Mantua Bruma - with possible conversion to sail

By DuncanP 24 entries 27 Jun 2023 — 30 Jul 2025
198Likes
59Comments
Chapter 11 / 24

24 chapters · Page 2 of 3

Available Sail winch

Hi Alessandro,
The Component Shop based in the Wales UK has a number of similar sail winches in stock. The one similar to mine with 4 turns - but has metal gears is only £14.99. They have others available with 1.5 to 6 turns on the drum.
Here is the link and when I just looked they are in stock! It is a very good shop for anything to do with models especially electrical items.
Let us know how you get on. Cheers Duncan.😊
Liked by Colin H and Len1 and

Planking started

First few planks attached. Gosh a lot to go and then when finished start again with the second layer! Using Amati planking clamps and also Micromart screw clamps. The latter are expensive to buy in the UK but make the job easier. I'm steeping the planks in boiling water and then using my electric plank bender to form the shape. The Amati planking clamps take a bit of time to assemble so be aware if you are going to buy some! The spring clips help to keep the edges of planks together. I'm coating the inside of the planks completely with Aliphatic glue to waterproof them. Some internal parts of the planks will be impossible to get to later.😊
Liked by Peejay and Wolle and

Planking

Hi Doug. No the planking will be in the same lateral plane. I will arrange to have an overlap on the joints on the first layer of planking. When I built the Amati Italian Roundabout (Riva Aquarama) the limewood planks for the first layer were 7 mm wide but the mahogany planks for the second layer were 8mm so you automatically got an overlap! Great idea!
Liked by Razor1955 and Peejay and

Pond Noodle buoyancy

Planking slowly coming along. Attaching each 7mm strip of limewood with Aliphatic glue. Before fitting I'm spreading the glue the entire length of the strip to waterproof it. I've decided to put strips of Pond Noodle under the flooring to stop any build up of water and also to provide buoyancy if required - hopefully not!! It also provides a suitable scratch free support for the hull when turned upside down as the deck is already complete. It is getting more tricky as I'm now encountering curves in two directions. I'm using a Model craft electric plank bending tool which certainly helps. Unfortunately it is rather time consuming and then I keep having recurring thoughts that I need to do it all again for the second layer! Hopefully with a flat surface to glue to it will be easier - wishful thinking! 😊 Happy Easter to everyone. Cheers D
Liked by Peejay and Wolle and

1st layer nearing completion

Nearly there with the 1st layer of planking. Been a bit of a challenge especially around the stern. Once the remaining planks have been added I will shape bow and stern, fill between planks and then sand back before starting the second layer. Having planked from the deck towards the waterline I decided to because of the hull curvature the best way to complete the the planking was to then start from the keel and work towards the completed side planking. It seems to have worked out as a good method. Hope this might help future builders of this model. 😊
Liked by Peejay and ChrisG and

1st layer completed at last

Finally got some time to work on my model after working on other jobs that needed doing around the home and also a holiday down the Rhine river on a cruise. Weather was good today which enabled me to do the sanding outside and save the mess of dust everywhere in doors! Hopefully the hull is now smooth enough for the second layer of planking. Fingers crossed not too many more interruptions to the build program ! I used for the first time sanding sponges which seemed to work very well. I also did the sanding in a large box lid which kept most of the sanding residue in one place. Unfortunately when I first started sanding I forgot to put the yellow foam supports under the hull and as a consequence it has snapped the plastic tube which will carry the mainsheet off at deck level. It was originally designed to go through the cabin deck which also had the secondary purpose of holding the removable cabin in place. Hey Ho - one step forward and two back!!😐
Liked by Peejay and SimpleSailor and

1st coat of primer applied

Finally managed to complete the double layer of planking in limewood on the Mantua Bruma which is a plank on frame hull. I then did some filling and sanding before applying two coats of sanding sealer. Having 'chewed over' all of discussions about fibre glassing the hull I 'chickened out' and instead just applied a coat of Z-epoxy 2 part finishing resin. Another sand down with 120 grade paper (as advised on the bottles) before applying a Rustins primer & undercoat. This has now shown up some imperfections so I plan to remove these with Holts Knifing putty which is designed to fill small scratches and paint chips. I need to fit the bulwarks but I'm not sure about how to cut a 2mm 'slot' along the limewood planks. The slot is from around 6" from the bow to about 6" from the stern. I've tried a steal ruler and modelling knife but it still seems to follow along the grain of the wood on these 6mm wide limewood strips. Any suggestions gratefully received.
Liked by Mike Stoney and GARTH and

Painting the hull and advise on NOT following the instructions!

Finally we had some warmer weather today so hopefully it didn't cost too much to heat up the back of the garage! I've painted the hull with epoxy resin, then applied an under coat and several coats of paint. I found that the matt paint showed up some blemishes so I have filled them again. Unfortunately the colour of the filler is showing through very slightly, so I will have to apply yet another coat of Humbrol Matt white!

I followed the build instructions to the letter but I personally don't think it is a good idea to plank the deck at such an early stage. This is because of the difficulty in applying the masking tape on the planked deck especially through the 2mm slots at the top of the hull planking (gunnel). Given my time again, I would leave the deck planking until after the hull has been painted. My only thought is the sheet of decking is very thin and whether the kit creators thought that the planking was required at the beginning of the build to give the structure more rigidity - who knows!
Hopefully we will get another mild day so that I can apply another coat of matt white.
Liked by hermank and Colin H and

Reply to Roy

Hi Roy, You actually sent me a link to the detailed instructions and yes it says do the deck planking at this early stage. I've given the inside of the hull a coat of epoxy resin and where the planks would not be assessible I coated them with waterproof glue (Aliphatic) before attaching them to the hull. So hopefully it will be Ok!
I'm also waiting for a cataract operation but it is more complicated because I had a corneal graft when I was about 40. It now has no cells remaining so I will have to have another corneal graft and cataract operation at the same time. Ugh!
Enjoy the rest of your holiday in Australia and have a good trip back. I hope you decide to start the Bruma soon ! 😊Cheers
Liked by hermank and AlessandroSPQR

Delete this post?

It will be removed from the site.

Discard this draft?

Your draft will be deleted and cannot be recovered.

You have an unfinished draft

What would you like to do with it?