Hello Dave,
I think a huge amount of the used parts in modelling are from a different purpose - everything else is a kit or part of it

The used timber makes good planking effect as the planks have comparatively strong nuances. Expansive planks from the model store have more consisting quality concerning colour.
Also, the deck was sanded but not hooved before sealing it with the first layer of varnish. Dust keeps between the plank joints and makes a consisting border around the planks. A fault was to use cheap sandpaper so that also a few (not too many) particles of grain remained on the deck, but with the next deck and better paper, that won't happen again.

Today there was a small autumn fun run / end of season at a friendly club, so there was a good chance to test the model in the water. Fittings, additinal parts on the superstructure,... increased the weight of the model for about 700 g compared to the first test, so today, all ballast left in the bottom of the boat was removed. The boat has not become top-heavy but the change of weight from the bottom to the top is perceptible. Nevertheless, the boat still runs stable.



Kind regards
Matt