Why do you like Model Boating?

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Like most people on here I have been into model boating for many, many years. It is a very wide ranging hobby with a  variety of specialist branches and I caught myself wondering the other day just what is the attraction that it it has for me?

 

I suppose there are a lot of things really but two stand out. One is the fascination of reproducing in miniature a vessel which has long gone in real life so you are in fact recreating the past and making it available in three dimensions to yourself and the onlooker. There is a great deal of satisfaction to be derived from that process.

 

The other is the way in which the hobby brings you into contact with people from all walks of life who share the same interest. As someone who has had a largely officed based career, I marvel at the skill levels of those who come from a more practical background. it’s a bit too late now for me to emulate them but the constant stream of hints and tips based on experience is something which enhances our own model making skills and helps all of us raise our modelling standards.

 

So, what floats your particular boat?

 

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

What is the appeal of our shared hobby?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Colin

 

I started building model boats as a child mainly because we lived on the bank of the Bridgewater canal.

I do it now to keep my mind active.

 

Paul

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

For me it was the act of creativity that started me out. I just love to solve a problem myself and get great satisfaction when the build is done. As for sailing, well most of mine, hit the water once or twice, before I move onto the next, leaving the “old” one in it’s box….

 

…..I gather from this, that I prefer the building stage to the sailing.. 

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Being able to re create those fine vessels that I used to witness as a child, steaming up and down the River Wyre, in my home town of Fleetwood.

 

I do believe that God gave me the skills that I possess to this day and it is truely the ONLY hobby that has ever satisfied me over the many years of my “growing up” and which has stayed with me.

 

And for that I am really thankfull.

 

 

 

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I like fiddling about and making things really. I make things for the lad, Castles and forts for my toy soldier collection, and boats!  Boats are great as they move along under their own power, can be sailed whenever you want (assuming you have a lake handy) and last a lomg while. Unlike cars or `planes. My collection of ,some would say, wildly differing boat subjects is the very proof of my wide interest…as applied to boating. in fact, some of them are not even boats at all!   Ashley

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

I like model boating as it seems to be more sociabell than other hobbies,in that you get out and met other modellers at the lake and the public who are always interested .

My son is into model railways and it seems always in his shed except for the odd exhibition ,which seems to me a bit antisocial.this weekend I’ve been to two regatta’s and met members from both clubs AND my wife sails too ,so its “when are we going to the lake ” as differant to “are you going to the lake again!!”

I mean to say a train is a train isn’t it, That should get a few responses hey

Can’t beat a nice big tug or coaster or rig supply ship ,the variety is endless isn’t it

 

Ducky

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Let me see…pet hate….trains or yet another tug…..hmmm tricky one…..

 

Ashley (owner of clockwork “o” gauge layout and several dozen engines, Lone*star “ooo” trains and no tugs)

 

nb  But not owner of wife who likes boating, or toy trains, come to think of it.

 

sorry,being owned by wife it meant to read

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

Well its whatever floats your boat isn’t it Ashley, What a funny world it would be if we were all the same.

 

 

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Too troo. I find persons with a very singular approach to their hobby, to the exclusion of all else are usually very boring, and lose sight of what its all about.. ie to have fun.

 

Of course I have no real objection to tugs, its not my bag particularly, but there again, who`s to say in a few years time i will not see something differently tuggy and fancy having a go at making one??

 

My Titanic is a point in question ; Some years ago  I would not have entertained a passenger type ship.

 

Ashley

[Rick DevonshireParticipant @rickdevonshire]

I started aeromodelling when in my teens and it was witn flying models that I first picked up the skills requied. Later I introduced my son to model aircraft but he decided one day to construct a boat and it was while we sailed this that I my thoughts moved over to the water. You have a good chance of returning from a days sailing with the boat intact!

 

For some years we constructed boats togther until he went away to university. Since then we have both continued the hobby and it is has proved to be a strong link between us over the years.

 

Actually I think I enjoy the construction side of it more than the sailing since when it takes to the water I have solved all the problems and my work seems to be idone.

Rick

 

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

I’m off to a railway exhibition this morning in Romiley (Stockport) where my son is displaying his “Moseley Terraces”  module and then off to Etherow Country Park for dinner and a sail of our boats !. As you say Ashley variety is the spice of life.

Ducky

[Andy BaileyParticipant @andybailey80218]

I started when my fishing career ended and at a loose end i joind a 1/10 scale car racing club but that didnt last because while buying a new set of tyres in my local model shop i notice a magazine called MODEL BOATS  you may not of heard of it but its not a bad read !

so i joined a local club bought a hull off a member and so it started , the relentless quest to make the next better than the last , i have never been involved in such a amazing hobby just when you think you have got it sussed technology moves on another step and more new toys are on the market , and the satisfaction of sailing a model you have built is so rewarding. Regards Andy 

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

I have been building model boats for thirty years. My first love is the period ship, particularly the Nelson era, but I also love building the radio controlled models too.

That said, I don’t know why as I never sail them when finished….They just get left in their cases and onto the next one I go…..

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I’m only a newcomer to model boating, having been involved since late 2003. Prior to that I was an active aeromodeller for many years, as well as being a railway modeller since the early 1960s.

I find model boating to be far more relaxing than RC flying, you can’t just stop your aircraft in mid air to have a chat. Also, if you take your eye off your boat for a few seconds, it won’t have disappeared over the horizon.

I love building almost anything, and while I enjoyed building a model aircraft and watching it fly, model boat construction from a plan gives me more satisfaction than anything else  I’ve tried.

Peter.

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