Creating Interest in Model Boats

[BattoParticipant @batto]

Anywaaay back on topic – I was recently sailing my live-steam boat on the purpose-built boating lake in a large popular park in Aberdeen and although it was during the half-term holiday and the park was full of kids around the adjacent swing-park not one child came to ask about, or even look at, the model. In fact, in the couple of hours I was there, only one older gentleman showed any interest. It seems to me that the modern generation have no interest in 'making things' and this, of course, means that they will not develop 'hand skills' which in turn makes for problems when they enter the world of work. This doesn't just mean manual labour and using spanners and screwdrivers there was a piece in the BBC news where a professor of surgery (a Mr Kneebone ) was complaining that although his surgery students were very intelligent and knowledgeable they were good at 'screen flicking' but very poor at cutting accurately (gawd!) and sewing up neatly (patients looking like Frankenstein!) this he blamed on a lack of practical subjects in schools. (I still remember the pain of being whacked across the knuckles with a piece of wood in woodwork class) Anyway the way things are going I guess, as a great man once said, "We're aww doomed ah tell ye dooomed!" so maybe it won't matter.

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I agree with Batto, practical hobbies will probably soon all be gone in just a few years, and it is pretty much like "flogging a dead horse" to get anyone interested in anything practical these days.

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I agree you can't force people to be interested in things but one thing that should not happen is discouragement by clubs and individuals of people who express an interest at the pondside and which doesn't seem to be so unusual.

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

It is obviously wrong to discourage anyone who shows interest. The only time I went to a lake was when I took a radio controlled three-masted schooner to Lytham. There were only a few there, but they showed considerable interest and gave me a lot of advice, such as I needed a bigger rudder. Quite enjoyed it, but somehow, I never managed to get there again, but I was still at sea at the time, so generally had other things to do on leave.

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

This is a large radio controlled steamer that I built some time ago – the SS Mandalay. Although I completed it, I never got round to sailing it, and gave it away. As far as I know, the person I gave it to never sailed it either!

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 03/11/2018 14:39:49

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

This debate about encouraging younger modellers is fairly pointless as the next generation of modellers are the 40-60 year old age group who will have done the family stuff and will be looking to a hobby for the future. I don't think the future should be viewed with pessimism there are still plenty of modellers, some like myself life long builder of most disciplines planes, boats,trains I just love the wide variety of subjects to me made

Regards Ray

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

You're right there Ray. I'm a case in point, got interested about 3 years ago when I was 62 and looking for a winter hobby, especially for when I retire. Thanks to a neighbour for getting me going.

Did a little modelling when young but not much. Before being 62 I was interested in other things, well still am, motor cycling etc. and would never have had the inclination or time for model boat building. It's been my DIY experience that has helped with model building rather than the other way round. You don't need to build models first to gain life skills.

Folks like you Ray, who have modelled all their life are a pretty rare breed in the scheme of things.

Chris

 

Edited By Chris Fellows on 03/11/2018 21:45:41

[S MParticipant @sm83187]

One question has not been asked, "what are we competing against" and commerce is the answer as most youngsters are already indictrinated into buying the latest "in vogue" item abd they would rather go to a fast food outlet for instant (plastic) food and then sit in their cars showing off to others. Commerce leads the way by producing something "en masse" very cheaply to maintain high profits, they do a huge production run and try to create the next fad or trend for profit and when it is sold out they move onto the next trend.

Modelling is the polar opposite in that it takes time and varying levels of skill to produce them, no instant gratification and no buying something ready to go for basically peanuts, and it takes many man hours to get something correct and can give many hours of pleasure; current medical advice is also that it is a relaxing hobby and good for you.

Apathy is also a great problem as many youngsters want something (bling) to show off with, they may have the latest phone, sound system in their cars, or currently on trend computer, but do they know how they work? no, they don't care how it works, merely that they have it; when it breaks they will pay for it to be repaired, if it is scrap they will pay to have it replaced, instant apathy.

Ignite a youngsters imagination and they become interested, show them how something works and they will try it, and show them that they can actually achieve something and they will often try it.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

As with same question raised a number of times on different forums there is no easy answer or probably any answer at all. This thread like those is going nowhere and I think should be closed now.

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