Building a modelboat

In the past building a modelboat was a dream for many youngsters. In this age of computers , we experienced less interest in modelboating. But from last year on we have the idea , that the interest is growing again.

You can build a model of an existing ship or a phantasy-ship. When it is finished, you can sail with it or just put it on a shelf for display. When you want to sail with it , you can choose a sailingboat or a motorboat and you might even make it radio controlled. But when you are a beginner, don't start with a difficult boat, but start with an easier one, for instance a small motor-yacht. There are several kits for sale as from Graupner , Robbe or Billing Boats. Get some information from your local modelboat club.

If you gained some experience, you can build a more difficult boat from a kit. It is also possible to build a boat from a drawing. There are a lot of drawings or plans available, special for shipmodellers. One of the biggest plans archives in the Netherlands is from the Dutch Union of Modelers , named NVM.

The power craft

For the propulsion of a boat you can choose from different power plants.

• The cheapest one is the wind. This only applies to sailing-boats.
• The easiest one is the electric motor. Uses rechargeable batteries. Is clean and suitable for all types of scalemodels.
• The fastest one is the glowplug engine. Careful protection of boat structure against fuel is necessary. Mostly used in fibreglass speedboats.
• The most nostalgic one is the steam plant. Takes time before you can sail. Sailing time is limited. Take care of safety. Protection of boat structure against heat and "mess" is essential.

Radio Control (RC)

Most people are familiar nowadays with the idea of radio control (RC). Virtually no radio knowledge is required to operate a model succesfully. The main parts of a RC-set are :

• A transmitter - by means of the transmitter the orders are given. (starboard / port-side ; forward / backwards ; handling the sails, horn, lighting, etc.)
• A receiver - the receiver is situated in the boat and receives the orders from the transmitter.
• One or more servo's, speedregulators or winches, also in the boat, who execute the orders.

The transmitter must oparate at a frequency, special available for RC. In the Netherlands you can choose one of the more than 50 available frequencies.

Modelboat Clubs

You might think, that building a model is an individual hobby, but that is not true. The membership of a modelboat club has a lot of advantages. The more experienced modeller can help the beginner and have some tips which can prevent a lot of extra work. The organisation of clubmeetings, competitions and shows make the membership even more interesting. One of the oldest Dutch local Modelboat clubs is The Hague Modelboat Club. This club is a member of the Dutch Shipmodelbuilding Association - ANSF , to which most Dutch Modelboat Clubs are affiliated. A list of other Dutch modelboat clubs is available.

Competitions

To make competitions possible the world organisation NAVIGA has made a division into a number of classes. Modelboat Clubs and Shipmodeller Organizations organize competitions using this classification. National , European and World Championships are organized, where shipmodellers from all over the country meet eachother and exchange experience. There is a list of these competition classes available.

Magazines

There are a couple of Dutch Modelers Magazines. These are "Modelbouw aktueel (Kwiklink)" and "De Modelbouwer" .The last one is a periodical from the Dutch Union of Modelers , NVM. All these Dutch magazines cover the whole area of modelbuilding. In Germany there are two wellknown magazines special for shipmodelers: "Schiffsmodell" and "ModellWerft". The most famous magazine comes from the United Kingdom and is called "Model Boats". Other well known magazines in the US are RC Boat Modeller and Ships in Scale.

Click on magazine information for more info about these and other magazines.