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[Dave Leishman]

Just a thought that struck me when I read Pauls mysterious post about 1/72 scale warships and the size of them. 

What do you look for when you decide to build a model boat? Something different? Bigger?

I do model trawlers as I can identify with the boats - that being my first job when I left school - although I guess 10 years in the Navy should have pointed me in the warship direction, but while I can admire model warships, they just don't interest me to build.

I find that trawlers can be as clean or messy as you like, and it's still a valid model, whereas warships, for example, are (nearly) always pristine, and lifeboats certainly always are (for obvious reasons).

I did try the Aziz (and completed it) from Model Slipway, but don't get anything out of sailing it, and in fact it hasn't been out of it's box this year. So trawlers are my thing - what's yours and why?

Just curious you understand

[dougal99]

I build what I find aesthetically pleasing (Brittany trawler) or fancy as fun to sail (club 500) which means I have ended up with a pretty eclectic fleet. My ambition is also tempered by my estimate of my abilities. I would have liked the 1/72 Victory but I know I would never have done it justice and my Billings Cutty Sark is still not finished after 30 years (running rigging and a few rails to add). However, it has been boxed in storage for the last 20 years (my son is only 18!!).

I'm also tempted by the current plans for a boat my father built for me in the fifties and intend to renovate the pond yacht he built as well as add RC. Long term I intend to build a 1/96 HMS Exeter (the modern version) as that is my home town.

So I guess I build what I like the look of if I think I can do it justice.

Cheers

Doug

[warspite]

Warships,

been a military freak ever since building airfix and matchbox, never did like the quality of the revell kits.

[boatmadman]

I just do what takes my fancy, I have done a tug (Banckert) kit, MTB (Brave Borderer) scratch, Grand Banks Schooner scratch, Pen Duick scratch (a fifies design yacht from 1890's),Riva scratch, k7 bluebird kit, fast electric kit, three 1m yachts scratch and have just started a scratch steam drifter.
Ian

[Colin Bishop]

I like merchant ships, preferably larger ones from around 1890 to 1956.  Love the turn of the century liners. I've tried different scales including miniatures but probably prefer around 1:150. However the current project is a 1:48 scale model of the fishery protection vessel Brenda of 1951. (Denny built) Elegant hull with not a straight line in it. Hope to get it finished this winter. I have also made a few kits as review models for Model Boats including Talacre, Imara and Cumbrae. Not done much recently as I have had full sized yachts to maintain and they do take up all your spare time, even small ones like mine!

[peewee]

I guess like most people I was 'imprinted' at an early age. This means early 1970's and wooden Aerokits / Keilkraft boats with glow engines. There is something about the smell and noise of these old boats & it is nice to have radio control (to save having to catching them) and boats that don't break down in the middle of the water. So far the line up is one of each size crash tender, a 4ft Sea Queen, a Lesro Sprite and the latest addition - a little 2ft Sea Scout.

Pete

[Ghost in the shell]

I prefer to build merchant craft, however for me, it is a case of "how easy is this to modify to a theme", such as turning a container ship into a nuclear waste ship.

[RickF]

I started in the 50s with the first ever Airfix kit - a Ferguson tractor. Graduated to aircraft (Airfix and Merit), with a few of the "little" Airfix sailing ships thrown in. Joined the ATC, then the RAF straight from school and got hooked on model railways - saw enough of aircraft everyday. BTW, visited Duxford recently. Every aircraft I ever worked on is now a museum piece! Built the odd boat (MacGregor single channel "click click" radio control), then got married and put it all away for thirty years.

With retirement approaching I decided I needed a constructive hobby. Aircraft were still a no-go area, a garden railway was vetoed by the DSM, so it was back to boats. I had always been interested in the late Victorian Navy, mainly because of the colour scheme, so thats what it had to be.

And talking of big warships, I'm currently researching the Marathon Class Protected Cruisers of 1888 and seriously thinking of building one in 1:48 scale - just under six feet long!

Rick

[tigertiger]

I too started with Airfix, great stuff. I lusted after the 1/24 Spitfire and got it one xmas. Marvellous. On occasions when I didn't get enough poscket money I would have to by Revell, but I was never happy.
I only once bought Tamiya, fantastic model Kettenkraftrad, 1/2 track motorcycle. Unfortunatley they were too expensive for me.
I also once bought a KeilKraft ME109, rubber band powered model. Balsa and tissue paper. I over doped the wings and they went banana shaped ::)

But that was many years ago.

Currently I like sail. I think the sight of canvas over water is very aesthetically pleasing. I also have acess to a small ornamental pond that is about 80m by 25m, with ducks and several hundred large gold fish, and thousands of minnows. Because the sail boat is pretty and quiet nobody has complained yet.
The pond is only small, but it is in a hollow, and is surrounded by tall buidings. This makes the wind challenging, as it can turn 180 degrees within a couple of meters. Some days it is possible to sail up one side of the lake with the wind behind you, and back down the other side of the lake with the wind behind you.
The pond is probably too small to have a lot of fun with many motorized models. Imagine a 12ft warship, I would need a tug to turn her about .

My first was a Victoria sail boat that was not expensive, to see if I enjoyed sailing. I love it.
I am now working on a Mary J Ward. This has been a challenge, as I am modifying it. I have given up trying to source stuff here in China, it is very frustrating. There is no poly urathane, no dowling, and not all standard tools are available.
Everything I buy in has a big postage charge. For example the inkjet decal paper someone introduced on another thread. cost 1.50 ish per sheet, postage about 7.00ish.

My next model will be a scratch build, probably the Higgins boat. I know I will be able to source most of the stuff here.

[Doc]

Dave,
I think it's more a matter of what "grabs" me at any particular point.  Taking into account how difficult I think it will be, how much room I have to do the building in, and what I can afford (<-- the biggy!).  I'm influenced by what other people build.  One of those, "Hey, I could do that!", thingys (which isn't always the case  :-[).  I also have the attitude of "I can do anything, if I want to bad enough.".  (And if you think that's a great attitude, let me make a few suggestions to preserve your sanity/health - lol.)  I haven't worked my nerve up enough to do 'scratch' building...yet.  BUT!  I won't say that I won't.
If it doesn't provide a 'challenge', if I think there won't be any 'problems', I probably won't try it (unless it's something I really like the looks of [that's a 'hedge', since I'm not always smart enough to leave it alone]).
Sounds sort of typical for modelers from what I can gather...
 - 'Doc

[cbr900]

I will model anything provided to me it is eye catching and my models cover a large range, but the thing that is important to me is the fact that I can reproduce something that looks like the original, I try but like most I suppose I feel I am never quite perfectly happy so I build the next one and try all over again, I really never consider cost as from what I have learnt you cannot take it with you, so I will be leaving very little, except for quite a few boats.......

[RickF]

You are right, Roy, on two counts.

1. The next model will always be perfect - you learn something new every time

2.  You can't take it with you. My wife and I have agreed that we should prioritise our spending on essentials such as holidays, hobbies, old cars and good living. The remainder we'll waste on food, clothing, heat and light!. My secret ambition is to be shot by a jealous lover at the age of 83, while opening a letter from my bank manager telling me I'm broke!

Rick

[Martin (Admin)]

I started building a Clyde Puffer for Jan ..... it just seemed a great idea at the time!
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Builds/Puffer_Jan/1ndex_Puffer_Jan.htm

Can anyone give me a bit of advice regarding wiring up lights on an old wooden mast........ ::)

Martin

[Peterm]

I`m not sure exactly what you are after Martin, but when I wired up an old scratch-built crabber some years back, I used thin wire and made it look like rigging or stays or whatever the correct term is.   peteM

[HS93 (RIP)]

If it's not too late try using a razor saw to cut a groove up each side of the mast and put the wire in there, then fill. also mast's would have had wires visable so make a feature of them with bands to hold them on .if they are being switched individually you should only need one neg wire.  peter

 ps did you get the LEDs

[Martin (Admin)]

No didn't go for the LEDs in the end, in the end I opted for the bulbs ..... as i had some and they match the rest of the boat.

back on topic, I think I may have a go at one of the George Turner Model 'fun boats' for my next build.... something short and sweet!
http://www.georgeturnermodels.com/index.php?page=shopping&shop_cat_id=53

[andywright]

Mine is tugs, great to build and if you have a couple of barges great to play with!!

[Wetwater]

, I think I may have a go at one of the George Turner Model 'fun boats' for my next build.... something short and sweet!
http://www.georgeturnermodels.com/index.php?page=shopping&shop_cat_id=53

     
                  It might be short and sweet now, but will probably have grown up into an ocean going trawler by the time you finish it.   ::)
                 
                  Look how long it's taking you to build Jan's puffer.      

                  Sorry Martin, just joking.         I'm going now.  :-*

[Seaspray]

What looks good and I find is an interesting build. Have been stuck to what kits have been on the market but starting to do some scratch building ( if work doesn't get in the way) It opens a big door to choice

[Nomad]

I have tried other small models of a simple nature, but I have always wanted a Sub, and eventually got one after a long wait.
Dunno, maybe in a previous life I was on a sub:) they have always fascinated me from childhood onwards.
Love all the old B+W movies about them and even the new ones too.
Now I have an Akula(I will get it working) and later will get some more.

[Doc]

Martin,
Someone has already told you about ~MY~ idea of cutting/filling grooves in the mast for the wiring.  So, the 'other' suggestion is to use bamboo.  The stuff is hollow to start with, just run the wires through it.  Good idea to 'cure' it before using.  Prevents cracking/bending/etc... also gives you some more time to play with other things.
 - 'Doc

[flag-d]

I've only built one boat, it was what I'd always wanted to build and it turned out to be just as good as I could have hoped for, my Fairmile Type D MTB/MGB.

Yonks ago, I was around 11 or 12, I read an adventure story at school and the 'goodies' had this Fairmile Type D roaring around the Med chasing gold smugglers as I remember.  It always stuck in my mind.

When I started to research the real boats, my interest rapidly grew stronger and stronger and I just knew that 'the time had come'.  I'd never built anything before that wasn't a kit out of a box type thing, and this wasn't scratch built, but Westbourne's 'semi-kit'.  It took a year, it fascinated me from start to finish, I enjoyed every second of it (not once did the toys come out of the pram!) and I'm extremely pleased with the results.

Well, you did ask!

Mike