning going through that belt...bulkhead beveling is an issue, plank beveling is better, accurate plank shaping really matters. The last two planks, the lowest aft B belt planks, I shaped the aft ends to fit neatly into the sternpost rabbet, then trimmed (sanded) the forward end to meet the forward plank flush.
Starting the D belt now, have the two aft/lower stealers shaped, and the starboard low aft plank built...actually hauled out the Zona saw to cut out the big chunk on that one, moving beyond "just" the sandpaper for these bigger planks.
Rick...Sal...are you all still out there? I miss the sharing here and your experiences. Hope you are doing well...until then, folks get to endure my "diary".
New pic in the album...finish the ship!
Dave

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Belt D done. Interesting exercise in edge beveling to fit the rabbet and the forward nib ends on the planks, getting those shaped to fit the plank below, and the stem rabbet.
I've kinda put the planking diagram away now, bunches of plank shaping ahead to fill the remaining gap with 7 planks per side for the C belt.
The end of the hull planking is in sight.

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Had the same problem when I built the Flying Fish hull. Good news: it later disappearead completely. Bad news: still don't know what rectified it. In my case too the twist occurs at the stern where the notches for the bulkeads are deeper. I'm pretty sure the twist came from too tight fit. I remedied it (partly) by forcing the structure a little when I put the hull dividing battens into place. I also added a few tight fitting blocks along the keel to force JUST A LITTLE the bulkheads apart.

Re: Pride of Baltimore II
 

Thanks for that, it's just something I need to watch carefully for on every build.
Your Yacht Mary is beautiful!
I need to get back to work on this and finish these last strakes.