Sometimes you see an item online that you weren’t looking for, but the auction price is just too low to pass up. That’s how I ended up with Dumas Products’ USCG 41′ Utility Boat kit. This is the smaller version in 3/8″ = 1 foot scale, that is about 15 inches in length. I always drooled over this kit in the hobby shop when I was a kid, and now I get to build it.

This is an old-school die-cut kit, so don’t expect the amenities of modern kits. The instructions are on typed sheets, with the only illustrations on the plan sheet. The cast metal parts will usually have a lot of flash, and a lot of detail parts must be manufactured from strip/block stock, or even scrap from the die-cut sheets. The handrails and antennas will have to be shaped and soldered from brass rod. So roll up your sleeves and put on your problem-solving hat because this one is going to be a challenge.

Here are the pages for the construction:

Episode 1: The Building Board
Episode 2: Building up the keel
Episode 3: Adding the formers and sheers
Episode 4: Adding the chines
Episode 5: Adding the bottom planks
Episode 6: Removing the hull from the building board
Episode 7: Adding the center deck
Episode 8: Adding the side decks
Episode 9 Adding the side planks
Episode 10: Trimming the side planks
Episode 11: Adding the rear deck
Episode 12: Filling and sanding the hull
Episode 13: Adding the cabin formers
Episode 14: Adding the fore cabin sides and tops