- Joined
- Jan 29, 2026
- Messages
- 19
- Points
- 48
Howdy from Central Texas! Finally getting around to introducing myself - thank you for having me!
Like so many others, I grew up building models - mostly plastic war planes, cars and rockets but also Revell's USS Constitution. I was so proud of that ship, then later devastated when a younger, unsupervised cousin decided Old Ironsides should be able to fly. (I think my Mom was even angrier than her son).
Fast forward decades to about 15 years ago and something gave me the wooden ship model itch and I started building Artesania Latina's Clara May English Ketch but eventually shelved it. I remember being a bit intimidated and some life changes at the time contributed to me ending that brief journey. But, it's still patiently waiting for me.
Quite recently, my return to modeling happened in an unexpected and crazy way. Last Fall, I took a long road trip out west to see many of our national parks, where I purchased and built several mini lego-type models from park gift shops. They were fun builds and led to several more mini block builds and then larger Lego models (being from Houston, I'm especially fond of the space series). At some point, shopping online for another Lego set no doubt, I tripped across Model Shipway's Shipwright Series kit and "things turned quickly".
After enjoying the build experience of the first two boats from that kit, I was already itching to build bigger and I quickly went bonkers! I now own almost two dozen ship (mostly) and plane kits from Model Shipways, Occre, Corel and Midwest, some/most of which may never be built....though I do have choices!
I chose Model Shipway's 1921 Bluenose Schooner as my first "big build" and I'm roughly half done after about 3 months of most evenings and weekends. Although I'm deep into it, I do plan to start a build log and look forward to the collective SOS expertise to help me bring it home. The two Shipwright builds served as a good launch point but the Bluenose has really upped my skills by the repetition and yes, through lots of mistakes. I've enjoyed every minute and think I've become a planking guy - I find it very therapeutic.
My humble skills now allow me to look at the Clara May and think "I got this".
One last note. Unlike so many here, I do not have a deep history with boats either personally or through military service (and thank you to all who have served!). I did, however, grow up on the Texas Gulf Coast and my family spent decades of weekends and vacations at our family beachouse in Bolivar/Crystal Beach, TX. To get to our house from the Houston area, the most direct route was via the car ferry service between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. Those ferry trips serve as strong memories and I hope to scratch build one of them someday, once I can find some reasonable plans or detailed photos. Have any of you built a ferry model?
Anyway, thanks for allowing my long-winded introduction and I look forward to running into many of you soon!
Very best,
Bill
Like so many others, I grew up building models - mostly plastic war planes, cars and rockets but also Revell's USS Constitution. I was so proud of that ship, then later devastated when a younger, unsupervised cousin decided Old Ironsides should be able to fly. (I think my Mom was even angrier than her son).
Fast forward decades to about 15 years ago and something gave me the wooden ship model itch and I started building Artesania Latina's Clara May English Ketch but eventually shelved it. I remember being a bit intimidated and some life changes at the time contributed to me ending that brief journey. But, it's still patiently waiting for me.
Quite recently, my return to modeling happened in an unexpected and crazy way. Last Fall, I took a long road trip out west to see many of our national parks, where I purchased and built several mini lego-type models from park gift shops. They were fun builds and led to several more mini block builds and then larger Lego models (being from Houston, I'm especially fond of the space series). At some point, shopping online for another Lego set no doubt, I tripped across Model Shipway's Shipwright Series kit and "things turned quickly".
After enjoying the build experience of the first two boats from that kit, I was already itching to build bigger and I quickly went bonkers! I now own almost two dozen ship (mostly) and plane kits from Model Shipways, Occre, Corel and Midwest, some/most of which may never be built....though I do have choices!
I chose Model Shipway's 1921 Bluenose Schooner as my first "big build" and I'm roughly half done after about 3 months of most evenings and weekends. Although I'm deep into it, I do plan to start a build log and look forward to the collective SOS expertise to help me bring it home. The two Shipwright builds served as a good launch point but the Bluenose has really upped my skills by the repetition and yes, through lots of mistakes. I've enjoyed every minute and think I've become a planking guy - I find it very therapeutic.
My humble skills now allow me to look at the Clara May and think "I got this".One last note. Unlike so many here, I do not have a deep history with boats either personally or through military service (and thank you to all who have served!). I did, however, grow up on the Texas Gulf Coast and my family spent decades of weekends and vacations at our family beachouse in Bolivar/Crystal Beach, TX. To get to our house from the Houston area, the most direct route was via the car ferry service between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. Those ferry trips serve as strong memories and I hope to scratch build one of them someday, once I can find some reasonable plans or detailed photos. Have any of you built a ferry model?
Anyway, thanks for allowing my long-winded introduction and I look forward to running into many of you soon!
Very best,
Bill
Last edited:
I do tend to dive deep into my hobbies but still thought i had exposed an especially obsessive side of me when I realized how much I had accumulated in such a short time! Ha! You and I took a very similar park path (loved Zion!) and I'm glad you were able to see the North Rim Lodge - what a sad turn of events that was. I have several park mini-block sets in my queue and I'll have to check out Atom Bricks (or not! LOL). Thank you for the kind words and I look forward to seeing your Lobster Smack (to which I'll return someday).
) and several kits were bought together to take advantage of an aggressive sale. However, much of my "collecting" is my typical MO on new endeavors. Just ask my wife. 
