1/9th Scale Jaws Orca (NECA Size)

[DCN]

When things in life get hard, it's amazing how people let you know, we're here for you. All week my phone, my wife's phone we're ringing off the hook and digging constantly with messages. I got the shock of my life when my friend who produced the Brody head surprised me with not one but two sets of orca letters. One set has a smooth finish the other has a flaking rusting metal look. When he showed and sent me these he simply said keep your head straight, hug and hold your wife be there for her, I'm thinking and here for you.
On a lighter note,.....I got the porthole locations set.
Thank you for all the thoughtful and kind words from all of you, it meant a lot! Thank you!

 

[joberg]

Orca letters are looking good as the portholes also Sending good vibes to your wife, you and your family

 

[DCN]

Fiberglassing is done! Sanding and maybe a second coat of resin.

 

[joberg]

It will float for sure

 

[DCN]

She floats! Stable too. I added 20pds of lead bars to get her down to the water line. Makes me wonder how much weight I'll be adding when everything's built and on her? Batteries, radio, smoke unit, all her cabins, mast, flying bridge, barrels (yes they're heavy solid resin). I did have one problem, the keel is 4 pieces of plywood epoxyed together. It's not water tight. As I put all the lead in the hull, a small weep of water developed right down the center line of the keel. I'll have to epoxy resin the inside top of the keel the full length of the hull, and give the outside keel another layer of resin too.
Jaws trivia, did you know all the lead ballast on the real orca came from a dentist office. It was supose to be installed as x Ray shielding.

 

[joberg]

Good stuff. The ballast seem to work well. Since the design of that ship is very forgiving in terms of stance in the water; I don't think you'll have to worry about additional weight. The worry should be on the height (mast & all), making the ship sway from side to side rather than dip below the floating line

 

[DCN]

Spray printed the hull on this National day off.

 

[DCN]

Some painting and weathering.

 

[joberg]

Looking good

 

[DCN]

Rudder servo is mounted.

 

[DCN]

Cabin deck and hatches are ready to be planked. First things first though, the battery box and radio have to be mounted. All the lighting wires need to be routed. Below deck needs to be weathered with oil spills, dirt, and weathered timber.

 

[joberg]

Great update; eager to see the next one

 

[DCN]

Working on the forward main cabin wall

 

[DCN]

 

[joberg]

Looking good Keep up the great work!

 

[DCN]

Small update. I'm really pleased with how tight the cabin walls fit together. I'll have to use wood glue instead of insta-cure to set them. But that's a step way down the road. I can cut the plexiglass windows, and start working on the forward cabins.

 

[Searun]

DNC,
Liked going through your thread on the Orca. I am basically a model boat hobbyist. Realy appreciate the beauty of the design of wooden boat hulls. The construction process and the results bring a certain enjoyment. Glad to see the test float and application of ballast. Keep up your spirits along with the beautiful work. Many days of sailing to look forward too.

When I was a kid, I built a large Sterling cabin cruiser many years before Jaws. Used ancient unreliable RC equipment. Trolled small spinning lures in a pond that had s sunfish. Learned to use light line. Bass would take the boat for a ride. Fishing poles were our retrievable device.

 

[joberg]

Keep up the great work

 

[flimzy]

I’m enjoying watching your progress so much.

 

[DCN]

The cabin walls are done, almost. There are some pieces that I can't glue in until the cabin "furniture" is set. Cutting the windows is the next step.
Searun, Thank you for your caring kind words. This is the first time in 35 years I've built a boat. So far, so good. Lol.
Joberg, you've always been there my friend. Starting to look like orca, eh?
Filmsy, I must have 70 printed photos of your build, flying fish's build, and the Jaws DvD. You are a huge influence on me (in more ways than one lol) for my build.
Thank you all!