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[lotty]

Hi all

I am new to the site. I am planning a new Long Term project and would really like to hear your views and advice. I am planning to scratch build a modern merchant ship. (probably OPDR CADIZ or similar). This will be a really big and difficult project for me as I have never scratch built before and I am looking  at it taking a few years. As there are no plans available (that I know of) I will need to produce a plan for myself from pictures etc. which I also have never done before.

The reason for starting this project is to see if I can actually do it and to test myself with something difficult.

I would really appreciate any advice as to where and how to start this (plans etc) what would be a good scale and what the best materials would be. Ply / balsa?

i am sure some will say DONT DO IT!!!!! but i am looking forward to the challenge

Regards

Lotty

[Plastic - RIP]

There's ship plans for Cadiz at http://www.shipdesign.de/html/index.php?navi=3&navi2=7&navi3=37

Is this what you're looking for?

[Klunk]

try contacting the operator of the ship, sometimes they will help with drawings pictures etc
failing that she looks remarkably like the graupner Sydney Star if you can get one.
or browse through this site, might be a hull you could convert
http://www.deansmarine.co.uk/mpage/

[lotty]

great start already thanks for the replies, what materials would you recommend, I have never made a bulbous bow what would the technique be for that

[Colin Bishop]

If you haven't already done so then you would be well advised to invest in a couple of books on scale model boatbuilding. This will give you a good feel for the various skills and techniques required and enable you to seek specific advice from Forum members. I wouldn't worry about the bulbous bow just yet.

Colin

[Leaky Bottom]

I have never made a bulbous bow what would the technique be for that

A block of blue foam sanded to shape then sheathed in  epoxy resin and light weight glass cloth, then any imperfections can be filled with P38 car body filler, dont put P38 straight onto blue foam, it melts it, don't ask me how I know!!

[cos918]

Hi lotty
as for Scale depends on what room you have to build her plus move her etc. she is 128m long . At 1:100 that works out at 1.28m long . Benefits of this scale is 1. very easy to convert , 2. fittings are available as several manufacturers use this scale ,deans marine etc,3. It is a good comprises as a smaller scale  you can get stability issues bigger scale transport issues


john

[cos918]

Have a look at these websites . They do hulls very similar to what you are looking to build


john
http://www.g-schmidt.com/schiffsmodellrumpfe/schiffsmodellbau-containerschiffe.html
http://www.steinhagen-modelltechnik.de/

[Seaspray]

cos918

Cheers for putting up the links. The second one is good as it has the Polarstern @ 1:100, grp hull,  6 sheets of drawings and 52 photos available on that page 

[Unsinkable 2]

Hi Lotty, I am also new to boat building and just started a scratch build myself. I checked out this site and came across the Seabex one scratch build, lots of info there. I also checked out youtube build posts and learned how to plank a hull and deck etc. Good luck with your build. U2