Finished my launch a while ago but have since always felt something wasn't quite right with it. At last I got myself together and took the plunge to 'refurbish' the areas I wasnt happy with. Firstly, I never did see eye-to-eye with those duckboard grates, so they were the first to go. I replaced them with a thin decking to match the main deck boards in the middle.
The anchor that came with it, I replaced with a scratch built new stock from small bits of mahogany and just used the actual anchor, building it in the same way as the big Victory anchor. However, this also went because I didn't think it was the right scale in relation to the boat. I have been following the discussions on here regarding the scratch-built grapples, so thought I'd have a go myself!
Next I attached a ring and some tread and did it up as best I could, then finally attached the grapple to the coil of 'rope' i had before (sneakily burying it in so it all looked like one piece.)

Please have a look at my photos; having trouble uploading them directly onto here.

http://img198.imageshack.us/g/imgp6559k.jpg/


Overall I am quite happy with it now; before I was ready to scrap it and find some means of acquiring the issues needed to re-build it.

Thought I'd put some pictures up if I can figure it out so everyone can see; thought it high time I contribute here instead of just reading it all!
Cheers,
Tom

thanks for that magpie,
sorry about the size, have figured it all out now so no more huge pictures!

cheers,
tom

grapple anchor only used for rockie or coral sea beds useles in sandy bottoms, hand grapples used for catching rigging when comeing alongside smaller than the anchore type so they could be thrown upwardes

Hi David,
Thank you very much! I'm finally pleased with the result.

The only parts that are stained are the ribs and the keel. I found a bottle of Colron, in 'Victorian Pine' which is the one I used here. The outside planking, and the internal deck boards are just varnished with matt.

Hope this helps,
Tom

No worries David

The hull was double planked; first with the supplied material, and then I went over it with some strips I have here, I *think* they are mahogany as they go quite dark when varnished.

The 'Victorian Pine' staining worked well for the internal ribs, however I think it has something to do with the type of wood the ribs are made from; I've used the stain on other wood (shelves etc) and it comes out very light. For some reason on the ribs for the launch it went much darker, maybe because it absorbs more or something? I did do several coats aswell.

Hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Tom

Tom

A great build -well done.

I'm about half way through my launch but come to standstill as I also do not like the supplied grating. the magazine has a grating with an edge which looks better but the supplied etch is just not right. Like your idea of planking instead so may have a go with this option soon.

Enjoy your build.

Regards

AJB