The Model Boatyard - Mini Round-Stern Workboat

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March 5, 2019
A few days ago, I started a new project - a mini version of a round-stern workboat. It is based on the same plans I used for my large round-stern, but at a much smaller scale - 1:70. The model will be about 7-1/8" LOA. This is, of course, a vastly different scale from what I'm used to, so I know there will be many challenges, but I think it's going to be fun.

Keel	Stern
Build Board	Bottom Planking

March 8, 2019
Still plugging away. I was wrong about this being fun. I'm really not enjoying it at all. I just don't like working at this scale. The pieces are small and fragile. If you sand a bit too much, half the part disappears! I have realized in retrospect that I should have used a harder wood. Basswood is just too soft. But I'm not about to start over. I just hope I can force myself to finish the thing. As you can see in the pics below, I have the deck boards down and the washboards on.Just to give you an idea of sizes, those supports for the washboards are 1/16" square and about 3/16" long. Had to put them on with tweezers, My fingers are just too big.

Progress

March 9, 2019
Not a ton of progress today. I got the aft decking laid down and planked the small bulkhead back there. Then I painted the interior of the boat. I decided to use a couple blocks of wood for the cabin. I figured it would be a lot easier than trying to make the cabin from individual pieces of 1/32" basswood. I am overlaying the pine blocks with basswood however. I haven't done the upper section yet. It too will be built around a block and I'll simply put blackened windows in it. Given the scale, I think it will look OK.

Progress

March 12, 2019
Haven't had a lot of time to work on the boat lately but I'm still making progress. As you can see in the pics, the main construction work is done and the boat is painted. I started working on the engine cover but haven't finished it yet. Shouldn't take long. Then it's going to be adding details.They're going to be a pain at this scale!

Progress

March 14, 2019
Got the exhaust stack made yesterday and finished construction of the engine cover. This morning, I made the steering stick and throttle controls.I think I overdid it a bit on the rust on the exhaust. I'll have to lighten that up a bit I think. I am planning to weather the boat some so it won't all look pristine compared to the exhaust. It's beginning to feel a lot like spring now, so the yardwork is calling to me. Spent the afternoon working outside.That's going to be the pattern for a while now.

Progress

March 16, 2019
Put the name on the boat yesterday and made the mooring bitts as well. Today, I made the prop and rudder. I'm kind of appalled by how bad the boat looks close up, but from a normal viewing distance, it's not as obvious.I'll do some touch-up before I'm done. As you can see, that prop is quite small.

Progress

Prop & Rudder

March 17, 2019
This morning, I made a simple stand for the boat. After that, I made the running lights. This afternoon, I applied some ink wash and "dirt" wash to the boat. Next phase will be to start adding little details to the boat.

Progress

March 19, 2019
Spent much of yesterday and part of today making three baskets. That was all I could stand to make! I also made the life ring today.

Baskets

Life Ring

March 21, 2019
Well, I'm pretty much calling this one done. Or, let's say, I've done all I feel like doing to it. Can't say this was a fun project but at least I finished it. For my fat fingers, it's just too small a scale. My next model will be back at 1:16 scale - something I'm much more cocmfortable with.

Finished	Finished
Finished	Finished