Back in the Autumn while considering my next build I decided to attempt building a couple of half hull yachts. I sent for a reference book about half hull modelling but it covered basically the carving of half hulls from a large piece of timber, very nice but I wanted to persue my favourite which is plank on frame.
I had a 1/35 set of Amiti plans for a J class which is my favourite classic yacht but it seemed huge so I sent for the 1/80 plans which turned out to be just the ticket.
My intention was to build two one for each of my adult daughters as a Santa stocking filler.
The frames were cut from a leftover stock of 3mm ply and the planks were some stock 2mm again leftovers. The build progressed
The Amiti plans are good and with a little bit of thought can be easily adapted to a half hull configeration. Problem, the instructions are in Italian, minor problem if you speak Italian, I dont but I managed.
I adopted normal plank on frame method which is detailed in many publications and soon had a lovely shaped hull, also with it being small lots of my small clamps came into their own which required a minimum of pinning.
The next job was to make and fit the rudder, template shown on the plans and decide on how much or little rigging or deck furniture to make and fit. I decided on the minimum and decked the model with one piece of ply and no rig. Worked out well in the end as both models were wall mounted and the deck was not visible.
It was a real delight to sand and finish the hulls and achieve a beautiful hull design, and as mentioned by Nerys this was what you were presented with years ago when commissioning a boat build, with the boat builder probably asking "will this be alright for you boss".
The hulls were primed and made ready for a paint on Humbrol finish in the colours of Endeavour which was lovely to do and after a couple of coats and a glue on white line the pair were finished.
I made two lovely hardwood back boards for them and a nice man on Amazon made two beautiful small brass plaques showing the yachts name, and description.
The whole exercise was really enjoyable and it was good not to have to do a bath test for leaks 🤣
I have still to decide on my next main project as I am not sure that the 6m yacht that I have the frames for on the building board is right for me but meantime have started a half hull of another classic a Bluenose.
All the best for 2022 to all on MBW. Regards ChrisG