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Agnes1012 viewsHere she is in about 5-7 knots of breeze, in which she can happily carry everything, including a big topsail. She moves well, and has one of those lovely hulls that slips through the water without disturbing it much. She handles remarkably like a full-sized gaff cutter, and I can say that as someone whom once lived aboard one and cruised her extensively.
(Built by Mike Mayhew of Waverley Models, rigging modified by John Davies, featured in "Marine Modelling" March 2011)
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Agnes1072 viewsThis is the same wonderful model of a pilot cutter that is featured in the "Pre-Owned" section. Sometimes a model comes back. The gentleman I sold her to said she was quite splendid, but not the right model for him. So I bought her back in. This time, she is staying. She is a beautiful boat, and I am having so much fun sailing her. But I could build one like her for you.
(Built by Mike Mayhew of Waverley Models, rigging modified by John Davies, featured in "Marine Modelling" March 2011)
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America646 viewsThe first race also initiated a tradition which has bedeviled Cup races to this day. There has seldom been an Americas Cup series which was not spoiled by controversy and accusations of deliberate bending of the rules. To this day, the lawyers can be as important as the sailors. There is still controversy about "America"s victory in 1851. Did she sail the proper course? Was she unduly favoured by rule changes designed to allow her to compete? What might have happened if the foremost British yacht had not broken her bowsprit?
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America681 viewsThis historic race began all the trouble about the Americas Cup, which still rumbles on today. Indeed, it has become yachting's premier trophy. The Cup has never come back to Britain, although the Australians and New Zealanders have both won it from the Americans.
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America679 viewsThe schooner "America" was built by a syndicate of new England yachtsmen as a business proposition, to collect some of the prize money available in yacht racing, and to win wagers. She succeeded handsomely. In 1851, she trounced the finest yachts sailing in British waters, in a race around the Isle of Wight. Queen Victoria was most ungracious about it. When told the American yacht had won, she grumped "very well, who is second?". She was not amused to be told "madam, there is no second".
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America (detail)685 viewsIt is, however, indisputable that she was a most beautiful yacht, low, sleek and graceful. We built this magnificent replica for a client who was in love with the original vessel. She is finished and fitted out in fine timber on the basis of a specially commissioned short-run GRP hull. (We can do this for you too if you like; pick your prototype and we can get it mastered and moulded to a high standard at a most competitive rate). She makes a beautiful display piece, well detailed and elegant. On a gentle sort of day, she also has a most pleasing performance on the water. Overall, she is one of the loveliest things we have built.
(model by John Davies)
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Anna743 viewsThis steam launch model was modified from the basic kit, according to our client's instructions, to provide improved access, fuel pre-heat, and improved engine contol. She exemplifies the creative teamwork that our bespoke service offers, between the client's specifications and our craftsman's service.
This particular client owns a number of steam launch models, ranging from the small and pretty, as here, to the large and magnificent. He says that while he greatly enjoys the sight of a big and spectacular model on the pond, he probably gets the most fun from this little boat, because she is so easy to carry, and such a simple pleasure to sail.
(model by John Davies)
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ASR 102995 viewsAir Sea Rescue Launch 102 is preserved in full running order by Power Boat Restorations, at Hythe, on the Solent. She makes a lovely prototype for a scale launch.
The model is not too big, elaborate or expensive, but she carries a satisfying level of detail, and has a lively performance. She is a good model to take to the water on impulse, and blast around until the batteries run out.
These boats are of great historic interest. They were the first high-speed planing vessels designed to operate in the open sea. Previously, planing boats had been confined to inshore racing courses, and "fast" offshore rescue craft had been exemplified by the RNLI's "Sir William Hillary", a displacement type boat with a top speed of seventeen knots. In contrast, these ASRs would make forty knots. Every fast motor yacht, and all of the modern breed of lifeboat, owe a design debt to these launches.
This model was featured in "Marine Modelling" magazine, April 1999, and is now in the famous Childe Beale collection.
(model by John Davies)
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Blue narrowboat981 viewsWe built two narrowboats, for a gentleman whose garden is given over to a large and splendid live-steam narrow-gauge system.
Visitors on open days say they make a marvellous sight, gliding silently along the cut, while the little trains chuff along the quays, and passing the two without mishap is as interesting as in a real canal.
Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTcQzjB1K8
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Clan Ross Cargo Liner (detail)807 views(Model by John Davies)
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Clan Ross cargo liner.1266 viewsA magnificent model, well over four feet long, lovely lines, great areas of individually-laid planked deck, intricate rig, and looks absolutely stunning on the water. How I regret not taking the camera along to her trials. A heavy model to launch, of course, and not especially manoevarable. She does best what the real ships did; cruises happily forever on remarkably little power. But what a magnificent picture she makes afloat. Such lovely ships have gone from the world's oceans. Would you like to commission your own miniature?
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Clyde Puffer1291 viewsI know from personal experience just what sort of weather the Minch can kick up, and just how rapidly a perfectly sunny day can turn into a mass of low, grey, wind-driven clouds and flying spray. Add to this the delights of working cargo on an open beach, with no harbour faciltites, digging down through a hold full of coal and using the ship's own derrick to load it into carts which had driven out to the ship at low tide, working hard to shift as much cargo as possible before the tide came up again, and you will see that the life was not an easy one.
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