Build Log
Detailed three‑masted carrack from the Age of Discovery, the flagship of Christopher Columbus’s first Atlantic expedition
Santa Maria, originally known as La Gallega, was the largest of the three ships in Columbus’s first voyage and the only carrack among two lighter caravels, Niña and Pinta. Built as a robust merchant nao on the Spanish Atlantic coast, she was owned and commanded by Juan de la Cosa and adapted for a risky westward crossing into largely unknown waters. Her high fore and aft castles, three masts and capacious hull made her suitable for long ocean passages with provisions and crew, turning a typical trading vessel into the main command ship of a pioneering transatlantic expedition.
Under Columbus’s leadership, Santa Maria led the small fleet out of Palos de la Frontera and across the Atlantic, later becoming a symbol of the beginning of sustained European expansion into the Americas. Near the coast of Hispaniola she ran aground and was lost, and her timbers were used to build the small fort of Navidad, while the remaining ships returned to Spain, leaving Santa Maria forever tied to the dramatic opening chapter of the Age of Exploration.
Part 1
23.04.2026This model was a gift from a colleague, and I promised it would be next in line for building. The queue took over a year to get through—but I’m keeping my word. Thanks again, and let’s start a new project!
The kit is standard for Amati: good-quality wood and decent rigging thread. The boat, as usual, is a bit of a letdown—it’s an aluminum casting, so I’ll have to think about what to do with it. There are only two sheets of plans, but the model isn’t complicated, so that’s more than enough.
Part 2
26.05.2026The build begins with assembling the hull frame from 5 mm plywood. There are relatively few bulkheads, so the process is straightforward and does not take much time. However, this stage is critical when it comes to maintaining proper alignment—any distortion introduced here will be nearly impossible to correct later. From experience, it is highly beneficial to fill the space between the forward bulkheads with balsa blocks, which greatly simplifies the planking process down the line. Once the structure is in place, the bulkheads are carefully shaped to ensure smooth hull lines, preparing the surface for the first layer of planking.
The first planking layer is done using relatively wide and thick limewood strips (7×1.5 mm). Its purpose is to create a solid base for the final planking. Due to the pronounced deck camber and the high bow, some planks in the forward section are attached primarily to adjacent planks rather than directly to bulkheads. Small gaps and the use of temporary nails are acceptable at this stage, as the surface will later be sanded, filled, and sanded again. Any excess planking is carefully trimmed according to the plans to achieve the correct hull shape.
The second, finish planking layer is a more delicate and precise process. It is applied using individual planks scaled to approximately four meters in real length, which aligns well with historical shipbuilding practices. Toward the bow, the planks are gradually tapered, and in some areas, stealers are introduced to avoid reducing the planks into overly narrow strips. This approach helps maintain a realistic and visually consistent planking pattern.
With the second layer complete, the main hull structure can be considered finished. The surface is now ready for further detailing, and the next steps include laying the deck and constructing the bow and stern superstructures, which will bring the model closer to its final appearance.
