The Scottish Motor Fishing Vessel - Fifie Part 1: Planking

[@bin_chicken80]

I need more clamps. That's an interesting setup to bend the wood on the small end. Thanks!

[@ken_boats]

You bet! There is so much information about building boats on the internet. Some I can use, some does not work for me. I found this technique to be useful in this case with long gentil curves. And yes, one cannot have too many clamps :-) Ken

[@bin_chicken80]

@@ken_boats Thanks Ken. What I found useful on filler planks is something I learnt when watching "big boat builders" I just cut wedges of wood and hammered them in to keep them in place until they set.

[@j.savary8440]

Instead of using all those clamps you can use pins with plastic heads that you press into your support board. The sides of the pins will press against the sides of the planks. I soak my planks in hot water before I use the iron. I like your videos they show how much thinking goes into each process.📌 Jacques from Montréal

[@ken_boats]

Thanks for the info! I tried these pins, but without much success and decided these do not work. But I will consider them again on future builds. Ken

[@ManuelGutierrez-bo1fb]

I built three Revell 1/96 ships: Cutty Sark, US Constitution and Thermopylae. All I gave away and did not last too long with their owners. I saw one at a trash can all broken up, rolled up into its own threads..( I assume the other two ran into the same luck..). I promised myself never to build another plastic ship ever!! But I would build one made out of wood.! I started a Mantua "Golden Star" and its been a real good experience! I enjoy your videos and I appreciate you for sharing them. Salud from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico...!

[@ken_boats]

Muchas gracias. Sorry about the fate of your plastic models. I often wonder what will happen to my boat collection! But I find the building process more fun than having the boat on the shelf. My boats will likely end in the trash some day after I am gone. And I am OK with that. I looked at the Mantua. Wow. That's a nice looking boat. I am working towards obtaining that kind of skill to build one. - Ken

[@Cumbria_Jeff]

Perfectvideo. I have just purchased this model and cannot believe my good furtune to find your tuition to give me a perfct reference. Thank you Ken

[@ken_boats]

Wow. I am glad to help. Let me know how your assembly is going. I found planking 200 or so planks to be very monotonous. Now I am on to the deck planking, which looks to be similar - lots of small custom fit planks! But it is this kind of repetitious work that will deliver skill. Good luck - Ken

[@bin_chicken80]

Thanks Ken. So many great tips in this video.

[@ken_boats]

Glad you enjoyed it! I get so many tips from other model boat builders, I am glad to share what works for me. Ken

[@jdwht2455]

Good video and tips. I'm in the process of doing the first planking layer and will be using some of your tips. While not being as fussy with this first layer will be for sure on the outer walnut planks and the rest of the model. I've made a few mods though as mine will be an RC (WET!) version and needs a bit of reinforcing and add ons in places and possibly some rigging omitted.

[@ken_boats]

I am glad it was helpful! Building the wet version sounds like you're going to have fun. very cool. Ken

[@davidstewart2884]

Hi. I live in Scotland and can’t find a kit manufacturer for a fifie motor fisher. Where did you get the kit from? Thanks David stewart Isle of Lewis Scotland

[@ken_boats]

Hi David: Just do a web search on "Scottish Fifie by Amati" and several distributors will appear. I bought my kit a year ago from AgesofSail. I just searched again and found they still sell it, as well as 3 other kit distributors (I am sure there are more distributors than these 4). Prices and shipping costs vary amongst them, so you can choose the one you like best. Ken

[@jdwht2455]

If you haven't purchased yet this will be closer and where I purchased mine. It was less money even with int'l shipping and no import duties then a US seller: Cornwall Model Boats Ltd Unit 3B, Highfield Rd Ind Est Camelford Cornwall PL32 9RA United Kingdom

[@donaldsmith1217]

Any updates

[@ken_boats]

Yes, I am slow :-) but I finally did publish the next video on preparing the hull and painting it. I am now working on the deck - which consists of many custom fitted planks. This video of the deck will take a few more months. I am getting faster at building boats as I learn the tricks, but my time to build boats is also shared with other activities, which slow my rate of publishing. I took the summer off to hike, sail, and work around the house, but now I am back at my typical pace. Ken