| If you are looking for a new hobby or are a nautical | | | | Once the "bread and butter lifts of your hull have |
| enthusiast, you may consider making model sailboats. | | | | been assembled, you are ready for the roughing and |
| But how do you get started on such an endeavor? | | | | final shaping. However, do not pass over the cutting |
| Following are things to keep in mind while you | | | | of your lifts lightly. The more accurate you are in |
| research this past time. | | | | cutting them to the exact lines of your plans, the |
| Unlike most hobbies, ship model making requires few | | | | easier it will be to get the finished effect that is |
| expensive tools. Almost every household, no matter | | | | necessary if your model hull is to look real. |
| how small, harbors the beginnings of a fine model | | | | Of course, it all depends on how much time you |
| maker`s tool kit. The rest can be made, improvised | | | | want to spend making your model sailboats as to |
| and bought as the work progresses. | | | | how much detail you add. |
| Most important of all tools to the maker of ship | | | | You can get down to the smallest detail if you have |
| models is his knife. It may be anything from an | | | | the patience to do so. You can leave your model as |
| inexpensive pocketknife to a high grade wood | | | | a non working piece of art or go all the way and |
| carver`s tool. Price and handle style are unimportant | | | | make it a fully functioning model sailboat, complete |
| as long as its blade is sharp and strong and | | | | with rigging and pulleys. It is your model sailboat and |
| comfortable in your hand. | | | | you should enjoy making it. |
| Now that you have the tools, you are ready to get | | | | After you have finished construction on the model |
| started. When you have obtained the plans for your | | | | sailboat, you will want to decorate and finish it. In |
| ship model, your first job will be to construct the hull. | | | | applying the decorations and finishing touches to a |
| If your model is to be a replica of the original, its hull, | | | | model, the craftsman should be guided by the type, |
| above all things, must be carefully shaped according | | | | nationality and period of the ship. If your plans do not |
| to the accurate hull lines given in the drawings. To do | | | | give the exact coloring, look up a historical description |
| this in the quickest and easiest way, you must follow | | | | of the vessel. |
| some standard method of procedure. | | | | To obtain a weathered effect on the sails, they can |
| Simplest of all standard methods of model hull | | | | be dipped in coffee or tea or they can be painted or |
| construction is the "bread and butter method of lifts. | | | | sprayed with a thin stain or lacquer. On models of |
| This particular method gets its name from the fact | | | | very old ships, some model makers feel that it gives |
| that lifts of wood, cut approximately to the various | | | | the rigging a touch of realism to slit the mainsail and |
| horizontal sections of the hull, are placed one on top | | | | neatly "repair the damage with a needle and thread. |
| of the other and glued together. When first | | | | Such forms of decoration must be subtle, however, |
| assembled, the side of a glued up "bread and butter | | | | or they will ruin the entire effect of the model. |
| hull resembles a series of narrow steps. | | | | |