Billing Boats Mercantic

Started by T33CNO

47 updates 163 likes 99 comments
T33CNO #41 of 48

Hull sanding and sealing

Finally the rain stopped and a couple of hours with 120 grit sorted out the planking. A lead pencil is used to indicated the highs and lows as sanding progressed.
Sealed the wood with a coat of resin before another sanding and minor filling.
Then a glass coat will be added another day.
Liked by Rookysailor and mturpin013 and
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T33CNO #42 of 48

Change of tack

Last night I started on the hatches and it was going so well today that I’ve delayed sanding whilst good headway is being made.
I made and fitted the coamings trial fitted the rudder and made an oversize bow gunwale to trim later.
Continuing on with the hatches
Liked by Newby7 and MouldBuilder and
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T33CNO #43 of 48

Full steam ahead

Bow ribs and gunwale now complete and other bits.
Hull sanded ready for glass coat, no significant defects that won’t be filled with next coat of resin.
Liked by mturpin013 and Colin H and
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T33CNO #44 of 48

The days not over

Continued
Faced with a choice of breaking out every frame rib to replace them all or shaping them and accepting their thickness, I decided on the latter.
Just three more to do at the stern where I’m also in the process of making the gunwale.
Intermediate bulwark ribs will now be fitted.
Liked by mturpin013 and Martin555 and
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T33CNO #45 of 48

Woven glass cloth

Last night I glass coated the port half of the hull. This morning I’ve sanded it to satisfaction with no visible blemishes needing filler.
Next the Starboard.
Picture one is the start of sanding again with 120 grit
Liked by Seaspray and Rookysailor and
4 comments
  1. Colin HSilver
    Fleet Admiral
    Good evening Andy, I like the way you are bringing her to life with each new post.
    Query, what grade of glass cloth are you using.
    Cheers Colin.
    Liked by Martin555 and T33CNO

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T33CNO #46 of 48

Update

Struggling for time but I’ve fitted the bilge keels
Marked the waterline
Engaged now in cutting the washports.
I’d like to get the anti foul coat on this weekend.
Stern gunwale glued on just now, final sanding to shape when the glue sets
Liked by Martin555 and Colin H
4 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Love the flare on her bow. In fact she's a nice shape all round, wouldn't at all mind going to sea in her full size version.

    Nerys
    Liked by Martin555 and T33CNO

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T33CNO #47 of 48

Saturday

Today I’ve cut out for the bow fairleads.
I’ve removed the centre frame ribs in the well deck and replaced with 5 ribs per side.
I’ve just fitted the port side rubbbng strakes.
Fitted an upstanding around the aft access hole.
The day is young but time for dinner 🍽
Liked by Skydive130 and Colin H and
4 comments
  1. mturpin013Bronze
    Admiral
    Busy busy busy, you must win the fastest builder award
    whilst maintaining quality workmanship, great job
    PS and pictures don't lie I've seen it for real.
    Liked by Martin555 and T33CNO
  2. T33CNO
    Sub-Lieutenant
    Thank you Michael
    As I said of yours the real models look better than the pictures can show.
    Even then it’s hard to take in your level of detail as the longer you look the more you see
    I’m slowly returning to a normal colour having gone green with envy 🏆
    Liked by Martin555

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T33CNO #48 of 48

Not what I’d planned for today

But things just go off in any direction.
Mercantic hatches
I’ve made them in separate parts to aid painting
First left over planking used for the coverings glued to 1.5mm ply.
Then treated with osmo oil stains for a weathered timber look.
Later to be covered in osmo Matt oil
Liked by sirscapa and Sinc5508 and
5 comments
  1. Nerys
    Fleet Admiral
    Please do not think that I am criticising a superb build in any way, but do the instructions for the build tell you to plank the hatches? A ship of this size would normally have steel hatches, but if she did have wooden, as many smaller vessels, they would be covered with all over tarpaulins battened down and held with wedges.

    Cheers, Nerys
    Liked by Colin H and T33CNO
  2. T33CNO
    Sub-Lieutenant
    She’s preparing to beach for the next low tide to make a delivery 😜

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