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New member from Florida

P

palbrecht

Joined
Jul 23, 2026
Messages
4
Points
3
Hello, I just joined. I am currently working on the Model Shipways 3 ship build series. I have read in the posts that many of you have started that way, I am glad to hear that. I am looking ahead for my next ship kit to build, watching sales or deals. My question is that the models don't have any rating as to whether are beginneer, intermediate, expert etc. I am potential looking at the Mamoli HMS Beagle, HMS Swift or Halifax. Also Model Shipways rattlesnake. Possibly a Corel kit (but they seem to be bigger ships and not sure about that). I am an experienced crafter and woodworker and think I would like an intermediate kit. Not sure if there is a good place to look for ratings or not.

Anyway I have always wanted to build wooden ship models and now that I am retired glad to be able to do it. Look forward to reading more posts and learning from all of you. Thank you.
 
A warm welcome to SoS. There are a lot of choices for your next project after the three boat series which are really a good way to start. For the next step rather than the ones you mention maybe consider a high quality kit instead like HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne 1763 from Vanguard which they list as a kit for the novice builder. It is price competitive. A big plus is that there are the contemporary plans available as a reference as well. The contemporary drawings used to be free in low res on RMG Collections but not showing right now. IF you decide to go that route I would be happy to email you the drawings which I saved when they were more readily available.
Allan
 
Hello and welcome from another Floridian. You have definitely come to the right place. Everyone here is friendly and very willing to provide support, input and suggestions. Looking forward to seeing some of your work
 
I would also look at Bluejacket, an American manufacturer and seller of wooden ship model kits. They have selections other than the usual hackneyed subjects, and unlike some of kits that I won’t name, try for historical accuracy. They rate their kits for difficulty. Al Ross who I believe owns the company often posts here on SOS.

I personally have no connection with the company.

Roger
 
Welcome to the SoS forums !
What part of FL are you in?
I'm in the Crystal River region about 50 miles north of Tampa.
I know there are active clubs in the Naples/Venice area and another that meets in the Tampa Bay area, plus a very small group that meets in the Ocala area. :)
 
AllanKP69 said:
A warm welcome to SoS. There are a lot of choices for your next project after the three boat series which are really a good way to start. For the next step rather than the ones you mention maybe consider a high quality kit instead like HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne 1763 from Vanguard which they list as a kit for the novice builder. It is price competitive. A big plus is that there are the contemporary plans available as a reference as well. The contemporary drawings used to be free in low res on RMG Collections but not showing right now. IF you decide to go that route I would be happy to email you the drawings which I saved when they were more readily available.
Allan
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Thanks for the suggestion. That looks like a beatiful ship. You do say it is a high qaulity kit. Does that mean that the Mamoli or Model Shipways are not of the best quality or that they don't have comtemporary plans? But I think your suggestion looks extremely promising. Thank you once again.
 
Welcome. In terms of a next build have you considered a solid hull kit such as Model Shipways Sultana? It's an often-overlooked kit that involves using and developing model shipbuilding skills.
 
In your place, but with a long background, I would:
Complete the set of three intro kits before buying a next project.
Decide what I want to be about in all this.
Serious history
Tourist tasting every aspect.
Prehistoric hollowed logs to nuclear powered steel is too broad a field for one lifetime. Having a specific narrow focus is one answer to a way to manage.
Kits as the whole of it? or as a gateway?
Is this going to be about just assembly? Is this going to be about developing advanced mini focused wood manipulation ans simulation of past practices?
Buy a tool on spec is often wasteful. - waiting until there is a defined need and then buying the highest affordable quality unless it being disposable does not matter.
Wooden kits are sunk cost - in no way an investment. A sale is a trap. A pile of un-started kits will not keep you in the game.
At least with plastic, injection molds have a finite job span. Wooden kits are trees and paper and PDF. Real scarcity is an illusion.

As an aside: those who do buy an old kit and find the wood brittle and warped or splits easily are deluding themselves if they blame TIME for the condition of the wood. The wood was junk before the tree was even cut down. It was just lower in cost and had a desired color.

If you are a "corp" without any restraint on budget and are the only vote on the board - restraint is not necessary.

In the past, wooden ship model kits were a way to get raw stock materials and plans - before polystyrene even existed.
Polystyrene kits have had a major effect on wooden kit development and what is the expectation in materials level of development and what the instructions involve. For a little more time - experience with a plastic kit will prove to be more of a source of unrealistic expectations than any real help for any skills but painting. Given the current direction, soon wooden kits will require little more skill than that needed for plastic - all assembly - zero fabrication.

Ships and shipbuilding - The most complex tech of its particular time. Just woodworking is not enough. There is a new language to learn. It is a complex puzzle and a challenge well worth the time, effort, and dedication. But - for this level - kits are only a stone in the stream crossing.

Being a lot less subtle than Allan, about Mamoli - it would serve you to follow as many build logs as you have the patience. Pay attention to what is not being said.

For a new kit builder - there is wading thru the swamp. There is also wading thru the swamp on a trail that does not go to where you think you are going, and has you wearing barberry branches next to your skin and a ball and chain on one ankle. Be berry, berry careful - skill with advertising copy and writing a seductive illusion is usually inversely related to actual product quality.
 
palbrecht said:
Thanks for the suggestion. That looks like a beatiful ship. You do say it is a high qaulity kit. Does that mean that the Mamoli or Model Shipways are not of the best quality or that they don't have comtemporary plans? But I think your suggestion looks extremely promising. Thank you once again.
Click to expand...
Palbrecht - This is my opinion since I've never built a Vanguard kit, but their reputation is among the better/best kit manufacturers out there. On SoS, I've heard members say that their instructions are clear, their laser-cut parts are well done, and there are many photographs and aids to help the novice builder. That being said, I have built kits from Mamoli (Statenjaght, Mayflower) and Model Shipways (Sea Bright Dory, Maine Peapod Lobster Smack) and I would say that both companies are very, very good and perhaps slightly below Vanguard kits. They both have good instructions, great components and provide good customer service. I have a lower opinion about Corel and an even lower opinion of Artesania Latina (I will never build an Artesania Latina kit again...no instructions or drawings...just YouTube videos of the build process). BTW, the armed cutter Sherbourne 1763 looks like a great build from Vanguard -- clean lines, good scale for a beginner, and a beautiful standing rigging that looks great even without sails. However, be careful of cheap asian internet kits of ships called "Halcon" or "Halcyon" which appear to be knock-offs of the Sherbourne and armed cutters like her. There is a lot of intellectual property theft and pirated products on the internet and, frankly, at pennies on the dollar cheaper than a Vanguard kit, many people get sucked into builds of pirated material that takes hard-earned money away from the "real" ship model designers.
 
Ignatius27 said:
Palbrecht - This is my opinion since I've never built a Vanguard kit, but their reputation is among the better/best kit manufacturers out there. On SoS, I've heard members say that their instructions are clear, their laser-cut parts are well done, and there are many photographs and aids to help the novice builder. That being said, I have built kits from Mamoli (Statenjaght, Mayflower) and Model Shipways (Sea Bright Dory, Maine Peapod Lobster Smack) and I would say that both companies are very, very good and perhaps slightly below Vanguard kits. They both have good instructions, great components and provide good customer service. I have a lower opinion about Corel and an even lower opinion of Artesania Latina (I will never build an Artesania Latina kit again...no instructions or drawings...just YouTube videos of the build process). BTW, the armed cutter Sherbourne 1763 looks like a great build from Vanguard -- clean lines, good scale for a beginner, and a beautiful standing rigging that looks great even without sails. However, be careful of cheap asian internet kits of ships called "Halcon" or "Halcyon" which appear to be knock-offs of the Sherbourne and armed cutters like her. There is a lot of intellectual property theft and pirated products on the internet and, frankly, at pennies on the dollar cheaper than a Vanguard kit, many people get sucked into builds of pirated material that takes hard-earned money away from the "real" ship model designers.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your opinion. This is extremely helpful and informative. I am not looking to buy the cheapest kit out there so I would always stay clear of any knock off brands. I am just trying to find my way with what are good quality and something that would not be over my head. Your info addresses all of that. The Sherbourne 1763 ship looks beatiful and definetly will be a big conseideration. Thanks again.
 
Corsair said:
Welcome to the SoS forums !
What part of FL are you in?
I'm in the Crystal River region about 50 miles north of Tampa.
I know there are active clubs in the Naples/Venice area and another that meets in the Tampa Bay area, plus a very small group that meets in the Ocala area. :)
Click to expand...
HI I am on the other coast near West Palm. So not that close.
 
palbrecht said:
Does that mean that the Mamoli or Model Shipways are not of the best quality
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Not my place to say but if you ask members to compare things like instructions, quality of materials, and accuracy, I am sure you will get honest feedback. There are several other manufactureres that are of the highest quality but I am not sure if they offer kits that are well suited for most beginners .
Allan
 
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