Those on Twitter and Discord already know, but I figured I create a thread here as well. I have recently purchased Warlord Games' Master & Commander starterset for Black Seas, including three 5th rate frigates and six brigs.
Here are all primed and painted, before rigging.
Applied the standing rigging only. As I didn't like the paper sails, I replaced them with canvas, which turned out to be a bit stiff. I might bend it a little with threads, eventually. I have also chosen to not use the ratlines that come with the ships. I might get some 3D printed or even get me some of these frames to make them with thread myself at some point.
Here they are seeing first combat on the double-sided paper sea map that comes with the pack.
Here a larger scenario on the carribean/mediterranean side of the sheet. I have recorded it and might edit it down into a battle report.
However, I don't like the paper map too much. It is alright for traveling, but will surely start breaking at the folds pretty quickly. Thus, I decided to make a custom game mat. Got me some painter's fleece with thin plastic backing, painted it in shades of blue and applied about five tubes of casual transparent silicon caulking. And another one for some wave structure on top. It rolls up pretty well. The silicone might crack at some point, of course.
I also built some islands and high shore with styrofoam, sand and flocking.
Together with a signal tower and a Martello tower from Hagen Miniatures it all looks pretty neat now, I think. Might need a backdrop to hide my living room away.
I do have some schooner and cutter models I need to finish and will probabaly get a few 3rd rate ships of the line, but not much more. I like small engagements. Might also try Post Captain, which seems perfect for ship-on-ship combat.