Progress steady but coming on. I decided to braise a brass tube onto the prop shaft tube for greasing the prop shaft which is difficult to access and the shaft is pretty much horizontal, hoping this will allow me to eliminate water leaks.
I have fixed the card deck in place on the hull to enable the measurement of the various fittings i.e. masts, through hull fittings etc. and to allow the trial placing of deck structures in build. And most important to determine the size of through deck access to below deck.
The masts regardless of the appearance of the rest of the superstructure will mirror the Inga positioning as I have no intention of altering the balance of what appears to work very well.
I have built the forward crew access hatch, the helmsman's seat at the rear and two skylights waiting finishing. The main cabin structure still in construction the two sides and the rear can be seen in the photo.
My dilemma is that I am unsure until these are all in position on the deck with masts and large deck winches (which these yachts always had) how well proportioned the whole shooting match is. As some of these parts take me days to build it would be a real

pain

to have to scrap them and start all over again. It is possibly worth mentioning the deck fittings are made of mahogany and there are no plans for any of them just downloaded photos.
Idiot that I am I just pressed the wrong button and produced this blog in two parts, sorry.
I have asked the site moderator if the title of this build blog can be changed as it is so far from INGA1V.
Regards to all ChrisG

Hello to colleagues on this wonderful website, I notice I hav`nt posted for 2 months and have not been able to go near my build since 1st March.
I have been hit by the dreaded "lurgy" and in addition to loosing my mobility I have been hospitalised. I think and hope I am getting better so here goes.
I will attach a few photos of the build as it is now and update as and when further bits get finished. Most of the building is nearly complete just assembly, decking and of course the rig and sails.
I am very happy to be amongst it again although I will have to be patient with slow progress. I will also be happy to hear from friends again.
I wish you all good health and happy building ChrisG

My doesn`t the time fly, with my rapid rate of progress I have managed to deck my model in just short of a month sanding and finishing yet to complete.
The decking followed the normal method, I chose a pattern so that the finished deck would have some highlights, these I picked out in mahogany and then simply followed the pattern using some 18inch lengths of 1mm x 5mm light Sitka.
I used my usual Evo Stik external to glue it all and had to protect the soft wood when holding it in place as the pins left indentations otherwise. I found a school eraser cut into slices ideal for this task.
U.K. based modellers, Tesco stationery dept. have some fabulous erasers for pennies some really large whacky ones that I have found uses for on my models especially
below decks wedging things in.
Next stage is the sanding and finishing, this is difficult as in my present condition I am only just capable of using the stairs in my house and as the model is large and heavy I have to rely on a neighbour to move it to the garage for me to sand it. Oh well.
Wishing you all good health till next time ChrisG

The wooden element of the deck has been finished, sanded and has the 12 eyebolts fitted for the mast supports.
I have also fitted the three control lines through the deck in position for Mizzen, Main and Jib controls all moused through.
That was the good news, the other side of the coin shows what was an immaculate painted hull marked and scratched and in need of a repaint. I do it every time when will I learn.
It is great seeing this project coming together after what seems a long time. I thank you all for your interest and comments regards ChrisG

Long delay in posts again, unavoidable due to another hospital spell, hope this is the last.
Before going in I managed to repair, rub down and repaint the hull, brush again and I was very pleased with the finish.
It is surprising how long it takes to work out where you left her and what was due to be the next job. I am going to leave the on deck fittings and bits to the last and concentrate on masts, rigging and sail controls probably the most mentally challenging of this build.
I have fitted the mizzen mast, always start with the easier one, and that seems to perform well.
As a bit of light relief I fitted the helmsman on his seat just behind his ships wheel on a binnacle, I hope he is happy sitting there for what might be a long time.😂😂
I have attached a photo, just a taster hope it is liked.
All the best ChrisG

Methinks a day to remember, many will remember it for being July the fourth 2024 British poling day, many for being, The American Independence Day and little old me for the completion of my most challenging modelling project.
I am surprised on looking back that it has only been 12 months but what a year it has been for me. And the transition in my head from renovating a Revel kit of the same name, if I could find one went quickly out of the window, too many of you beat me to it and in turn renovated and completed some superb sailing models easily found on this website. I took the decision to use the original INGA1V I had acquired to be the pattern for something original to me, for better or worst.
The project started with me drawing the contours of the hull with which to make formers for the plank on frame hull construction, these were fixed firmly and accurately to the base board and allowed me to start the build. Then the hull was completed rubbed down filled and again and again until a satisfactory finish for painting was achieved.
Before decking the craft I had to decide on style, size and position of all deck structures, much head scratching and research of some of the most beautiful yachts ever, I chose to make a modest copy of the topsides of an Alfred Mylne 105 ft Gaff Ketch built 1937. This entailed deciding on what to incorporate and which to ignore to not clutter to much and to attempt to have the build in proportion. This determined where the hull would have its access points.
The deck was covered in 3mm ply followed by 1mm planking of a simply but classical design.
I had decided to renovate the original rig on the basis that it was tried and tested and all I required was that the rig, boom height particularly allowed for the fitting of the superstructure.
With the superstructure modelling taking some months with cardboard cut outs to ensure headroom I was happy to go ahead and finish the building part and onto the time consuming fiddly bits.
There is nothing unconventional below decks the usual servos, r/c and, speed control and sheet control line (3). The next job was priming, painting, vanishing all of which we either love or hate, I quite enjoy it when I can use a reasonable sized paintbrush but find it a faff on a tiny model.
Nearly there, fitted the one hole stanchions which were favourite at the time and all the other pretty bits and pieces.
The rig is a compromise, as always with a model, but I do not like bowsies but to enable re rigging lakeside I have had to use methods I would prefer not to normally use.
As for the sails, newly made first attempt by my partner as yet untried and a replacement set already in build. I made a big mistake with the 6mm eyelets they should have been 4mm max.
Loose foot footing I like but will await first sail to make
further decisions on changes.
I conclude this summary of a 12 month build by thanking so many pals on this website for their help, experience, and encouragement given to me for doing something I love doing.
I hope in the near future to be able to post some shots of her on the water and I might find someone to produce a video.
All the very best to you all ChrisG

Hello Ross
Can a recommend a good quality punch and a large hammer, you need to achieve the hole first time and the sail material is too strong to be gentle, best of luck.
Regards ChrisG

She now carries her name AQUARIUS and is no longer INGA1V, if I can get her out of the workroom and down the stairs and the weather is good I am working towards her being on the water next weekend, wish me luck.
Regards ChrisG

Had a successful launch with heaps of help and very gratifying to see lots of hard work doing what it was designed to do.
Very little wind and sunshine what could have been better, I am a very happy bunny tonight.
Managed lots of photos with help and a couple of videos so please enjoy this post. Best Regards ChrisG