I've just finished the first planking for the Constructo Louise steam launch. And have confirmed that boat building, even for something without gunports and rigging is way more work than the planes I used to build. That's why I like this more

Anyway, I bought the kit and the paint at the same time, and when I looked at the plan and instructions, there is absolutely no information about painting the boat. Am I correct that if you use a second plank, which is pretty nice looking dark veneer, that you don't paint over it? (if I were going to paint the hull, why bother with the second planking?)

Does anyone have information?

thanks

 

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Hi Joe

I am just about to start building Constructo 'Louise' Victorian Steam Launch, so any tips, hints, problems you have experienced would be most welcome.
As to your question on painting the second planking veneer, I think what you need is a clear varnish that will enhance the colour of the wood and protect it. The question for me would be whether to use a gloss, satin or matt varnish.
The picture on the box suggests a gloss varnish has been used on that model.

Regards
Bob

 

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Hi Joe,
As far as I'm concerned you do not need a second planking, if you paint the hull, as long as you fill and sand the first layer smooth to your satisfaction.

 

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I definitely agree that wood planking should be finished off with clear varnish, especially where something more exotic than basswood is being used as a second layer.

Having said that, many of the Steam Launches still around have metal hulls. There is a website dedicated to the British Association that most of the owners belong to.

http://www.steamboat.org.uk/register/index.htm 

I have both versions of this kit (the original is/was the Elidir) to build this winter and while there look to be quite significant differences in the hull assembly both finished models are almost identical. One pet peeve that I have with the latest version is the name... if you checkout the website you will see that many Launches with a female name (including Louise) are in fact titled Lady... Being unimpressed with Constructo missing this point and being even more disappointed with the poor quality of the name plates I've gone for brass engraved plates for both models. There's a guy on eBay that sells engraved pet tags etc. very cheaply and I use them on all my models now.

Just to add a bit of trivia. Anybody who is curious about the name Elidir should Google the name and will find some really great scenic photos. The full name is Elidir Fawr and it's a "mountain" in the N.Wales area of the UK called Snowdonia.

Another bit of trivia. The real Lady Louise Launch looks nothing like the kit!

 

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