June 18, 2009
Appreciating Canoes In Your Home and Beyond

If you’ve ever visited the Pacific Northwest and seen any of the Native American art, it becomes immediately clear that canoes are an integral part of the society. They were the lifeline that made fishing and other forms of livelihood possible, and as such, these canoes are often ornate, decorative, and crafted by highly skilled artisans. This type of art is also present in countries such as New Zealand, where the Maori canoes (known as wakas) were just as pivotal to their way of life.

Whether you’re a tourist or a resident in any of these areas, it’s possible to appreciate the skill and time that goes into these amazing pieces of functional art. And while it’s often not realistic to bring an entire canoe back to your home in order to appreciate the craftsmanship, many people choose to purchase canoe models. These are scale versions of canoes, and they fit easily on the shelf in your office or the nightstand in your bedroom.

History of Kayaks

Author: Capn_Ahab
June 4, 2009
History of Kayaks

A kayak can be understood as a human-powered boat with a covered deck and a cockpit where the rower sits. Sometimes, although not always, the cockpit is covered by a spraydeck or sprayskirt in order to stop water from getting on the individual in rough weather. They are generally first attributed to some of the Aleut and Eskimo hunters of North America, Greenland, and northeastern Asia. The kayak is often propelled by a double bladed paddle and steered with a rudder and pedal system.

Today, kayaks come in a huge variety of options and materials. There are light fiberglass options, and there are sturdier but heavier plastic versions as well. There are long, narrow versions with hatches to hold your gear, and these are often known as sea kayaks. They are ideal for more long distance travel. Shorter kayaks are also available without hatches, and these are known as river kayaks. They are meant to be taken down rapids and rougher waters. Whatever kind of kayaking you enjoy, you can acknowledge that passion with small scale kayak models around the home. When you can’t be out on the water, they are a great way to remind yourself of all your great kayaking memories!

Giving the Gift of Sailing

Author: Capn_Ahab
May 19, 2009
Giving the Gift of Sailing

For anyone who loves to sail, it’s usually a love that extends beyond the act of sailing itself. Rather, sailing enthusiasts are enamored with sailing more as a lifestyle than strictly as a hobby. If you know someone who is this interested in sailing, get them a gift that will remind them of the life, even when they can’t be on the water. To that end, look into the various scale model ships that are available for purchase. These exact replicas of actual ships will be particularly interesting to a sailing fanatic, who can appreciate the accuracy of the ships.

And if they are looking for a new hobby, perhaps you could even set them on the path to building their own model ships. This will be a lot more time consuming than simply displaying a ready made model ship, but it will also provide hours of entertainment for any sailor who’s interested in the mechanics of a sailboat or other sailing vessel. No matter what type of ship they’re interested in, the finished product can be displayed at the person’s home or work.

May 5, 2009
Displaying the Titanic…In Your Home

Ever since the unsinkable ship known as the Titanic was lost to the ocean, there have been people greatly interested in the legends, stories, and lore that were derived from the event. Looking at the scale of the tragedy, this makes sense, as 1,502 people were killed. And anytime there is such a colossal loss of life, there is sure to be a great deal of interest and spectacle that surrounds the event. If you know somebody that is interested in this historical event, consider investing in a Titanic model ship.

While their libraries might be filled with first hand accounts and the harrowing stories of survivors, every true Titanic enthusiast should have their own Titanic to enjoy. And that’s exactly what’s offered in these scale models. People who have studied the exact build of the ship will delight in how historically accurate these replicas can be, and they are sure to enjoy the ship in all its pre-iceberg glory. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any office desk or coffee table, and it will certainly serve as a great conversation piece in your home.

April 24, 2009

modelboatschriscraft-smallshipmodels.jpgThe art of building model ships and model boats has been around for ages. For many people, there is an undeniable draw to these scale models. Perhaps it has to do with the sense of accomplishment one feels when the model ship is finally complete. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that these model boats are sturdy enough to pass onto future generations.

Whatever draws you to these beautiful boats, there is no denying that they represent everything people look for in an ideal hobby. They are challenging, interesting, and they allow the user to improve over time. If you’re creating your first model boat, don’t feel discouraged if it’s not perfect. It will take some time before you’re an expert at this detail oriented and minute work. But the time and effort will certainly pay off in the long run, as your expertise in model boats and model ships will fill your home and life with these beautiful models.

April 10, 2009
modelshipcuttysark-smallshipmodels.jpg

If there’s anything that can help keep us sane in our hectic lives, it’s the addition of hobbies into our schedules. After work, cooking, chores, and running the family around, it can feel like there’s hardly enough hours in the day. But it’s crucial that we make time for ourselves to decompress and indulge in something that we love.Developing a hobby is the perfect way to spend this personal time. One classic hobby is building and collecting model ships. For people who are interested in this hobby, each model ship is sure to be a unique and interesting challenge.

In addition to reducing your stress, they also make fantastic decorations in your home. They will immediately add class and interest to any office, bedroom, or guest room.

April 1, 2009

sailingshipmodelsconstitution-smallshipmodels.jpgLet’s face it, art is all around us; it’s present in literature, crafting, even speech.  It’s important for children to be introduced to art when they’re young, and one fun activity that has potential to foster artistic creativity is model crafting.  While most of the time when you put together a model you’re following instructions, there is also an art to it, especially when it comes to customizing the model to make it unique.  Whether it’s sailing ship models, dinosaur models, or automobile models, this simple method of crafting can help to educate children about art and construction.

Parents, both mothers and fathers, can find model kits just about anywhere, and sharing in constructing a model with your child builds your relationship and lets them experience art.  It’s a great activity to enjoy with parent and child that doesn’t involve a television or computer screen; and that’s a welcome change!

March 18, 2009
modelsailboatscolumbia-smallshipmodels.jpg

When I was just a little boy, around seven or eight, I can remember building model boats with my dad in his garage workshop.  Dad had always fancied himself a bit of a mariner, though to my knowledge he never owned a boat larger than a canoe.  But on a lot of weekends he could be found fishing off the dock for a couple hours in the early morning before coming home.  I remember building model sailboats, yachts, and even ocean liners with my dad.  Whenever we finished a model, we would put it upstairs with the rest on a shelf he had cleared off in the dining room.

My mom was very much a traditionalist, and I don’t think she liked her rustic dining room being filled with model boats, but she tolerated it at least!  Now that I’m older I have fond memories of building models with dad, I hope when I have kids, he’s still around to share the same activity with them.

Build Your Own Model Ships

Author: Capn_Ahab
February 12, 2009
Build Your Own Model Ships

Did you know that you can actually build your own model ships? There are a growing number of model ship kits available in the market today. All you have to do is be a little more creative and patient and you’re sure to be able to create a good replica. Of course it takes so much effort to perfect the craft, regardless of your being a beginner or expert. Each ship is made with really fine details and putting the same details in your model ship won’t be so easy though it is rewarding.

But if you can’t handle the tedious job, do not falter. You can still have your own collection of model ships since a lot of them are on sale, too. Among the most popular models is the Normandie model ship, a replica of the ground-breaking Normandie ship built by the best-skilled artisans and architects from France. The sleek ship was launched in 1932 and its beauty is admired throughout the world.

Green Thumb? Try Gardening!

Author: Capn_Ahab
February 12, 2009
Green Thumb? Try Gardening!

If you are looking for a new hobby, you might consider something that’s close to your passion. If you have a green thumb, gardening might be a good activity for you. Similarly, if you are passionate about music you might want to compose songs and have recitals. But if you don’t haven’t found a field you can be good at, then you should look for something that’s pleasurable to you. Are you fond of paintings or sculptures? Try sorting out some works of art and collect the best ones.

People who have passion for ships can do the same. You can actually collect ship models. There are a lot of them nowadays; especially the ancient wooden ship models. There is a greater demand for this type since they look so elegant. Real wooden ships are made by expert shipbuilders, so you can expect the replicas to have the same quality of artistry. Collecting these model ships can not only be a good hobby for you, it can also be an enterprise. Who knows how much value the replicas will have in the future? They’re truly good investments.