Explore our current model boat projects and discover what makes them stand out:
Ring Of Light
The "Ring of Light" project typically exemplifies the pure quality of a bygone era of the 'Golden 30s' when boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads experienced a boom in demand. New highly attractive, low wash designs, honouring protection of the riverbanks and associated wildlife, of which Ring Of Lights' designer and builder 'Herbert Woods' was famous for, arrived, capturing the essence of classic boat design.
This series of photos shows the general phases of our model 'Rings' construction, and we will continue to add to the slideshow as we progress this lady's construction.
We found a set of drawings that are readily available by mail order purchase, through 'Brown, Son & Ferguson', based in Glasgow, UK. These drawings were originally licensed through Herbert Woods exclusively for model boat construction of a fun working model, powered by an electric motor and self steering (no radio control back then), drawn up by Bernard Reeve, feature with a rather nice construction article in the book 'Scale Model Ships Their Engines & Construction' by Bernard Reeve & PW Thomas, and are an excellent starting point for any budding model maker of this classic motor cruiser. Whilst we have the original 'Woods' plans to our disposal, we thought it would be good to test out the set of drawings available online.
We found the drawings to be somewhat basic in resemblance of the original design, with some redesign needed to faithfully represent the original. We therefore decided to honour the design, and take up the challenge of redrawing her keel, deck sheer, transom, rudder, portlight positions, stemhead and main cabin outer bulkhead profile.
It was fun drafting up new lines plans to fit in with those produced by Bernard Reeve, and we can now faithfully state 'Ring' is coming along nicely in 1:16 scale form as a working model. Ring will be showcased with all the detail we can possibly place into her.
We have carefully designed 'Ring' to have access to full remote control use of her Engine, steering and cabin lighting.
Being a classic craft of popular design, we decided to reproduce a number of the fittings through a silicone rubber moulding process, which can be used for other models of the same scale.
As we continue to make progress on 'Ring', further photos will be added to this slideshow. Pop back and enjoy the finishing sequence at your leisure.
Yare And Bure One Design Sailing Dinghy
Designed by Ernest Woods in 1908, for a competition by Yare and Bure sailing club, which wanted to establish a 'One Design' class. The aim was to remove all differences between boats other than the skill of the helm, to limit costly development and disagreements over sailing handicaps.
Ernest Woods built 69 boats, and on his death his nephew, Herbert Woods became the class boatbuilder. Herbert built a further 24 boats, until the price of building in wood became prohibitive.
In more recent times, a mould was taken of an Ernest Woods boat to allow GRP hulls to be built, as all the YBODs have been constructed since No.94.
The set of drawings we have of the original by Ernest Woods design, drawn up in 1908, along with drawings from Herbert Woods, are now dusted off, to which we have scaled to 1:16, which should produce a very pretty 15" L.O.D. static model.
We have not yet decided upon a name for this model, which will be likely named during the final stages of her build.
As we continue to make progress, construction photos will be added to this slideshow. Pop back and enjoy the build sequence at your leisure.
Interpretating Lines Plans and Photos
We pride ourselves on our ability to overcome challenges to create beautiful model boats. One of the biggest challenges is gaining accurate line plans and photos from the past. To overcome this, we immerse ourselves in research, studying historical documents, ensuring every detail possible is bang on correct. In the absence of gaining drawings, we take measurements from the original craft, out of the water, or from scaled photos, and draw up our own scaled down lines plans and fittings drawings. A particular photo within this Archive shows our life long hero of Norfolk Broads Yacht, Cruiser and Dinghy innovative design and builds, Herbert Woods, at his drawing board, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, photo by kind permission and copyright 'Jennifer Woods'.
Discover Our Favourite Boat Styles
We've had the pleasure of working on various boat types, but some truly stand out. Here are a few of our favourites:
Pre and Post War Norfolk Broads Cabin Cruisers and Yachts
Our hearts lie with the pre and post-war famous hire fleet Norfolk Broads Cabin Cruisers, Yachts and Dinghies. In particular, we adore Herbert Wood's Light Class fleet of the 30s, the Hunters yard fleet of the Lustre, Hustler, and Wood classes of yachts, Martham Boat's 'Japonica' class yacht, and the Iconic Yare And Bure One Design Sailing Dinghies.
Advice for Aspiring Model Boat Builders
Research the original meticulously! Use accurate line plans, drawings, and photographs to guide your build. Measure twice, cut once!.