My interest in model sailing ships goes back to when I was about eight years old.  I found myself drawn

to the brightly colored boxes of the Revell plastic kits - ' U.S.S. Constitution ' and ' H.M.S. Bounty '.  At the time, I couldn't afford the price of about $4, but I would spend what seems like hours, looking at the pictures on the boxes.

 

Over the years, I built all kinds of plastic models, including a couple of sailing ships, but the plastic ones, 

even when painted and carefully detailed, just didn't satisfy my fascination with some of the exquisite

 wooden ship models I had seen.  A couple of wooden  kits I had the opportunity to inspect, were pricey

 for me at the time  ( several hundred dollars ), and didn't look like much more than a box of sticks ..

 

In the early 90's, I had a nice work area in my garage, and decided to take the plunge .  For my first kit

I chose the Mamoli ' Rattlesnake ', and reconfirmed my earlier assessment of ' a box of sticks ' ...

The plans were pretty comprehensive regarding how things should look, but not much help with how to

get there.  Follow the link on the left, to the ' Rattlesnake ' page, for information about the contents of the

kit.

 

I spent the next several months spending more time acquiring tools and books ( and studying the latter

in great detail ) than actually building the model.  On the left, there is a link  to a list of my favorite books

that I find helpful with my modeling.  I also have documented techniques and tools I have come up with

on my own, and  garnered from my research in books as well as the internet ship modeling communities

I frequent.  I also provide links to those sites.

 

 My progress with building this model was really slowed for a couple of years, as Iwelcomed my son

into the world and spent most of my spare time with him .

 

The results are what you see at the ' Rattlesnake ' link on the left.  I must admit it is rather magnificent

when viewed from about ten feet away.  Up close, is another story .  I am all too aware of the lessons

learned, as I built this first ship. I suppose I am most pleased with the rigging line, which I made with

my rope walk.  I have yet to see any kit-supplied cordage that I would use on a model, now that I have

experiencedthe superior quality to be had with making your own rope .  Please compare for yourself,

by looking at my rope-making link on the left.

 

My current project is the Blue Shadow, and I plan to start another Rattlesnake in the near future.

 

My goal with my ship modeling, besides the pleasure I take in doing the work, is to produce an art piece,

rather than a historically accurate model of what was a real ship.  Those who do pursue ship modeling 

with the former as a goal, might find much to criticize with my work, and rightly so .  That said, I hope

others will find some of the pleasure in viewing my work , that I found in creating it.

 

Please email me with any questions or comments you may have about my work ..