Through my years of modeling, seriously for about the last ten, I have admired seaside scenes where water meets rails but I felt I didn't have the skills required. After thinking about what I wanted my next diorama to be I thought I would do some research on the subject.
The first order of business was to figure out how to make a convincing looking boat hull or the idea would have to be scrapped. I started looking through some of Rob Goslin's threads, since he scratch builds great looking boats, to see the best way to go about the task. I also researched the internet for fishing boat dimensions; more like a lobster boat size.
Grabbing my drafting equipment from my High School/College days I set to work:
IMG_001.jpg
Lobster boats ranged from 22-40 ft in length; although some of the newer varieties are as long as 46 ft. At the widest part they ranged from 11-15 feet respectively. I also knew I wanted the aft of the boat to be at 8 ft.
Taking a sheet of 110# paper I made the point for the front of the boat. Then I made a rectangle being 22 ft long, 11 ft at the widest point, and 8 ft across the back. Taking my French curve I lined up all 3 points on each side before drawing the lines. When finished I used a sharp #11 blade with my curve and cut out the template. Next I tack glued the template to a scrap piece of 1/2 inch green foam. Using my curve and a sharp utility knife blade I proceeded to make my cuts. Sadly the first one looked horrible with the sides anything but smooth. Then I did the same process again using my razor saw this time. I ended up with 2 usable hull sections I glued together to get scale 4 ft high sides. Once dried I wrapped the hull with 110# paper strips for a smooth surface to glue the wood to.
Here's the results of my labor:
IMG_002.jpg
IMG_003.jpg
The rubber bands were applied while the glue dried to hold everything tight. Having a favorable result I can continue with planning my new diorama.
Welcome to the beginnings of Pratt's Cove!!
For this diorama I'll be referring to Dave Revelia's boat repair for inspiration; although this time I'll be using my own design for about 95% of the diorama. It'll be set in the 1950's somewhere along the eastern seaboard in New England and I hope to make the structures to resemble that area. I'm very much looking forward to this new project and I hope y'all will follow along on my journey.
Aye Aye Matey!! Your off to a good start.
I'll be looking in on this new build.
Jerry
Step 1, CHECK...
may poke my nose in at times, have fun.
Quote from: Jerry on August 29, 2026, 03:19:57 PMAye Aye Matey!! Your off to a good start.
I'll be looking in on this new build.
Jerry
Thanks for following along.
Quote from: KentuckySouthern on August 29, 2026, 04:51:17 PMStep 1, CHECK...
may poke my nose in at times, have fun.
Karl stop by anytime and yes this will be fun.
I'll definitely be following along Larry.
Larry, you can't do much better than learning from Rob on how to build a boat.
You're off to a good start.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on August 29, 2026, 05:24:44 PMI'll definitely be following along Larry.
Curt nice to have you on board.
Quote from: Rick on August 29, 2026, 05:56:13 PMLarry, you can't do much better than learning from Rob on how to build a boat.
You're off to a good start.
Rick thanks. That's exactly what I thought; he does an awesome job scratch
building boats.
No skinny dipping! ;D
Besides Rob who is a great artist check Troel Kirks youtube page.
https://www.youtube.com/@troelskirk/featured (https://www.youtube.com/@troelskirk/featured)
Hi Larry. Welcome to the world of waterfront modelling. Thanks for the mention.
Looking forward to seeing how you go with this.
Here is one of my 1/48 scale Maine lobster boats. 9" long x 3" at its widest point, so scales to 36'x 12'. The very back of my lobster boat is 1 3/4", so 7'.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-290826213029-57978930.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-290826213029-57979670.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-290826213029-57980574.jpeg)
Quote from: robert goslin on August 29, 2026, 09:37:40 PMHi Larry. Welcome to the world of waterfront modelling. Thanks for the mention.
Looking forward to seeing how you go with this.
Here is one of my 1/48 scale Maine lobster boats. 9" long x 3" at its widest point, so scales to 36'x 12'. The very back of my lobster boat is 1 3/4", so 7'.
Rob you're welcome for the mention; your boats are amazing. It would be great having you following along on this one. The hull was a "proof of concept" to be sure I could pull it off. Thanks for your dimensions on yours, I may redo mine as the proportions seem a bit off to me. Thanks for the pics; those will give me something to refer to.
Larry, congrats on another fun project. It looks like you are off to a great start. Have fun, mike
Quote from: friscomike on August 30, 2026, 08:45:03 AMLarry, congrats on another fun project. It looks like you are off to a great start. Have fun, mike
Mike thanks; this will be an interesting project.