Building model boats and ship models is a fun and rewarding hobby. Here is how to get started building from kit or plans – RC or static – sail or power.
Building model boats is fun and the excitement can run high when you pull all the stops to buy that kit, plan or stack of material. But before you dive in and spend a wad of cash, a reality check may be in order. The last thing you want is to start a project you can't finish. Thrust me, I've been there too many times myself. Follow this link for more on choosing model boats and ships to build.
Most people seem to think building model boats from kits is a lot easier than building from scratch. I'm not sure if that is true. The most important advantage a kit has is that some parts are preformed and that it comes with instructions.
Some wooden model boat kits are of low quality, both in terms of material and instructions. A measly kit like that is a waste of time and will hinder you more than help.
Many model boats have been build from scratch as a first model. You just have to figure out what building method suits you best. A good way to start is with strip or sheet planked plank-on-bulkhead model boats. I'd recommend using balsa or basswood to limit the need for power tools.
If you happen to be an experienced woodworker with a shop area and some power tools, building bread-and-butter model boats may be a good option. It is a lot faster than strip planking in most cases.
Both methods above will work if you are building a radio controlled model boat. One thing to consider is how quickly you want to get to sail it. If you are in hurry, consider a kit with a preformed hull from ABS or fiberglass.
If you’re just starting out, chose a relatively simple project. The quickest way to kill all enthusiasm is to get in way over your head. A sensible approach is to conquer a few skills with each successive model. This way you learn to tackle more and more difficult projects as your skills develop. At the same time you'll keep the cost down in the event you decide to abandon a project.
Model Boats Tip:Aim slightly low – i.e. chose a project where you’re confident you have what it takes to finish - skill and tool wise. When building model boats it’s better to breeze through a project (and start another) than getting stuck and never finish!
Model Boat Hull Construction
The hull is probably the most important aspect of model boat building – and, in my opinion, the most fun to build! There are many methods and materials that can be used. Some of the methods for building model boat hulls are:
Most model ship kits come with a preformed solid block hull, plank-on-frame, plank-on-bulkhead, fiberglass (glassfibre or GRP in the UK) or vacuum molded plastic hull.
Just about all model building materials you can think of has been used for model boats hull construction by now, anything from whale teeth to carbon fiber. The exotics aside, the most commonly used materials for building model boats include:
Wood
Plastic or resin
Fiberglass (GRP, polyester or epoxy)
Paper (kraftpaper, cardstock)
Half Hull Model
If building model boats from a plan for the first time, a half hull model can be a good start. Essentially, it is half of a hull split down the middle, sometimes with wheel house and stumps for masts when relevant. It is then mounted on a board and hung on the wall for display.
This type of models was originally made by yacht, boat and ship builders and designers that didn’t have the expertise to design directly on the drawing board. It became their “master” from which plans were drawn up. Herreshoff, the famous American yacht designer, apparently designed all his boats this way.
Solid or laminated hardwood is the most common material, although planked or "crow's nest models" (bulkheads and incomplete planking) happen as well. One obvious benefit is that symmetry is a non-issue!
RC Boat Hulls
Building RC boats gives the building a purpose beyond the building in itself. What sets radio controlled boat hulls apart is they have to be:
Water proofed and sealed (obviously!)
Built tough for transport and operation
Be large (buoyant) enough to house RC gear, motors, steam plant etc.
It seems model boat fiberglass hulls are gaining more and more at the expense of vacuum formed ABS hulls among kit manufacturers. You can also make them yourself. This may make the most sense if you need several hulls of the same mold. There are some vendors who specialize in making hulls only, as opposed to a complete kit. This is typically a less expensive option than getting a full blown kit.
Toy Boat Building
Building toy model boats can be as involved as you want it to be. With the goal of building a toy as opposed to a scale model can take some of the pressure off for the result to be 100% realistic and allows more "artistic" freedom.
These Marklin 40-inch steam battleships from the early 1900’s that go for $75,000 at auctions are cool. It would be fun building a model boat as a "Marklin-look-a-like" for the little guy to run on the pond.
