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Lobster Boat: Saving a family heirloom

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  • Member since
    March 2018
  • From: Chicago suburbs
Lobster Boat: Saving a family heirloom
Posted by Luvspinball on Sunday, February 23, 2020 9:25 PM

So a good friend of mine dropped the lobster boat that has been in his family for years.  Not wanting to just toss it, and knowing that I dabble in building ships, he asked me for help.  Not really knowing how bad it was, I told him I would take a look.  What I got was a box with a carved wooden hull, and lots of pieces.  LOTS of pieces.  The boat had obviously hit the floor right on the bow, as a large chunk was missing and there was no longer a discernable "point" to the bow.  The superstructure had exploded, and most of the glass for the windows had shattered.  The rudder and stern were also badly damaged, and the piece that held the propeller was missing.  Most of the other bits that make it a lobster boat survived, but were either the wrong scale, or not really useable.  Even the little lobster pot would not have held a lobster for long.  Here are a few pics to show my progress so far:

LB01

LB02

LB03

LB04

LB05

LB06

LB07

LB08

Most of the superstructure parts have been patched and primed.  Just setting the trim pieces so I can install the windows when the painting is completed.

Any and all tips and suggestions appreciated.  I don't want to drastically alter the basic structure of the boat (so it is close to the original heirloom), but I told him it would be a bit "updated" using period correct parts, which he did not mind.

Bob

 

Bob Frysztak

Luvspinball

Current builds:  Revell 1/96 USS Constitution with extensive scratch building

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Monday, February 24, 2020 10:41 AM

So?

     Is it Good? That is up to you and the client/friend. Now as to my opinion, What is wrong with this little vessel? Nothing that I can see. I would've used wood along the edge of the deck . Other than that what's your problem? You are doing a great job!

    The only thing I have a problem is this. You slipped into Tourist chotschke mode. Who needs a sea-going Pigeon anyway. ( That's what I call Sea-Gulls)

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • From: Chicago suburbs
Posted by Luvspinball on Monday, February 24, 2020 1:14 PM

He had a seagull on the original.  It was glued to the now demised lobster trap.  Broke his wing.  Thought I would replace what was there.

I agree with your assessment of the flying rodents of the sea.  All they do is poop on everything then steal your cheetos.  Horrible little creatures.

The reason I used the brass edging is that I had in in the shop, it was easier to bend, and helped hide a few extra dents.  Plus it gives a nice, clean edge. 

Bob

 

Bob Frysztak

Luvspinball

Current builds:  Revell 1/96 USS Constitution with extensive scratch building

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, March 1, 2020 11:32 AM

Aha!

     Thank you for your reply outlining your thoughts there. I forgot that sometimes strange things come with restorations . My last had two Mermaids and a Gremlin creature. Go figure!

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • From: Chicago suburbs
Posted by Luvspinball on Thursday, March 5, 2020 10:39 PM

Finally got all the pieces put back together.  Had to remake a few, as the roof was badly warped, and there was a piece missing (probably under his couch).  Sanded and primed, filled in a few blemishes, and primed again.  Taped in order to start the topcoat of paint.  Upper hull will be white, hence the white primer.

lb09

lb10

While waiting for the paint (again), I picked up a few little toy lobsters.  Naturally they were bright red, and not very realistic.  So I painted them dark brown, washed with a thinned down black to highlight the detail, then added a bit of light orange, washed again with a very thinned out brown, then clear coated.  Then I stuffed one in the other lobster trap which will hang from the winch on the starboard side of the boat.

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lb12

Finally, there has to be a place to hold the little nippers while heading back to port, so I looked at a dozen or so images of real lobster boats, and most had some sort of holding tank.  So I built one out of styrene stock.  Gave it a nice aluminum edge to dress it up.  Filled it part way with clear gorilla glue, dropped one of the lobsters in, and added a bit more clear GG.  May add another in there trying to crawl out.

lb13

Bob

 

Bob Frysztak

Luvspinball

Current builds:  Revell 1/96 USS Constitution with extensive scratch building

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • From: Chicago suburbs
Posted by Luvspinball on Monday, March 16, 2020 12:19 AM

Well, she is finally done.  Finished putting in the last windows and trims tonight.  Trimmed the windows with the same green as the upper hull to try and give it a little pop.  All deck and cabin furniture added.  Already heard back from the owner who is ecstatic to get her back and looking better than ever.  Enjoy.

LB14

LB15

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LB18

LB19

Bob Frysztak

Luvspinball

Current builds:  Revell 1/96 USS Constitution with extensive scratch building

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Monday, March 16, 2020 8:23 AM

Beautiful reconstruction, Bob!  Hope your client is pleased.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Atlanta Metro, Georgia
Posted by fright on Monday, March 16, 2020 9:30 AM

Much like your work on the Constitution, you brought to life another marvelous creation! Thank you sharing your work.

Robert O

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Monday, March 16, 2020 1:25 PM

Well,Well;

     You definitely took this one from a Sow's Ear to a Silk Purse! Even though the cabin area says " Home Decorative Item" rather than scale model, You did her proud! I especially like your effort to give her that "Mood". I can smell Fishes and Salt Water ! ! 

  • Member since
    December 2018
Posted by Ted4321 on Monday, March 16, 2020 1:38 PM

This is cool. Nice work! 

Yes

T e d

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: Cape Cod, Mass
Posted by Rick Sr on Saturday, April 4, 2020 9:21 AM

That's some awesome work! I have an old 2006 Colorado with 87,000 miles on it. Do you think you could perform the same miracles on it as you have done with the Constitution and lobster boat??? Confused

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