First you want good instructions. Most intermediate and all expert level kits assume you already know many of the techniques needed to complete a kit. Added to this there are certain European manufacturers such as Mamoli that use terms that we in North America are not accustomed to. Try to avoid obscure ships. The more famous the boat like the Bluenose, the more information available that will help you with the construction.For the model itself, choose something with an easy hull to build like a schooner. Bending the initial layer of wood can be difficult. Also look for a reasonable amount of rigging on the ship including rat lines. Too much rigging can be overwhelming but you do want to practice.Make sure you read the instructions thoroughly. Many of the parts listed on the parts sheets inside the model ship kit have to be fabricated by you the builder.
As far as tools are concerned, keep it simple. Basic tools are square, miter box and saw set, hobby knife, sandpaper, and glue. Look around your house for scissors, tweezers, clothes pins for clamps etc.
Our recommendation for beginners is the schooner Bluenose by Artesania Latina. Our kit comes with a DVD on how to build wooden model ships. This is an excellent place to start. Challenging but not frustrating. The staff of Cast Your Anchor is always happy to help you get started and motivate you to finish. Check us out at http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com/ or our nautical gift shop at http://www.castyouranchor.ca/
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Model Boat Kits for Children
Childrens Model Boat Kits
Cast Your Anchor has selected a few children’s model boat kits that are fun and rewarding to build. We suggest starting with rowboats, sailboats or canoes that are built using the bread and butter technique. A second option is to choose wooden ship models that snap together. Both of these ship model kits are ideal for the younger set and a great activity for larger groups at an event like a Birthday Party.
After mastering either of the above techniques, we suggest going to simple solid hull boats like the Titanic or Pirate ship or even a boat in a bottle kit. After this stage you are ready to move to the tall ships that require a bit more modeling skill. Our particular ship model kits come complete with glue, sandpaper and paint. If you’re a teen looking for a bit more of a challenge try one of Cast Your Anchor’s novice solid hull kits.
We also offer packages like the Bluenose wooden ship model kit that include all of the tools the young model builder will need. These kits can also be considered an interactive children’s toy or toy model.
Let us introduce your child to the joys of model ship building! Cast Your Anchor is pleased to offer free workshops for up to 15 children at once in order to build any of our children’s model ship kits. Please contact the store for details.
About Cast Your Anchor
Cast Your Anchor is a one-of-a-kind hobby facility focused on ship modeling. In addition to carrying the largest inventory of ship model kits, ship modeling tools and ship model fittings in North America. We have experienced technicians to help answer any questions related to static or radio control model building.
For further information:
Wray Hodgson
Cast Your Anchor Inc.
416-686-8529
990 Kingston Road
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ship Model Hobby http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com
Nautical Gifts http://www.castyouranchor.ca
Cast Your Anchor has selected a few children’s model boat kits that are fun and rewarding to build. We suggest starting with rowboats, sailboats or canoes that are built using the bread and butter technique. A second option is to choose wooden ship models that snap together. Both of these ship model kits are ideal for the younger set and a great activity for larger groups at an event like a Birthday Party.
After mastering either of the above techniques, we suggest going to simple solid hull boats like the Titanic or Pirate ship or even a boat in a bottle kit. After this stage you are ready to move to the tall ships that require a bit more modeling skill. Our particular ship model kits come complete with glue, sandpaper and paint. If you’re a teen looking for a bit more of a challenge try one of Cast Your Anchor’s novice solid hull kits.
We also offer packages like the Bluenose wooden ship model kit that include all of the tools the young model builder will need. These kits can also be considered an interactive children’s toy or toy model.
Let us introduce your child to the joys of model ship building! Cast Your Anchor is pleased to offer free workshops for up to 15 children at once in order to build any of our children’s model ship kits. Please contact the store for details.
About Cast Your Anchor
Cast Your Anchor is a one-of-a-kind hobby facility focused on ship modeling. In addition to carrying the largest inventory of ship model kits, ship modeling tools and ship model fittings in North America. We have experienced technicians to help answer any questions related to static or radio control model building.
For further information:
Wray Hodgson
Cast Your Anchor Inc.
416-686-8529
990 Kingston Road
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ship Model Hobby http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com
Nautical Gifts http://www.castyouranchor.ca
Monday, June 09, 2008
Bluenose
Bluenose
Cast Your Anchor is the Bluenose II ship model specialist! We offer a number of different scales of the Bluenose I and II wooden ship model kits and even a plastic ship model kit. We carry Bluenose modeling books, drawings, posters, hats, and actual Bluenose II hull pieces and spikes.
The staff of Cast Your Anchor and the students in our workshops have built many of the wooden model kits and know this particular ship kit intimately. We are able to help the modeler with any questions concerning this famous Canadian schooner.
Designed by William Roué and built by Smith and Rhuland as a cod-fishing schooner and a racing ship, in response to the defeat of the Nova Scotian Fishing Schooner Delawana by the Gloucester Fishing Schooner Esperanto in 1920, the Bluenose was launched at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia on March 26, 1921. The race was sponsored by the Halifax Herald newspaper. After a season fishing on the Grand Banks, the Bluenose sailboat defeated Elsie (out of Gloucester, Massachusetts), returning the trophy to Nova Scotia. During the next 17 years of racing, no challenger, American or Canadian, could wrest the International Fishermen’s Trophy from her. Fishing schooners became obsolete after World War II, and despite efforts to keep her in Nova Scotia, the undefeated Bluenose was sold to work as a freighter in the West Indies. She foundered on a Haitian reef on January 28, 1946. Her daughter, Bluenose II, was launched at Lunenburg on July 24, 1963, built to the original plans by many of the same workers.
Cast Your Anchor is the Bluenose II ship model specialist! We offer a number of different scales of the Bluenose I and II wooden ship model kits and even a plastic ship model kit. We carry Bluenose modeling books, drawings, posters, hats, and actual Bluenose II hull pieces and spikes.
The staff of Cast Your Anchor and the students in our workshops have built many of the wooden model kits and know this particular ship kit intimately. We are able to help the modeler with any questions concerning this famous Canadian schooner.
Designed by William Roué and built by Smith and Rhuland as a cod-fishing schooner and a racing ship, in response to the defeat of the Nova Scotian Fishing Schooner Delawana by the Gloucester Fishing Schooner Esperanto in 1920, the Bluenose was launched at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia on March 26, 1921. The race was sponsored by the Halifax Herald newspaper. After a season fishing on the Grand Banks, the Bluenose sailboat defeated Elsie (out of Gloucester, Massachusetts), returning the trophy to Nova Scotia. During the next 17 years of racing, no challenger, American or Canadian, could wrest the International Fishermen’s Trophy from her. Fishing schooners became obsolete after World War II, and despite efforts to keep her in Nova Scotia, the undefeated Bluenose was sold to work as a freighter in the West Indies. She foundered on a Haitian reef on January 28, 1946. Her daughter, Bluenose II, was launched at Lunenburg on July 24, 1963, built to the original plans by many of the same workers.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Radio Control Sailboats
R/C Sailboats
R/C sailboats, like all R/C models, come in varying degrees of completeness. You may want to enjoy the hobby by building a radio control model from a kit, or you may just want to get sailing as soon as possible with an ARS (Almost Ready To Sail) or a RTS (Ready To Sail) boat. An ARS model will be 90% finished with a few details left for you to add over the course of a couple of evenings and you will need to buy separately and install the radio control gear. An RTS boat is usually only a case of connecting and rigging the mast and main sail, and away you go!
The standard ARS or RTS model will be 2-channel, the transmitter is the traditional stick type rather than the modern pistol grip style because there is no need for a throttle control with this level of R/C model.
One servo controls rudder movement while a second servo controls both sails together. It’s normal on R/C sailboats for a winch servo to be used for the control of the sails, rather than a standard servo. Winch servos are more powerful and have more movement offering greater control and flexibility. A standard servo is usually fine for the smaller sailboats. Models that are longer than 20 inches will likely require the more powerful winch servo because when the sails are filled with wind they require a much stronger force to pull them round. You may also find that you need to upgrade to a stronger winch servo if you are sailing your model in stronger winds than the recommended wind speed (model manufacturers determine wind speed capability).
R/C Sailboats are a completely different game to Nitro or Electric powered R/C boats. You will not need field equipment items and no one will ever object to you sailing your model in a public place because just as in real life, sailing is quieter than power boating.
We are here to help you enjoy the sport of radio controlled model sailing. Whether you are just starting out, or an old salt, you will find great information at Cast Your Anchor, all designed to help you enjoy this booming sport. Please contact us at www.castyouranchorhobby.com with any questions you may have -- we love to provide answers!
R/C sailboats, like all R/C models, come in varying degrees of completeness. You may want to enjoy the hobby by building a radio control model from a kit, or you may just want to get sailing as soon as possible with an ARS (Almost Ready To Sail) or a RTS (Ready To Sail) boat. An ARS model will be 90% finished with a few details left for you to add over the course of a couple of evenings and you will need to buy separately and install the radio control gear. An RTS boat is usually only a case of connecting and rigging the mast and main sail, and away you go!
The standard ARS or RTS model will be 2-channel, the transmitter is the traditional stick type rather than the modern pistol grip style because there is no need for a throttle control with this level of R/C model.
One servo controls rudder movement while a second servo controls both sails together. It’s normal on R/C sailboats for a winch servo to be used for the control of the sails, rather than a standard servo. Winch servos are more powerful and have more movement offering greater control and flexibility. A standard servo is usually fine for the smaller sailboats. Models that are longer than 20 inches will likely require the more powerful winch servo because when the sails are filled with wind they require a much stronger force to pull them round. You may also find that you need to upgrade to a stronger winch servo if you are sailing your model in stronger winds than the recommended wind speed (model manufacturers determine wind speed capability).
R/C Sailboats are a completely different game to Nitro or Electric powered R/C boats. You will not need field equipment items and no one will ever object to you sailing your model in a public place because just as in real life, sailing is quieter than power boating.
We are here to help you enjoy the sport of radio controlled model sailing. Whether you are just starting out, or an old salt, you will find great information at Cast Your Anchor, all designed to help you enjoy this booming sport. Please contact us at www.castyouranchorhobby.com with any questions you may have -- we love to provide answers!
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