Anyone know about (antique) model boats?

dgadee

dgadee

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Oct 2010
Messages
4,692
Visit site
This was given to me and I'm not sure what to do with it. Restore it or put it on a shelf? Was it perhaps made from a common design? Mast is just a pole about 4 foot from deck. Boat is exactly 1 meter long. Lead keel. Gaff rig? Or what?

boat.jpg

boat2.jpg
 
I'm no expert but the hull form is very reminiscent of a typical pilot cutter (or possibly a traditional fishing boat?) which would have been gaff-rigged.

If it were mine, I wouldn't restore it, unless you you really want to (and can find as close as approximation to how the original model would have been). I personally think in its current 'hulk' form it speaks volumes about its history as a working model, and an unknown life afterwards...

It has what's known in the antiques world as a patina and any restoration would necessarily destroy that. It would fit nicely as it is on a window-board or mantle-piece, and you can spend many happy years imagining its story...

If you do want to find out more, then a google of "antique pond yachts: uk" brought up:
https://www.pondyachtantiques.co.uk/

And/or see this for working drawings from Luke Powell's site (he builds traditional pilot cutters!):
https://workingsail.co.uk/product-category/shop/page/2

Screen Shot 2019-11-21 at 16.52.16.png
 
Yes, not sure what to do - once you've restored you'll never get it back to its present condition. My late wife filled our house with antiques and while my new partner is much keener on boats than antiques I can't see her agreeing to it filling a mantlepiece. She says, 'restore'. She might just want it to look new. Maybe it's destined for my study 'as is'.

It does look very much like a pilot cutter, but I thought it would have been 36" in length. I wondered if it has been a French model at 1 meter. No idea of its history.
 
Caer Urfa said:
There will be a local model boat club near you wherever you live so take it along and I am sure they will advise all you want to know
Click to expand...

It came from a local model yacht club. Old boys who no longer race full size. No interest in anything which isn't competitive and 1 meter class.
 
dgadee said:
...my new partner is much keener on boats than antiques I can't see her agreeing to it filling a mantlepiece. She says, 'restore'. She might just want it to look new. Maybe it's destined for my study 'as is'.

It does look very much like a pilot cutter, but I thought it would have been 36" in length. I wondered if it has been a French model at 1 meter. No idea of its history.
Click to expand...

A new partner who is "keen on boats"... then quit while you're very well ahead!! :)

Seems like your study then: think of her as an old lady with stories to tell.

Would still be worth contacting that dealer/restorer for a bit of background - just send them your photos and ask if they can help - and do let us know if you find anything out.

dgadee said:
...Old boys who no longer race full size. No interest in anything which isn't competitive and 1 meter class.
Click to expand...

Now there's a surprise! ;)
 
There is a Vintage Model Yacht Association who will surely help, picked up the item below from their website. Personally I would make it complete and rigged but NOT restored. There are loads and loads of non functioning model yachts being churned out of a factory somewhere and it would end up looking just like one of them.

Bristol Channel pilot Cutter comes to mind.

see this:

http://www.vmyg.org.uk/pages/gallery/restorations/paxton_l.htm
 
It's a yacht, and yachts should be sailed. I'd cover the bare wood patches with matt varnish and then treat it as a classic rebuild, which might include carbon tiller, spars and plastic sails. If water washes some of the patina off, so be it.

I'm doing the same with my Father's childhood pond yacht where only the hull and mainmast survive.
 
Looks close to a Falmouth Working Boat - if that should be the case I expect owners of those would pay a mint for it, but I'd either keep as is, or as is with proportionate gaff rig.
 
Sailing model. Not sure whether it would have had a braine gear (think that's what it's called). I am rubbish at photography so dificult to get good snaps. There's a goodly bit of lead weight along the keel foot.
 
Whereabouts in the country did it turn up? as this may have some bearing on what it did. For example quite similar model boats were raced on the boating lake at Southwold & still are today, loosely called Yawls they were wildly different in shape & design.
Model yachts were also raced on some of the paddling pools along the Southend seafront, I have a model sailing cutter that was given to me back in the 70's it was restored to full sailing condition. Today i would have left it as is. Your model is far more desirable left as it is, if it has a rig do the bare minimum to put it together but do not strip & repaint as this will destroy its value.
 
Keith 66 said:
Whereabouts in the country did it turn up? as this may have some bearing on what it did. For example quite similar model boats were raced on the boating lake at Southwold & still are today, loosely called Yawls they were wildly different in shape & design.
Model yachts were also raced on some of the paddling pools along the Southend seafront, I have a model sailing cutter that was given to me back in the 70's it was restored to full sailing condition. Today i would have left it as is. Your model is far more desirable left as it is, if it has a rig do the bare minimum to put it together but do not strip & repaint as this will destroy its value.
Click to expand...

Northern Ireland. Will try to get more details but suspect info is lost in the mists of time. I, too, like it as is.
 
Russell Potts from the Vintage model Yacht Group thinks it might be Victorian and handicapped under the '1730' rule: http://www.vmyg.org.uk/pages/history/rules/tonnage rules.htm

Model seems to be 38.5" on marked waterline, 7.25" widest beam, and 11.5kg in weight.

The modellers over in Belfast are using 3d printing to produce racing hulls now. If I had access to a local 3d scanner I would get them to make a copy.
 
We race the Southwold Yawls at Woodbridge and occasionally at Southwold. They are all the same although some are wooden like my old one and the modern ones are fibreglass. They have one design hulls masts and rigs although no restriction on weight.
They do race various free sailing boats at Southwold and these indeed are varied.
 
BobPrell said:
The proportions look more like a plank-on-edge racing yacht of victorian times.

see https://intheboatshed.net/2007/09/1...ten-plank-on-edge-racing-sailing-yacht-lines/

Falmouth working boats look a bit more sensible for people who have to make a living on the water.
Click to expand...

The byelaw requiring a bit of oyster snaffling in winter is very much like going through the motions like an MOT.

You clearly haven't been on racing Falmouth Working Boats, I was lucky enough to get a crew slot - " put up another jib, pass me a pastie and beer " --- ' They'll have you Skip for a third jib n' topsail " ---- " F*** " Em !

At every tack when we met another Working Boat both crews would shout ' Hurra ! '.

These guys know how to drive a proper sailing boat very hard indeed...:encouragement:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/268410573530355/
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

M
Adding radar - on pole or arch?
2 3 4
Replies
74
Views
2K
Marsali_1
M
P
Essential pre purchase or even pre survey checks
2
Replies
28
Views
902
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top