Ship Model Books

Ship Model Books


Although there are a number of ship model books available in the market place if you can find them, there are a few that are the most helpful with this hobby. Cast Your Anchor is a new and innovative hobby store located in Toronto Ontario Canada. It is Canada’s only hobby store specializing in the art of ship model building. We have summarized three of the best books that we recommend to our clients.


The Ship Model Builders Assistant by Charles G. Davis is one of the best general books on this hobby. This was the first of three books written by Charles Davis. “ Indispensable for the serious model builder, this book offers hobbyists a true understanding of the masting, rigging, and most important fittings of the American clipper ships and packet ships of the Great Age of Sail. It also represents a treasury of important information for the naval and social historians, sailing enthusiast and students of Americana. Enhanced with over 270 clear, detailed drawings of ships’ components, this volume gives the model builder a deep understanding of the workings of a fully rigged and appointed sailing ship.”


Ship Modeling Simplified by Frank Mastini is a wonderfully detailed book on ship model construction. This book is based on the great Canadian schooner Bluenose but the information and described techniques of model building easily carry over to any ship model you are considering to build. “ Here is the advise you need for a trouble free start in an exciting hobby”. This book addresses choosing the right kit for your abilities, how to decipher complicated plans, setting up an efficient workbench and buying the right tools, painting, decorating and displaying your finished model. There are very clear pictures and illustrations of everything from planking to rigging.


The Art of Rigging by George Biddlecombe. “This book was originally compiled for the use of students in a Naval Academy and it is believed by modern experts to be the best manual ever produced on rigging the sailing ship. At the present time there is a constant demand from builders of ship models for a good handbook on rigging – comprehensive as to details and yet simple to understand. “


In addition to these types of books on ship model construction, you can also find books with specific information concerning the model you are building. As an example, Saga of the Great Fishing Schooners, Measured Drawing by L. B. Jenson offers details of the schooner Bluenose that can help you add more realism to you model. In addition to this book, there is a DVD call Take the Helm that gives an excellent visual interpretation of building this model. The point is that every kit has some detail of the original vessel. You can add detail to make you model very unique and once you are finished your model, you can rightly call yourself a scratch builder.

Reference library: Cast your Anchor is building a reference library that is for the use of our customers. It is professionally catalogued and will be expanded as time goes on. In addition to the modeling books we carry in the store, our library includes reference materials related to specific ship models.

Cast Your Anchor has the ability to obtain out of print or hard to get books.

Today’s hobby stores must be technically competent, killer customer service oriented and willing to listen intently to their customers. Check out Cast Your Anchor.

August 2008 Newsletter

August 2008 Newsletter



What’s New at Cast Your Anchor?



Distress Centre Month: Cast Your Anchor is pleased to promote the Toronto Distress Centers during the month of August. If you need to talk to someone they are there to listen Call 416-408-4357. If you would like to spend some rewarding time on the phones also contact them for volunteer opportunities.

Enough of the Rain Event: OK …. at least we don’t have to shovel it….yet!
Come on in to the store and receive a free gift on your purchase of any static kit over $200.00. Cast Your Anchor is happy to at least keep your head dry.

Teachers Specials: Cast Your Anchor has a line of products that can be used by teachers to talk about naval history using hands on models. Enquire at Cast Your Anchor.

Web Site: Please visit our new website at www.castyouranchorhobby.com. This website is soley directed toward our hobby with some very useful information and a wide variety of products. There is even a section for scratch builders. Can you hear that fog horn?

Fall Events: Cast Your Anchor will be participating in the Kingston Road Village Fall Festival and the Christmas Parade. More details to follow

SEE YOU AT THE STORE