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Rainbow (J Class)614 viewsWhile "Rainbow" was an extremely beautiful boat, she was slower than the challenger. Her victory in the Cup races was a story of superior organisation and tactics. There is little doubt that Vanderbilt deserved to win. "Rainbow" occupies a justly honoured place in yachting history. Like all the American J boats, she had a short life, and was broken up in 1940. It is rumoured that there are plans afoot to build replicas of both her and "Yankee". Will we ever see "Endeavour", "Yankee", and "Rainbow" battling it out again, in a re-creation of the famous 1934 cup series? We can but hope. But you can own this lovely piece of yachting history in miniature now.
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Rainbow (J Class)596 views
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Paragon.646 viewsOccasionally I get asked to work on something really special. This west-country schooner model, "Paragon", was over one hundred and fifty years old, when I was asked to carry out a light restoration. As you can see, she is a big model. The topmasts had to be housed, to fit her into her display space. Imagine her with her full spread of sail set, including two big topsails to give her that bit of extra drive in light airs.
She is historically fascinating, and poses some really interesting questions. She was built to take part in a seven-mile offshore model sailing race, which was a local tradition on the coast of Cornwall in the nineteenth century. She won, comprehensively.
Before the year of her building, most coastal trading vessels had broad, blunt, apple-bowed lines. Afterwards, the sharper clipper lines began to develop, especially in Cornwall, which always had a name for fast clipper schooners. Did this model perhaps influence the design of the full-sized vessels? Or does she simply represent a design change which was happening at the time in any case? Dr Basil Greenhill, who wrote the standard work on the Merchant Schooners, has said he finds the model very interesting, but as a cautious researcher, felt unable to commit himself without more evidence. Probably we will never know exactly what happened in St Ives all those years ago, but I treasure the memory of working on her as one of the finest models ever to pass though my hands.
(model by local nineteenth-century builder, light restoration by John Davies)
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Nobby (detail)563 views
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Nobby650 viewsNot all display models are large and expensive. Here is a Manx Nobby. These little fishing boats were close cousins of the Morecambe Bay Prawners. Their lines are graceful and slippery, almost more like a yacht than a working fishing boat. Indeed, amny of them were converted to yachts, although the lack of headroom in that slim shallow hull could be a problem. While many working craft were tarred a utilitarian black, the nobbies were usually colourfully painted. This model captures the essence of these pretty little boats. It will make a lovely ornament, it is not at all demanding of display space, and it can be built to a very attractive price.
(model by Frank Hasted)
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Nobby581 views
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Muirneag.553 viewsHere is something really special. This highly detailed model of the Zulu type fishing vessel "Muirneag" is truly exqusite. There is no other word for it. From one side, she is a fully rigged model. From the other, she is cut away to expose every last tiny detail of the internal structure. Construction methods faithfully follow the original, to the use of wooden treenails in appropriate places. Timber from sustainable sources was used throughout. There is of course absolutely no plastic anywhere in the model.
Such perfection cannot come cheap. The hours and the effort which went into this model were enormous. But if you want something truly unique and beautiful, we can build it for you.
(model by Gordon Williams)
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Muirneag.556 views
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Muirneag.552 views
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Muirneag.556 views
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Lowestoft trawler.588 viewsThe Lowestoft sailing trawlers were large, powerful vessels. They illustrate the ultimate development of the offshore fishing vessel before the coming of steam. At least one survives today, and you can still go sailing on her, getting a taste of working life at sea in the days of sail. If you love working sailing vessels, as I do, this fine model will be a worthy embellishment to your home.
(model by John Davies)
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Lowestoft trawler.537 views
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