OcCre Polaris - WIP

Assembled the ribs onto the false keel. 

There was a fair amount of play in the pieces and I didn't pay attention to the ribs square across the top of the false keel. Also a slight bend in the false keel. 

Laying the deck planking with Titebound.  

Sealing them with wipe-on poly. 

Getting the deck on was a job. Didn't do it perfectly...  

Didn't pay attention to the transom being square! 

Started fairing the hull and noticed that I didn't center the bow tip correctly. I think with creative sanding I can correct this. 

Wrapped sandpaper around a dowel in order to fair the stern section. 

Worked out well. 

Next was bending the bulwarks... 

And gluing them on... 

Starting on first planking... 

Pre-loading the brads... 

Kitty break... 

Kinda like a message in a bottle?  

Removing the nails 

Initial sanding done 

Filling in some gaps 

Dry fitting the stem. 

Sanding the edges of the second planking strips 

Applying contact cement... 

Laying down the second planking... 

18 gaps to fill in.... 

Done! 

Messed up on the contact cement. Put too much down and now the top of the bow planks are pulling away. 

I was able to use toothpicks and x-acto knife to get wood glue in there and shore it up. Worked out well. 

Prestaining and sanding all the pieces that require staining.  

Had a go at wire bending the stern area decorations. Not too bad. 

Got the keel and rub rail attached 

Also the freeing ports. 

Put in the hole for the rudder.... 

Applied wipe-on-poly all around.  

Painted the inside bulwark white using Vallejo White and a touch of Buff. 

Got the baseboards (?) installed... 

Added the bulwark "stays" 

Sanded them down... 

Added the rail cap 

And the stern trim 

Assembled the rudder, ready for installing 

Prepped metal pieces for painting 

Used the drill press as a lathe for the masts and boons 

Worked out well 

Made and installed the chainplates 

Got all the deck items installed 

Messy workspace. Need to do better 

Bowsprit and anchors completed 

Ready to start on the rigging but first need to add the metal work to the bowsprit. 

And she's done!