Joshua Slocum's Spray

This is a video of the assembly of the model boat, “SPRAY”, purchased from BlueJacket Ship Crafters. Joshua Slocum wrote a book title “Sailing Alone Around the World”. It is one of the greatest adventure stories of all times. Sailing for 3 years in his rebuilt 100 year old oyster smack, Capt. Slocum’s trip is regarded, even today, as being one of the most outstanding voyages in history. He set out in 1895. There was no automatic sailing gear, no synthetic materials, no GPS or weather reports, just poor Maps, and no refrigeration.
Along with this video I created a Build Log on the Model Ship World forum:
modelshipworld.com/topic/2630...
Or you can Search modelshipworld.com for
1) “Spray” searching in Topics (and titles only), or
2) search for me: Ken_2

[@Davidcallard]

I have always loved to watch craftsmen at work practising their art and I watched your whole video from beginning to end. Bravo sir and Bravo again! A fine effort .

[@marshallbueckert2098]

Don’t try to keep them short. I’ve learned so much from all the little details you discuss.

[@ken_boats]

Amazing. I am glad for your response, since I've been at a loss as how to shorten them. I have been considering making a brief 10 minute video, and using the build log on Model Ship World as the detailed record. Thanks Ken

[@juriaan13]

Honestly sir,I don't mind the long videos,they are a joy to watch.

[@ken_boats]

Amazing. I am glad for your response, since I've been at a loss as how to shorten them. I have been considering making a brief 10 minute video, and using the build log on Model Ship World as the detailed record. Thanks Ken

[@RenegadeADV]

Ken, cool project. When you are painting stuff like this starting with fine line tape will make it so much easier. When I paint the water line on my 42' sailboat I start with fine line, then butt the 2" masking to that with a tiny overlap to seal it. Way easier doing it that way.

[@ken_boats]

Yes, am now using "Masking tape for curves" on the hull (which I think is a fine line tape). And will start using this kind of tape (typically Tamyia tape) for barrels and other small stuff with multiple colors. Some of my previous builds included small parts, like barrels, which were brown and had black lines for the straps. these were hand painted and looked poor. Ken

[@kslinternationalarchery7357]

Hi Jim, Thank you so much for your detailed video on how you built the Spray. And it is definitely not too long. Thank you so much for sharing your time and expertise. I have read Joshua's book many times through the years and enjoyed it very much each time. I even have a photo of him and the Spray when he visited Sydney Harbour, Australia, in 1896. Again many thanks for your video as it has inspired me at 81 years of age to purchase a kit and give it a go.

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for your response. I am glad you enjoyed the video. I enjoy building boats, and making videos, and your complement encourages me to continue - thanks. 81 huh. I'm not far behind (74), but I would encourage you to try model boat building. For me, it has been challenging for my mind and patience, but very rewarding. I started with a simple boat (which was not so simple) and I am working my way towards more complex builds, such as this one. We were in Sydney Harbour a few years ago and enjoyed our visit very much. A very nice place. Ken

[@alancunningham4274]

pleased to watch you again,looking forward to the next one,full of good tips

[@ken_boats]

You are very kind. Thanks I enjoy making videos, and building boats. I keep trying to make shorter videos, but I fail each time (ie 50 minutes is the longest I have made!) I have been making one boat a year. Hopefully I will start another one this winter.

[@atomisum6445]

Awesome build and Awesome book. Thanks for sharing

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for watching!

[@charlesgreco6964]

I respect your craftmanship and amazed at your patience. Great video. Thank you sir.

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for your encouragement. I enjoy building. It has taught me Patience! I am glad you liked it - Ken

[@chancevonfreund1156]

Great build! Enjoyed watching. You have inspired me to try. Thank you⛵

[@ken_boats]

Thanks. Building boats has been very fun for me, especially when I am finish (haha)! I am glad you liked it. And when you have some time - I recommend you try it - A Dorry would be a good starter. - Ken

[@glengrieve544]

Great content and beautifully presented thank you ❤

[@ken_boats]

I am glad you enjoyed it! I am trying to get better at boat building and making videos. Your comments are encouraging. Ken

[@jodsinclair1538]

Excellent job on the model and the video was a joy to watch. Like Slocum, your humility and candor make your videos a pleasure. Thank you.

[@ken_boats]

Thank you. You are too kind. I am glad when others can share the fun. - Ken

[@mandolinut]

Ken, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this build. I am currently building Spray and am ready to begin the planking so found your approach very helpful. You did a terrific job all of the way through. I will also go to Model Ship World and look for your blog, Happy Holidays.

[@ken_boats]

Thats very cool that you are building the Spray. There are several build logs of the same boat. And when you are finished, you will be proud to have this boat on the shelf - Ken

[@chrisemsley7840]

Great vids and a big help to us beginners! keep up the good work Ken. Chris from NZ

[@ken_boats]

Thanks. You are very kind. I enjoy making the boats and making the videos. And I appreciate the feedback that these videos are helpful. That was nice. Ken

[@ez-sp7se]

Looks great! Just finished the book and came looking for some models of the Spray, so thank you!

[@ken_boats]

That was a great book, and it was the cause of me building this boat. It was a fun build for me too. Ken

[@wesfletcher5465]

Great job Inspiring

[@ken_boats]

Thank you! I enjoy building model boats and photography. I am glad you like it. Ken

[@williamwurthmann1573]

I have had an dream for the SPRAY for my 70+ years now.

[@Davidcallard]

Me also, and I'm 74yo!

[@williamwurthmann1573]

@@Davidcallard 73 FOR ME...

[@carltonbirds]

Very lovely.

[@ken_boats]

The kit does produce a lovely boat. I enjoyed building it, and I am glad you did too. Thanks for the nice comment - Ken

[@enriquenaranjomarquez2745]

Es impresionante lo que hizo Sir Joshua con este barco!

[@ken_boats]

Yes - he was amazing! - Ken

[@GamerSkuy_TV]

From Indonesian 🇮🇩🇮🇩 nicee

[@ken_boats]

Thanks you. This is my 4th build, and I get better with each boat I build. I think this model is the best I have done so far. But I still consider myself a beginner. :-)

[@Frageye]

again great video, a little short, but still good. I wouldnt mind longier videos ;) greetings from germany :)

[@ken_boats]

Thanks. I've been at a loss as how to shorten them. I have been considering making a brief 10 minute video, and using the build log on Model Ship World as the detailed record. Thanks Ken

[@chrisandrew852]

Great video and I really enjoyed it.. thank you.

[@ken_boats]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was fun building as well. Ken

[@jojstv_lloydmolinos1205]

wow great work sir

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for the encouragement. And I am glad you liked it - Ken

[@raduandrei5867]

Good book!

[@ken_boats]

Yes it was! And a fun build.

[@raduandrei5867]

@@ken_boats Nice boat!

[@OneLovePsych]

I understand the 1 boat per year rule, but maybe add a smaller model in somehere that doesn't take nearly as much time so we can get at least 2 videos a year from you! Just think about it, we would LOVE more model YT content from you!

[@ken_boats]

I kind of agree with you. But watching our 3 grandkids full time has taken a lot of my free time. However, ... I just published a smaller kit, and I am thinking of starting a 2nd boat this year. You may be right.

[@sharonshaddix3287]

Great job

[@ken_boats]

Thank you

[@johnbrock1602]

I have ordered the same model from Blue Jacket waiting for it to come.

[@ken_boats]

You will enjoy the kit and I the build. Very fun. Be sure to checkout the build logs of the Spray on ModelShipWorld.com. These examples made it so much easier and fun.

[@gregjackson8006]

Captain Joshua Slocum's journey is truly inspiring! I just finished his book, what an adventure. I have been shopping for a finished Spray model, but unable to find one, as many of them are kits. Are you able to make a Slocum Spray boat model for me? I would be happy to place an order. Great work!

[@ken_boats]

No, I am strictly a hobbyist. But I have seen these boats for sail. one example is where I bought this kit. BlueJacket Ship Crafters. Look at their website.

[@jonnygranville281]

Beautiful. I want a full size version.😀👍

[@ken_boats]

You and me both! Real boats are more work and more expensive. But they are more fun!

[@borisfennema2396]

Thanks Ken, nice work. Wonder what boat you will pick next!

[@ken_boats]

Thanks. I'm not sure yet, I'll pick sometime in September.

[@akinejat]

Good work. I guess in order to build this model, one should read the book first. Unfortunately, the book does not sound like a circumnavigation story but the boat is really attractive. Having no engine adds more to its performance. In one of the pictures I have seen two long oars at the stern of the boat, Joshua manouvering Spray in a tight spot in a harbor. Keep up the good work.

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for the encouragement. The book did have a lot of sailing details about the harbors around the world (in the day), life on a boat for a single hander, some heavy weather events, broken sailing gear, etc. It is an adventure book, which is the kind I like. He himself was a true sailing captain before this adventure.

[@georgemanuel4506]

Ken, the SPRAY turned out really well. I like your term of posing the vessel on a broad reach. In addition, also try posing close hauled or beam reach on a 15 to 25 deg heel. They really look awesome posed that way. Try it!! George M.

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for the kind comments. I learn so much from building, watching others, and especially from comments. Thanks for the tip.

[@Steve-wz5pz]

Basswood. As in "I brought you a delicious bass".

[@ken_boats]

I've been told this before, but I keep forgetting if its base wood or bass wood. I like your mnemonic of a delicious bass fish. I think I will never get the pronunciation wrong again! Many thanks - Ken

[@tomblack6972]

Ken, how do you get the jib to stay out to starboard?

[@ken_boats]

I forget where I found the trick. but there is a stiff black wire on the backside attached to the cradle pushing the sail outboard. If you look closely, you can see it. :-) Ken

[@woltervoorwaarts2]

Did you read the book from Donald Crowhurst?

[@ken_boats]

No. I found a synopsis and it sounds like an adventure, ending poorly. I put it in my "cart" and will consider reading it later. Thanks - Ken

[@JeffreyDRein]

1898

[@wisenber]

Goodness. That looks more tedious than building a full scale boat.

[@ken_boats]

Ha Ha! It sure seems tedious at times. But model boat building has taught me about glues, airbrushing, other experts in boat building, and all kinds of weird stuff. And next for me is to build a paint spray booth from scratch for future boat work. Its all fun. Ken

[@ForOdinAndAsgard]

Gaff and boom are wrongly tapered. 2/3 -1/3 taper for the boom with the thickest part the furthest away from the mast and no taper on the end of the gaff for 2/3 where the closest part to the mast is the thickest because of the claw. The gaff needs to be as light as possible because you need to pull it up against gravity but it also needs to remain it strength in the end furthest away from the mast. I know this is but a model but on a real life sailing vessel they will break when using them like you tapered them. This is because the greatest force in the gaff is at the claw and the greatest force in the boom is at the sheet. The gaff is restricted by the form of the sail the boom is restricted by the sheet. This is why you can have a curved gaff but not a curved boom. Greetings from the Master of a tallship.

[@ken_boats]

Interesting. I was just following the kit instructions, but upon closer inspection of J. Slocum's drawings, I think you are right! Thanks Ken

[@ForOdinAndAsgard]

@@ken_boats These models on average are terrible in comparison if it comes to the proposed rig outlay and what is possible in reality. My goal is to make people aware so their models are more realistic. Understanding this all will also make it easier for you to design realistic yourself.