Dorade by Kevin - Amati - 1/20

Kevin Aris · June 15, 2020

Welcome to my new build

This was presented to me by NRG Model Ship World a few months ago as a retirement present, for which i am extremely grateful, my kit is the one that was reviewed

i have been given permission by the reviewer to use this

1:20 Dorade – 1931
Amati
Catalogue # 1605

Dorade is a yacht designed in 1929 by Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens and built 1929–1930 by the Minneford Yacht Yard in City Island, New York. She went on to place 2nd in the Bermuda Race later that year. The crew for its first race received the All-Amateur Crew Prize. However, it would be a win in the Transatlantic Race that would bring the boat its name. She completed a race that takes an estimated 3–4 weeks in just 17 days, earning her crew a parade upon the ship's return and a reception for Olin Stephens hosted by the mayor of New York. Olin Stephens, the designer, was skipper through 1932 when he handed the boat to his brother, Rod Stephens. Led by Rod, Dorade sailed to victory in the 1932 Bermuda Race. From Bermuda, Dorade sailed back to Norway, down to Cowes, England, and finally back to America after winning the Fastnet Race. The victory of the 1932 Fastnet Race was of substantial significance given the unusually severe weather, several ships feared missing as well as one recorded drowning among the events that unfolded.

Dorade was completely restored in 1997 at the shipyard of Argentario, in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy. In 2013, Dorade took first place (after applying her handicap) in the Trans-Pacific race that she had won in 1936.
Edit courtesy of Wikipedia

For further information on Dorade, check out this excellent page at Dorade.org

The kit

The size of this box (and it’s huge!) certainly belies the weight of it. You’d expect something as heavy as the Vanguard that we looked at a couple of months ago, but that’s certainly not the case at all. The reason for this will be seen in a moment. The box itself is beautifully presented with a super-glossy lid depicting a finished Dorade model, and of course in a portrait format due to the shape of the vessel. The model itself, at 1:20 scale, has given measurements of 85.6cm long, and 103 cm tall. More images of the completed vessel adorn the sides of the box. Now, lifting that lid reveals an open top lower box, unlike the complete and enclosed boxes of other large Amati kits I’ve looked at. Immediately, your eyes are drawn to the reason why this box is relatively light, and that is the inclusion of a complete ABS hull, and hence the reason why this model is stated as being suitable for RC conversion, although the modeller will have to fathom that themselves, as no instructions are given for that particular path. Internally, the box has a number of card inserts to stop the various contents from jangling around loose. It’s only the components tray itself that seems to be a little freer to move, but thankfully, mine hadn’t spilled open or become dislodged.

That ABS hull is very nicely moulded, is fairly thin, and super-light in weight. It has a glossy external finish and will just need some buffing and polishing to remove some very minor surface abrasions. The upper edge will need the fuzziness removed from, but again, this is something that’s very east to do, and not a reflection of the quality, which really is excellent.

First, we take a look at the thick, clear sleeve and the paper contents within. Quite a few Amati releases have a glossy instruction manual, and this has one too, well…at least the cover is glossy, with Italian text giving a short history of the vessel. Inside, the instructions are given in line drawing format, with shading for clarity. All stages have a reference number which can be cross-checked with the written assembly instructions. For these, a glossy Italian manual is provided, with standard A4 sheets provided for both the French and English versions. Going back to the main illustrative instructions, there is some annotation given in all three set languages also. Parts are also clearly identified, whether they be wooden, or one of the many fittings that are supplied. Please note that the timber parts themselves aren’t actually numbered, and you will need to refer to the component identification plan sheet. Construction tips are also given, such as how to mark the waterline.

As for the fittings etc., these can be identified against a comprehensive parts list that is provided in each language, which gives the part number, name, and specific number of included components. I suggest that each packet of components be put in a zip-lock wallet with the kit identifying code written on, to make it easy to locate the parts needed during construction.

FOUR large plan sheets are included in this release, printed on relatively thin paper. The first three sheets provide large scale drawings of the Bessel, from profiles, to upper elevations and sectional material, plus those all-important fitting positions etc. Annotation on the main plans appears to be in Italian, but the illustrations are clear to see, so for a competent modeller, there shouldn’t be any problems encountered. If the worst comes to worst, just use an online translator tool.

The last of the large plan sheets is the parts guide for the wooden sheets, with all parts being easily identified against the instruction booklet. I’m sure I once read that the Dorade kit provided no parts reference for things such as the internal hull framework etc. and that everything was in Italian. Well, if that was the case, then it certainly isn’t now. Remember that companies like Amati revise their kits from time to time, in instructions as well as parts, so maybe that referred to an old issue.

A sandwich of timber is now provided as two long plywood sheets are taped together, with the thin ply deck hiding between them. These main sheets are the thickest timber components in the box and provide the modeller with the various internal hull frames and bulkheads, as well as the parts that make up stand (note that no main plinth is supplied, as shown on the box lid). All parts are cleanly laser-cut with very small tags to cut through to remove them from their sheets.

The deck is a full-length piece of thin ply with mast holes in situ, and the rear panel for lower deck access, just needing removal.

As this is a stylish sail yacht, you need some decent sail material, and a packet of this is included here. You’ll need to cut and stitch these yourself as per plan.

Another thick, clear sleeve contains more timber components, plus a number of other items. One of the timber sheets is a smaller, thin ply sheet with parts associated with the various deck structures, to name but a few. Cutting is again nice and clean, and timber quality is excellent. Parts here are for the various stringers, cockpit sides and edges, funnel flange and deckhouse roof etc.

Two thicker walnut sheets include parts for the rudder, gunwales, belaying pin rack, ventilator tops, skylights, doors, winch steps. Mizzen mast coaming and crosstrees, plus other coamings and side elements. As a number of these parts will be varnished and the wood generally seen, you will need to remove any charring from the laser cutting.

One packet contains some good quality acetate for the various deck structure windows, and also a piece of what appears to be a glossy dark green card. I can’t identify that as of yet.

Timber strip quality is high and also cleanly cut. This first bundle, held by a thread and paper wrap, is for the deck planking. Remember, no hull planking here! This creamy coloured material will need to have a nice deck caulk effect set between them.

Another bundle of timber includes circular and semi-circular dowel lengths, and more strip timber in Ramin and walnut.

Several lengths of brass section strip are included, as is a length of thick copper rod.

Amati has included a reasonably sized sheet of brass photo etch. This really must be the shiniest, most polished PE that I’ve ever seen. Totally mirror-like in quality. Here you will find parts that include mast collars, shelves, trolleys, flanges, portholes, jib brackets, sheave boxes, rails, and turnbuckle and ventilator parts, again, to name but a few. Production quality is first rate, with narrow, thin tags holding the components securely until you need to remove them. A separate, smaller piece of PE contains the external and internal hawseholes.

Lastly, we take a look at the plastic tray of components. This tray is a typical Amati storage box in vac-form plastic, with a clear lid. This is compartmentalised to accommodate the numerous packets of fittings within. Dorade’s fitting tray is certainly weighty, with NINETEEN packets of fittings, nails, decals and rigging cord. Fittings include cleats, portholes, winches, eyebolts, ventilators, boom parrels, turnbuckles, snaphooks, rings, pulleys, sheaves and side lights. Where those parts are cast, the finish is very good, with just a buffing needed before priming

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Conclusion
If you want a project that is a little different from the norm, then Dorade may be just what you are after. With the hull just requiring some remedial finishing before use, plus cutting out the scuppers, you should also find that it’s a relatively quick project that will take a few months instead of running into years. Dorade is a beautiful yacht, and Amati have very much caught her lines here. There is of course a little jigging around between the parts plan, materials and the instructions, and of course with any model this size, you’ll need a reasonable working space, plus some intermediate skills when it comes to tackling the various task required. For the price, she’s also a very attractive subject and will doubtless be a real centrepiece when on display. Quality is typically Amati, and I’m sure you’ll really like this one!

OutcastJoel · June 16, 2020

That looks like a beautiful kit, I will follow along with interest.

(I assume the last two photos are of someone else's kit and you haven't actually already finished it?)

Kevin Aris · June 16, 2020

2 hours ago, OutcastJoel said:

That looks like a beautiful kit, I will follow along with interest.

(I assume the last two photos are of someone else's kit and you haven't actually already finished it?)

it part of the kit review

Kevin Aris · June 17, 2020

Good morning everyone

a slow start but the deck planking is going down, i have gone back to using the kit supplied strip wood and it is thicker then my own

Kevin Aris · June 17, 2020

good evening everyone

4 rows in and starting to look ok, take a bit of time to get the fir right, as the wood is different widths

Kevin Aris · June 18, 2020

good evening everyone

i hit a problem this morning, and took until tonight to think through a decent repair

the after corner jogling board either side of the cockpit did not meet the run of planking was infact just over 1mm short, it has taken me all day to think through a solution

in this photo i have tried to go round it but you can see the next board will not be wide enough to fill the gap

pulling all the boards off would not solve the problem, as you can see they are symmetrical, infill would not work, then tonight whilst dog walking, i had a senior moment and thought make the cockpit boards wider, and that what i did, an 6 hour worry and an hour to resolve, im happy again, personally i dont know how this could have been avoided

starboard side cut off

found a piece of strip wood the right width

attached it to the joggling board

both sides done and back in place

Kevin Aris · June 20, 2020

good morning everyone

thank you for comments and likes

deck planking continues,

what ever error i have made is continuing through, even though i still dont know if it was a mistake by me, as i have to do the same repair to the foremast joggle plate

Edited June 20, 2020 by Kevin Aris

Kevin Aris · June 20, 2020

good evening everyone

one side is nearly completed, what a lot of work to get it this far

Arjan · June 20, 2020

Very nice work and rapid progress ! I love the model but it's not a kit for the faint-hearted . The ABS hull seems perfect for an rc conversion unlike the fiber glass hulls produced by Amati in the past which were far too heavy.

Regards,

Arjan

Kevin Aris · June 20, 2020

3 minutes ago, Arjan said:

Very nice work and rapid progress ! I love the model but it's not a kit for the faint-hearted . The ABS hull seems perfect for an rc conversion unlike the fiber glass hulls produced by Amati in the past which were far too heavy.

Regards,

Arjan

the hull is very light and tough with it, kit would suit a new starter, but lol i think the decking would put them off, if however they brought a version out with a printed deck to give the option, it would sell quite well IMO

Kevin Aris · June 24, 2020

Good evening everyone

well the decking was completed, without to much fuss, and everything was the same both side, Joggling is a bit of an art, but got better as time went by

then i had a fantastic idea remove the king planks sand them back and re-stain , sort the wonky nibbles out and then varnish the planking before the king plank go back on

brilliant idea (actually it was a very very bad idea, just spent three hours getting them back in, they bear no resemblance to what i have been test fitting over the last few days, god i make some work for myself lol

the stand is temporary for now i want to paint it a different colour to the hull which will be blue

Kevin Aris · June 26, 2020

Good morning everyone

well thats game of thrones watched, we thouroughly enjoyed it all 8 seasons,

so now hope to spend a couple extra hours a day on the build until the next boxset, possibly "Killing Eve"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Eve

made some progress on the cabin top, i am finding it much harder than anticipated to keep everything clean and new looking, and trying to keep it OOB without extra, although i would like to get some white rigging line,

and the box art shows brass rings on the sails, im not sure if thats correct, these are not included as part of the kit

Arjan · June 26, 2020

It's a pleasure to watch your progress ! You might consider the 1/20 Tamiya yacht crew set to add some life to the model once it's finished. This figure set is difficult to get hold of but the figures are essentially the same as those in the pit crew tire changing set. The latter set should still be widely available.

Regards,

Arjan

Kevin Aris · June 26, 2020

20 minutes ago, Arjan said:

It's a pleasure to watch your progress ! You might consider the 1/20 Tamiya yacht crew set to add some life to the model once it's finished. This figure set is difficult to get hold of but the figures are essentially the same as those in the pit crew tire changing set. The latter set should still be widely available.

Regards,

Arjan

thank you for that, great idea

Kevin Aris · June 26, 2020

good evening everyone

work on the yacht continues, the rudder post fitted, the rudder its self will be secured into position later, it will be fixed in a permanent way

the structure has now been secured inside the hull, i now need to secure the deck to the sides, as i did not want to much 2 part epoxy dripping everywhere

26 holes have been put in, mainly for the scuppers and 4 hawse holes using the PE templete

the scuppers were a real pain, and still need a lot of work to just get two looking the same

beefy66 · June 27, 2020

Great work so far there kevin great decking work :book:

I bet your bin men wonder what color it will be every collection day :wink:

beefy

Kevin Aris · June 27, 2020

its also very convenient for just dropping a build in there and restart another :bomb:

Edited June 27, 2020 by Kevin Aris

Kevin Aris · June 28, 2020

good evening everyone

i in a position now to think about putting a primer on the hull, but been to wet and windy this weekend

the mast is made up, by off centring different different strip wood to create an oval shape, it going to be tall at 97 cm long, still to be tapered off

today i have brought another build back from the dead and will now also progress the Amerigo Vespucci

Kevin Aris · July 25, 2020

good afternoon everyone

between sanding priming and filling the AV hull, lets put some colour on the Dorade

hawse holes, i have decided to leave in brass, rather than paint them the hull colour

yet again the box art shows a difference to the kit contents, the glosst pictures show a overhang of the capping rail , unfortunately even i i did not put a overhang on they would not have fitted, so and infill was put in at the pointy end

these photo def show the capping rail overhanging the hull

Waterline stripe went on ok, it called for 8mm i could only get 6mm i might put a go faster one on at a later date, i bought them in 10m rolls of ebay, car pin stripes

rails fitted went ok

the mast,

it calls for the mast to be chamfered to fit a 10mm hole in the lower deck, i decided to pin a 10mm dowel to the mast, which worked ok, it was then checked for height, and then adapting to fit the various brass bit, which took a while to get right

Kevin Aris · July 27, 2020

Good evening everyone

thank you for the comments

dont think i have ever built anything, quite like this, yes the box art is very different to the kit, but for an OOB kit the instructions are good, the material is good, everything fits, and it is certainly a nice looking subject, would be even better if i was a half decent builder

the deck fittings have had attention today, the cockpit breakwater, cabin hosing and various bits are in progress on the table, including making your own blocks