Just a short story why I decided to try and construct a model from scratch.
I was asked to crew "Elly Gray" from Portsmouth to Portugal and then on to the Greek islands. You dont say no to an offer like that.
She is 19mtr. in length and goes 64 Ton. A one off pilot cutter and is now about 8 years old. A difference with the normal sail rig with the boat she also has a square rig sail.
I had photos and a small line drawing of her hull to go by and the wonderful memory of the time sailing her.
So on with the build !!!!!!!!

As this was the first time I had constructed from scratch was not sure. Thought just sort of copy the construction of how the kit models were done. I made up loads of paper templates of the ribs until I got it correct I think. Then marked out and cut from 6mm ply an stuck it as you do. Was going to do plank on plank with 5 x 2mm Lime wood. Think I made it real hard for myself bending the planks to make the stern due to the shape.
Also the location of the prop within the hull. Getting the alignment for the prop shaft proved to be a real problem as it seemed I needed a 8mm drill 12" long. The estimated length of the hull was to be 950mm. All the calculations was taken from the photos of know dimensions and then scaling.😴

Just to show the Pic's of what I was trying to replicate on my model. The 5th Pic shows a jacuzzi in the stern. I could not replicate that as the steering gear took up this space. There has to be some poetic license on making a model.
Up until now I had only built kit's so all the bits you needed came with it.
So now came the hunt for stuff. Went to my almost local hobby shop. Got loads of info but they were more into motor cars an plane models. Got the motor and controller and that as they suggested other stuff they were going to order in for me. Well!!!
Its not my thing surfing. Its amazing the sites you are directed to when you type in nautical parts. Really did not know that porn site's used that sort of equipment ?????
Found a Company ( not sure you can advertise the name )
But they do make some wonderful pasty in that part of the world.
Big eye opener to the world of model making.
So more confidence now to get on with it.

So now the main planking to the hull is now complete. The keel is from two 6mm ply glued together and the ribs are 6mm ply. The planking I used was 6 x 2 lime wood two layers.
Trying to reproduce the deck layout true to the original and give me access was difficult. I decided to make a ply base to position the hatch openings and wheel house. As luck had it on the last kit build " ULISES" The wheel house was just the right size and shape so I could follow the plans from that to construct. The completed deck in pine wood 2x2 It was only a couple of days ago on this site that the use of black card could be used to represent caulking. See learning all the time.

Have now completed the deck. This from 2x2 pine. I f you look at the real boat I have tried to replicate hatch and cabin. Paint job on hull sort o done.
Have taken to my marina for testing the motor drive and check on the water line. Bad mistake.
Had only painted the hull with undercoat.
Seems that undercoat is not that water proof. Had quite a lot of plank swelling so now drying out before I paint proper. See Learning all the time. Even if its the hard way.
Motor drive went quite well and happy. Now can paint on and get the water line correct I hope.😊

Should have added to the last post. I fitted to the keel a lead ballast strip acquired from the roof repair that I had done from the off cuts. Not sure yet that I have added enough.

Building from scratch ain't easy. After drying out the hull testing the water line and realized the 6v lead acid battery was far to heavy and mounted to high in the hull. I swapped for a smaller battery mounted down in the bottom of the hull.
Back to the marina now with the mast and sails all fitted. It was lucky that there was nobody about because of the embarrassment I would of had when I placed in the water only to find that a 5 degree angle caused here to roll over. I did say that I was not sure how much lead was required on the keel. Yet again learning the hard way