Halfhull mounting

[redsail]

I received a lovely half hull model of my Atkin ketch for my birthday and
don't know how to best mount it . It is scaled at one inch to the foot so it is 32" long
plus 7" of bowsprit and 2" of rudder. The builder delivered it tacked to a piece of
doorskin 41"x16" for transport. He suggested mounting the halfhull straight to the wall
in my study, while I was leaning towards mounting it on a varnished plaque of hull
planking. I am looking for your suggestions.

[rbgarr]

You might first decide where you want to place it in your study and have someone hold it there by hand temporarily while you look at it. Does it fill the space well as is without the temporary backboard? If painted, does it go well with the walls? If oiled or varnished, how does it look? Would an added plaque fit the space? I'd add about 3-4" of length per end for a plaque beyond the ends of the model when mounted. That sounds like you might be looking at a plaque 3'9" long and of unknown height (you don't say whether the rudder extends beyond the transom or give top to bottom dimension for the model)

Is there a visible waterline to the model? That would make it easier to mount it straight on a plaque. If you decide on a plaque you may want to get a larger piece of wood than you'd ultimately use for the finished plaque, shift the model around on it, consider the plaque's grain, experiment with different margins by drawing different shape rectangles temporarily until you get one that looks right to your eye.

To mount on the plaque, lightly pencil in a waterline on the plaque that corresponds to the one on the model, drive a few very small tacks into the back of the model in places where a screw driven into the model from the back of the plaque will not protude through the carved outside of the hull, and press the hull down on the plaque with the waterlines aligned. This will give you pilot hole marks in the plaque and hull when you it to drill for your screws.

Test fit and fasten. I've never used glue... just screws.

Remove the hull, cut, prep and finish your plaque to suit.

Mount securely on wall and enjoy.

:D

[ 10-30-2003, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: rbgarr ]

[NormMessinger]

Those I've seen were on a nicely finished back board. It seems to set the half hull off like a matt and frame does a picture.

If you have a router, get a keyhole bit, so which ever way you decide, you can mount either the model directly to the wall or the back board without through holes and screws that show.

[abe]

Dug up a photo of one of my favorite Fife's and it is mounted on a 3/4" mahogany board that is about the size you would want for your Atkin. It should give you an idea of how the mounted model would appear.

It is 39" across and about 9" high. A rather heavy piece and therefore attached with three #10 screws. It is currently hanging in the stairwell of my son's home so I do not have exact measurements. The board is about three inches longer than the hull at bow and stern and extends two inches at shear and keel.

Would like too see photos of both your model and Atkin when you have a chance to post. Thanks

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p2ddfab3c71e789718b6eb8dac9d12eb4/fab286e8.jpg

abe

[Bruce Hooke]

On the right wall (say a clean white wall) I think you could also hang it without a backing board. It's a big enough model so that I think it would "hold it's own," visually speaking, without a backing board. That said, a backing board would most likely look fine too. I would go with a wood or paint color that contrasts with the halfhull, but otherwise try to keep the backing low-key so that the emphasis is on the model.

[Venchka]

Something I learned a long time ago about visual perceptions. Place the horizontal middle of the model above the horizontal centerline of the board. It doesn't take much. Experiment by eye is the best way. Just so you have more board showing below the keel than above the sheer. If you put it dead center it will look like it's off center to the bottom. Same applies to mats for pictures. The bottom margin is always greater than the top and sides, which should be equal in pictures-but perhaps not for your half-hull.