Hi Simon. Not built one of these kits before, BUTI would recommend that you get the one you like, rather than what i or anyone else would recommend.

If you are buying simply on what someone else thinks, I would say you are building for the wrong reason!

Generally speaking any boat will handle some waves if it is sealed up against flooding, and provided it is not top heavy. To this end, if you decide on a particular boat, then you can ask questions regarding the craft in question ie sealing it up and is it top heavy.

I know it is contentious, but a boat in rough weather needs some power, so anything you build needs a bit of oomph to compensate for lack of rudder steering in a gale.

Ashley

(usual disclaimer, my own personal view; this post does not represent the view of the publishers, forum manager or indeed Paul T)

Aziz has a very low freeboard and a couple of openings in the bulwarks which can allow water onto the large rear deck if there's a decent chop on the lake. It also has twin motors. Maggie M and Our Lass are not so prone to choppy waters and are both single screw. That said, don't build something unless you really fancy seeing it through; although they are excellent value none of these is cheap.

Dave M

Being another "beginner", can I ask how 'big' the waves are going to be where you sail ?

These kits are in no way 'cheap' (I've bought a Billings that has been built but had serious hull planking problems, since rectified) plus a few missing bits (on the way), but I know it will be fine on our lake, which is inland within a park & not subject to too much in the way of extreme conditions, it's also different to the usual collection of tugs & MTB's that seem to dominate within our club & is a personal choice due to my work connections with such vessels.

Even as a beginner, I would reiterate the advice above, build for yourself, not on the choice of others. If your choice is 'personal', you're more inclined to put your heart & mind FULLY into the build, resulting in (hopefully) an outstanding contribution to the model boat world & huge self satisfaction.

Hi Simon, the boat I'm rescuing is the Billings 'Nordkap' a trawler, so I'm modelling in the same sort of preference as yourself.

Would love the 'Maggie M' myself, but sadly it's out of my price bracket at the moment.

Please let us know what you decide on, build updates are also most welcome when you get to that point.

Model Slipway kits are far more substantial than Deans' – which tend to be to much smaller scales and therefore need lighter hulls etc. Either of the trawlers will make light work of the sort of waters you describe – they are heavy when ballasted up correctly. After all, the real things can cope with Force 11 gales! I can only echo Colin's statement about MS being helpful – Jackie is a rare modelling treasure.
Dave M