AI am making a Noah's ark. Can anyone suggest how I should apply the fondant? Cover the entire ark then score fondant to look like wood? Cover in fondant wood planks? Or combine the two techniques?

EIther one of those is a good idea. I think if you were to post a picture of the cake we could help you brainstorm ideas on how to assemble. If you don't have a woodgrain impression mat..applying individual pieces may help get a "cleaner" look than trying to measure on the cake to score to make perfect wooden planks.

AI just wasn't sure if individual planks would slide off the cake. If I covered cake in fondant then added fondant planks I worry it would be too thick and unappetizing.

I would just add the planks to the buttercream. Attach then with water and they should stay....just make sure each plank isnt too thick. 

Also add the planks to a warm cake...the cold cake will condensate and cause the planks to slip 

This was made by cutting individual planks and applying directly to BC. I followed Debbie Brown's instructions from her book.Just make sure you start at the bottom and go up so the planks rest on the one below.

 This cake was for my 3 year old grandson so we bought the figurines for him to keep.

A

This is gorgeous! I am going to attemp a jake and the neverland pirates theme cake too for my son's 3rd bday. I hope it will come close to this! Love love love it!

Is this all cake? So apply individual "wooden planks" to the carved cake? Did you paint your fondant to look like wood grain/stain? Any tips would he most welcome! Thanks again! :)

AThis exactly the cake or very similar to the cake I have to make for the 2nd of June, was very worried how to do it, so will probably go with the planks in Woodgrain, not do bothered about that, more getting the shape right, any ideas?

I made this cake with choc ganache underneath and individual planks. after they were placed I went back and texturized them and painted dark lines. the customer wanted a rough look.

pirate cake.jpg

I made this one with rice crispies/ buttercream and individual planks. I textured the planks before I put them on.

ABoth fab. How did you make the masts?

 Thanks for the compliments!
It is all cake except for the mast and sails and guard rail. the mast is made from covering a skewer with gumpaste and texturizing it to look like old wood. The sails are gumpaste painted with  the picture,( if I had wafer paper available I would have used that instead) it was hard to keep the sail in shape and on the mast with the curve in it.

I cut the planks and did the woodgrain before I applied them to the cake and went back to do touch ups afterwards and make some areas darker.

Great looking ship Ella!

A[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3244764/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

Ella, Rosie, this is my cake from today, unfortunately didn't Get to put the little people on , they were added later at the party, shame as it looks sad without them.

I made the sail from icing, abit difficult, but was pleased for first attempt.

Looks great Nannycook!  I don't think I could have attempted the sails with icing:)