Artesania Latina 1/75 Bluenose II

[fox]

Greg, I didn't mean to scare you off trying to build one. I think you could do a great job on one of them. Just be prepared for quite a bit of work. Have you done any wooden models (planes or cars) or worked with any kind of wood? If you have, then you can handle one of these sailing ships.

Stay safe.
Jim 

[greg]

Sept 15, 2024 19:38:42 GMT -5 fox said:

Greg, I didn't mean to scare you off trying to build one. I think you could do a great job on one of them. Just be prepared for quite a bit of work. Have you done any wooden models (planes or cars) or worked with any kind of wood? If you have, then you can handle one of these sailing ships.

Stay safe.
Jim 

Ha. I was worried that you might take my comment that way, scaring me off.

Not at all, Jim. I have a comfort level with snipping styrene and it's really just that simple. It's a real treat watching skilled ship builders like yourself create, but I'm content spectating.

Have you done any wooden models (planes or cars) or worked with any kind of wood?

I scratch-built a PT-109 as a grade school project. It vaguely resembled a boat. Other than the obligatory Cub Scout Soap Box Derby car, that's about it. But no, I'm not afraid of wood. And I'm cutting 2x2's for my model paint shelf project today.

[fox]

Oh, a model paint shelf? What scale is it, 1/72, 1/35, 1/48?   

Stay safe.
Jim 

[greg]

Sept 16, 2024 16:35:43 GMT -5 fox said:

Oh, a model paint shelf? What scale is it, 1/72, 1/35, 1/48?   

Stay safe.
Jim 

That is funny! Thanks, just what I needed after an annoying afternoon....a nice laugh.

[fox]

Okay, another update. All the booms are finished and attached to their respective masts with their trucks.

photos.app.goo.gl/Nmaokz7g1SnagqNbA

Started rigging the booms to their masts.

photos.app.goo.gl/GKMxdDUfVivLacCz8

Next step was the sails. There were no attachment points on the sails for attaching them to the masts or booms. So, I had a drawer full of different size eyelets. Made holes in the sails with a variable size punch. It worked fine and the eyelets slipped right in. I didn't have a tool to set the eyelets and my wife came to the rescue with a small box of tools for setting them. One of the pieces in the set fit the small eyelets. Worked perfectly.

photos.app.goo.gl/hHXzvSLLymCDtZSv7

I did a check of the sails and they are going to have to be ADJUSTED. Too short here, too long there. Luckily I have an excellent seamstress only a few feet away that can help me fix them. So, see you at the next update.

Stay safe.
Jim 

[handiabled]

Excellent update Jim! Your wife certainly came to the rescue with the sails. The eyelets look fantastic!

[bakster]

Looking sweet, Jim. Sails look great. So nice your wife contributes to your build.

[fox]

Sorry for the long absence. Have had a few medical problems lately (as a lot of us elder citizens do) and working at the bench has been a lot less than usual. The main problem is having cataracks removed. Had left eye done about a month ago and today was the last of the 5 drops a day. Had right one done two weeks later. Have some swelling there that is being a PITA. After 2 weeks of 3 drops a day, the doctor upped it to 6 to get the swelling down. Two more weeks of them. Trying to work on rigging the sails when you're looking through the water in the pool is a little disturbing. Working behind the ratlines, and they won't quit being wavy, is no fun. I was able to take 1 photo that wasn't blurred. Will post it as soon as I can. It's taken me a while to type this post too due to the letters doing the hula dance while I'm trying to look for them and land on them. And I haven't had anything to drink either. 

Will catch up ASAP.

Stay Safe.
Jim 

[cbaltrin]

I am sorry to hear about your difficulties Jim.  Hope you are back at the bench soon!

[keavdog]

Hang in there Jim. I had laser retina eye surgery - which was the weirdest experience of my life. So eye problems, particularly for us, are a bitch.

[handiabled]

Sorry your having a rough go of it Jim. I hope the eye problems get resolved quick for you. It has to be super frustrating.

[kyledehart5]

Hey Jim, no need to apologize. I hope your eye recovery comes along quickly and you can get to seeing better than ever!!

[fox]

Thanks for the kind words guys. In the beginning, they said I wouldn't need glasses again to see distances, only for reading. Well, now it seems I'll need them for both again. Been using drugstore 2.5 glasses for most of the work at the bench. Sometimes I use the jewelers headband with 3 different lenses. Won't know which ones I'll be using until after the two weeks are over and I'm fitted for my new ones. It's just so much fun getting old. If you believe that one, I have a bridge for sale over a swamp real cheap.

Stay safe.
Jim 

[406 Silverado]

Oct 9, 2024 20:47:58 GMT -5 fox said:

Sorry for the long absence. Have had a few medical problems lately (as a lot of us elder citizens do) and working at the bench has been a lot less than usual. The main problem is having cataracks removed. Had left eye done about a month ago and today was the last of the 5 drops a day. Had right one done two weeks later. Have some swelling there that is being a PITA. After 2 weeks of 3 drops a day, the doctor upped it to 6 to get the swelling down. Two more weeks of them. Trying to work on rigging the sails when you're looking through the water in the pool is a little disturbing. Working behind the ratlines, and they won't quit being wavy, is no fun. I was able to take 1 photo that wasn't blurred. Will post it as soon as I can. It's taken me a while to type this post too due to the letters doing the hula dance while I'm trying to look for them and land on them. And I haven't had anything to drink either. 

Will catch up ASAP.

Stay Safe.
Jim 

  Heya Jim, I'm really sorry to hear of the medical issues buddy. The eyesight one has to be a real challenge to work through and we're hoping and praying for the best that you'll get your eyesight restored to a good level. 

[fox]

Thanks Silverado, appreciate it. 

Stay safe.
Jim

[greg]

Best wishes to you. I sometimes think about how we take our perfect vision for granted when we are young. (for those of us so blessed.....for a while anyway)

[fox]

Hi everyone! This message is not coming from the great workbench in the sky. I'm still here. 

Got my new glasses last Friday and true to my great luck they need some work so I will have to take them back Monday to be fixed. Tried to work on the Bluenose but the glasses keep sliding down my nose and they are not level. I guess all of you that wear glasses know what that does. HOPEFULLY problems will be solved Monday and I'll be able to FINALLY get back to work at the bench. 

So, look for the next post on the Bluenose soon.

Stay safe.
Jim 

[handiabled]

Glad your on the mend! I hope the issue with your glasses gets squared away.

[kyledehart5]

Good to hear from you!! Hopefully those glasses get fixed up and you can get back to the bench!!

[fox]

Thanks for the kind words guys! Glasses are fine now and I am back to work at the bench. It's great being back to work.

Got the foresails rigged and the jib sail. They look ok as is but looking at them it seems to me that there is something wrong with the way they are rigged. I think that I need some help from an experienced sailboat skipper to explain the set-up to me.There are 3 stays between the tops of the foresail and mainsail masts to prevent bow to stern movement. That seems to be a logical thing to have, but, they prevent the sails on the foremast from being changed from port to starboard when needed. The boom between the 2 sails cannot pass through these 3 lines. I have taken photos and will get them posted as soon as possible. Probably a little later tonight. 

Stay safe.
Jim 

[keavdog]

I imagine tacking that ship was a bit of work.

[fox]

Hi John! 

I agree with you that it is a bit of work. The building materials are different and the way you put the parts together is different. But my feeling is that it's just another model. I guess it's easy for me to say that because I started out with a lot of wooden kits that my uncles brought us and I got used to building whatever they brought. Then I got into stick and tissue models that require very careful building or they don't fly well(or at all). Then R/C planes and boats (before they started using plastics). So, I guess all that installed a building ethic that taught me to do a good job or it won't look good or work. I enjoy the difficulty in building certain kits and the time it gives me to sit at the bench with different background music playing and have a pleasant time enjoying my hobby and trying to do my best. 

Stay safe.
Jim 

[handiabled]

It's great your back at the bench again! I'm sure you'll get the rigging squared away but unfortunately I am of no help in that area.

[406 Silverado]

Nov 25, 2024 0:16:13 GMT -5 fox said:

Hi John! 

I agree with you that it is a bit of work. The building materials are different and the way you put the parts together is different. But my feeling is that it's just another model. I guess it's easy for me to say that because I started out with a lot of wooden kits that my uncles brought us and I got used to building whatever they brought. Then I got into stick and tissue models that require very careful building or they don't fly well(or at all). Then R/C planes and boats (before they started using plastics). So, I guess all that installed a building ethic that taught me to do a good job or it won't look good or work. I enjoy the difficulty in building certain kits and the time it gives me to sit at the bench with different background music playing and have a pleasant time enjoying my hobby and trying to do my best. 

Stay safe.
Jim 

  I believe a good number of us can identify with that statement I highlighted Jim.  Personally, I think I'd go dang near stir crazy trying to build one of these things, but you make it look all too easy pal.

[keavdog]

Nov 25, 2024 0:16:13 GMT -5 fox said:

Hi John! 

I agree with you that it is a bit of work. The building materials are different and the way you put the parts together is different. But my feeling is that it's just another model. I guess it's easy for me to say that because I started out with a lot of wooden kits that my uncles brought us and I got used to building whatever they brought. Then I got into stick and tissue models that require very careful building or they don't fly well(or at all). Then R/C planes and boats (before they started using plastics). So, I guess all that installed a building ethic that taught me to do a good job or it won't look good or work. I enjoy the difficulty in building certain kits and the time it gives me to sit at the bench with different background music playing and have a pleasant time enjoying my hobby and trying to do my best. 

Stay safe.
Jim 

Ha... great comment but I was referring to tacking being the act of putting the bow through the wind and having to move all those jibs to other side on the full-size Bluenose II.  Beautiful ship.

[fox]

Sorry John! Guess I was more tired than I thought and totally misunderstood. You're right. Just looking at the set-up of the sails and lines it would be quite a job to  change tacks. I've got a lot to learn. 

Stay safe.
Jim 

[fox]

Thanks Silverado, I appreciate the kind words.

I'll be trying to get some photos over here tonight. Been taking some every time I work on the boat but haven't had the time to transfer them over. I have some photos of other things I'm working on or have worked on to put in other sections of the forum. 

Stay safe.
Jim 

[fox]

I'm back! I didn't get the photos over on Wednesday or the next couple of nights either. Sorry about that. We worked on getting them over tonight and I think we made it ok so I'm going to try to post them now. As a woman I worked with for years used to say "Maybe, Maybe not".

First item in the manual is the foremast sails. Tried to keep my usual number of turns when seizing the lines to the sails. I usually used 10 turns which gives a nice look to the lines. Had to cut some shorter as there was not much room between some of the blocks and the sails. I had to down size some of the sails as they were too large. Even then, a couple of the lines had to be pulled right up to the seizing. I didn't want to cut the sails down too much.

photos.app.goo.gl/167GGSyxmYZ8BHW57


The Foresail trysail was larger than the full size photo. My wife worked on it to get it to my specs. Even trimming the size of the sail didn't look right. The boom that holds the top of the sail doesn't clear the stay that helps hold the masts in place. The sail will not be able to go from port to starboard or starboard to port when needed. and the upper sails will also not be able to make the tranition. I don'tunderstand this set-up as I have not learned too much about these older sailing ships. I understand the reason for the stays but it seems to make it very difficult for the sails to be moved.

photos.app.goo.gl/avvreeyYyaTDTsDk9


I completed the installation of the sails on the foremast and then worked on the rest of the Jibs. The kit did not supply enough belaying pins for tying off the lines. The ones they supplied were white metal. I had a small supply of wooden ones from other kits so I used them where needed.

photos.app.goo.gl/boFHrWnSNsnGyRzJ9



Well, that's where I'm at now. I'll probably start on the Main mast sails tomorrow. I'm going to post a better photo of the top section of the two masts that I don't understand how or why they are rigged that way. If any of you skippers out there understand this set-up I would ask for your input. I would gladly change the rigging if it is incorrect. The photos I have of the Bluenose are all far enough away that it makes it difficult to see the upper rigging.


photos.app.goo.gl/rso69rre1YvDV8wr5



Thanks for any and all input or comments.

Stay safe.
Jim