Small Ship Models

It seems that human nature pushes us toward besting seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In some cases, that means directly challenging the power and “will” of Mother Nature. Great aviators of the early 20th century such as Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart were forever expanding the boundaries of flight. The Vikings did the same much earlier for trans-Atlantic sailing exploration.

The Titanic is perhaps the most infamous example of mankind reaching too far too fast in its effort to overcome natural obstacles. Before the ill-fated ship struck an enormous iceberg in the north Atlantic, no one truly believed it could sink. Even when the ship was slowly slipping into the icy deep, the band continued to play music – whether out of sheer disbelief or in an effort to pacify the passengers and crew. A Titanic model ship serves as an excellent reminder that sometimes nature is too awesome a force to overcome.

Growing up near the shores of Lake Huron, I became accustomed to sailing from a young age. When I was just 7 years old, I was riding onboard my father’s catamaran when the wind shifted and the boom swung right into my midsection. I was sent sprawling into the water, and luckily my life preserver kept me afloat while my dad patiently circled back around to pick me up. I had learned a serious lesson that day, and it was the last time I was ever hit by a boom.

Now that I’m house shopping for a place of my own, it’s suddenly hit me that I’ll need to decorate the home with some nautical pieces. I found a model sailboat online that resembles my own yacht in terms of shape, design and even color scheme. It should look handsome sitting on the corner of the desk in my home office. When I look at it, I’ll undoubtedly think about all the fun to be had on sailboats in the summer.

Few actors have the range and talent to break free of Hollywood-typecasting. It is even more difficult when an actor has an obvious knack, such as a comedy or action star. Robin Williams, although renowned as a comedian, has played a wide range of characters in movies for every age group.

When I was growing up one of my favorite movies was Hook. I remember Captain Hook’s cabin with his model yachts and knickknacks, as well as the flamboyant Rufio. This movie introduced me to a fun-loving, kid-like Williams as an aging Peter Pan. Obviously I was surprised as I got older and realized that we had a vulgar, dark side to his comedy, displayed in films like Death to Smoochy. Comedians have a tendency to get put into the same roles over-and-over again, but Williams is one of the pleasant anomalies.

In the last few decades the diversity of boat models has grown exponentially. No longer is the hobby limited to old-fashioned sail boats, the kind your grandpa built in a glass bottle. Today you can find a variety of exciting models, everything from battleships to ocean liners.

Many name brand speed and recreation boat models are now available as well. Chris Craft boat models have been growing in popularity and have a wide range of recreational boat designs. There are also models from upscale manufacturers like Ferrari. Although the catalog of boat models is ever expanding, the traditional designs remain a staple of the industry.

For many children, all the education in the world isn’t enough to guarantee success. Sure, having an abundance of knowledge and degrees doesn’t hurt, but it pays to have a concrete goal. In order to spark some ambition in a growing child, he or she should be told from a young age that hard work and dedication can pay off in the form of desirable material goods.

If a young boy is given a model yacht to play with, he will naturally want to own a full-size version someday. Planting this mental seed early on will most likely ratchet up the willingness and drive it takes to make money. Model yachts can also be appreciated for their elegant craftsmanship and attention to detail, but they’re most desirable because of the wealth they connote.

They say that everybody needs a hobby, but I think the truth is a bit more complex than that. I’m so busy during the week that when Saturday rolls around, all I want to do is relax on a boat, floating leisurely down a local river. It’s not so much a hobby as an essential respite from the 9 to 5 work schedule, the dull meetings and oppressive deadlines.

It should come as no surprise that when my wife raised the idea of redecorating our spare room, I suggested a boating theme. As a history teacher, she had a special fondness and appreciation for American Indian wood art; we set about collecting as many pieces – both genuine and replica – as possible in a short span of time. I found a wooden canoe model online that complemented the new theme without overpowering the rest of the décor.

Sometimes it’s the small flourishes that make the biggest impact on a redesigned room. My family den is a case in point. Before I get too far along, let me point out that I recently moved from northern Michigan to the hot desert sands of Las Vegas because of a job opportunity. At first my family was overwhelmed by the change of lifestyle and climate. In time, however, we decided to create a reminder of those golden summer days on Lake Huron. We chose to redo the den in a nautical style.

The first thought that struck me was that we needed plenty of wooden furniture and blue colors. From there we added a few picturesque paintings and a life-sized helm to put in the corner. Still, something was missing. I went online in search of a last-minute detail that would put the design over the top, and I found it in the form of a kayak model. This model serves as a conversation piece, and it truly complements the artwork all around it.

It’s often said that everyone harbors some level of creative energy. Sometimes it just comes down to finding a suitable outlet to channel that impulse. Model shipmaking is one of the most rewarding hobbies out there because it affords a real sense of accomplishment when the task is completed. Most commonly, model ships are made of wood and they take a real commitment to craft with any real quality.

The best way to learn the art of model shipbuilding is to observe an old pro at work. Failing that, you can pick up a few existing model sailing ships and take note of the fine level of intricate detail. One of the hallmarks of a great model ship is its resemblance to the real thing, so you’ll want to focus on authenticity wherever possible. Don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes; after all, hobbies are all about deriving pleasure, not causing stress.

For many children, the mere sight of a sailboat conjures the promise of fun and adventure. Legendary tales of the high seas – either true or fabricated – have only cultivated the sailboat’s irresistible allure over time. Not every child is lucky enough to command a view of the ocean from home, but the sense of wonder can be captured forever in the form of scale model boats.

Model boats can provide an interactive history lesson, as well. Many of them are facsimiles of real historical crafts such as the Mayflower, the Titanic and the USS Constitution. These model ships can be used in conjunction with informational reading material, giving the young reader a feel for what the vessel actually looked like. They serve to remind children of the U.S. shipping industry’s illustrious past.

I recently moved to a big city in the Pacific Northwest. My home isn’t far from a canal, and I’m reminded every day just how deeply ingrained maritime culture has become in this area. Shipping industry accents are evident at every turn – they even show up in the interior décor of local pubs. Although there are plenty of ways to get around town, few provide the stunning views afforded by a ferry as it inches away from a downtown dock.

Every once in a while I like to amble along the city streets, checking out any shops that might happen to intrigue me. Recently I came across a nautical bookstore, decorated impeccably with a maritime theme. There were volumes of books dedicated to ocean expeditions, and one corner seemed to be reserved for outdated charts. A model sailing ship in the window provided the final touch, giving the little shop more culture than a dozen chain stores combined.