Feeling really, really screwed right now ...

make some water to mount it on and the build up a crest of the wave a bit in the sides
it May hide it

Rather than a flat wooden base you could make a stand and "sit" the Victory in that. The only problem is that this will inevitably hide some of your hard work. If you still are keen on a solid base I would drill some holes in both the base and hull to accept some piano wire pegs and use these to both aid alignment and strengthen the joint. If the deck is detachable (unlikely I guess at this stage) then you could mount captive nuts in the model and bolt the model to the base from underneath (the bolts passing all the way through the base and into the retained nuts i.e countersink the bolt holes on the bottom of the base so that the base still lies flat). It in part depends upon the weight of the model which method is suitable but I do think that relying on a couple of dollops of epoxy was asking for trouble in the long run. Maybe this setback is a blessing in disguise and you did say you didn't want this build to finish right?

I forgot to mention, it's a waterline kit. Sorry about that.

Since this is my first attempt, I don't feel confident enough to try modeling water, especially at this late stage.

I had the same issue with a waterline model that I mounted on a piece of actual decking. Putting a "water" scene around it was out of the question per the owner. I did a method like the one above in that I mounted the ship with self tapping sheet metal screws. I still had a gap. but the ship was now secure. I then filled the gap with acrylic gel, so no sanding needed to be done, and touched it up to match the boot stripe.


Scott

You can do water...it's easy, really...

Here...read this:

http://www.steelnavy.com/water.htm

It's not as bad as you think. It requires a bottle of inexpensive craft paint in a sea blue/green color, and a tube of acrylic gel medium. Some washes and simple drybrushing when it's dry and you're good to go.

Jeff

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess the larger question is, Do I feel lucky?

QUOTE: Originally posted by mfsob Thanks for the suggestions! I guess the larger question is, Do I feel lucky?

you should feel lucky you have a dad that is still around

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff Herne You can do water...it's easy, really... Here...read this: http://www.steelnavy.com/water.htm It's not as bad as you think. It requires a bottle of inexpensive craft paint in a sea blue/green color, and a tube of acrylic gel medium. Some washes and simple drybrushing when it's dry and you're good to go. Jeff

Easy????

I think, factoring everything in, and seeing Mr. Murphy grinning insanely in the corner, just begging me to do one more thing to this model, I am going to level it up as best I can with the epoxy and leave it at that, secure in the knowledge that my Dad's eyesight is not all that great and he won't notice.

But NEXT time ... yeah, everything is going to get checked before construction starts!

Imperator Rex,

Yes, it's easy...you paint the base dark blue, then you squeeze out the gel medium like toothpaste, spread it around until you're happy with the way it looks, then you plop the model down in the middle and let it dry for 24 hours. Then you come back and dry-brush some whitecaps and a wake, then brush-paint it with Future if you want it shiny.

Doesn't get much easier my friend!

Jeff

I'm no expert, but I think I'd leave the model alone and fool around with gouging out the base until it sits still and without a gap. Buying or making a new base if you ruin it won't be as bad as screwing up the ship. When are we going to see this vessel?

Mmmmm... looks easy and simple on paper, but doing it right is something else, especially if you have absolutely no experience on this matter like me! The paintings would probably be the greatest difficulty, I guess. But heck, one has to try new techniques! I'll give it a chance once I'm done with my next waterline kit (most likely the Hawaiian Pilot). Thx for the link & the encouragement Jeff

Modelling sea is great fun and is easier than lots of modelling tasks. Give it a go you won't be disappointed!