Men's Gifts
Model Ship Half Hulls
Half models were originally created to develop hull forms which would eventually become full sized ships. This was in the early days of the evolution of wooden boat and ship building, before the advent of the naval architect. I became interested in them when it came time for me to sell my own boat “Fianna” which I had built and owned for twenty five years. I did the research and executed her half model.
A few weeks later I showed it to a friend who owns a gallery here on the Big Island and he offered to buy it for his store. I then made another which my friend again bought, and resold. I finally ended up keeping number six and doing a bit of a business in half models. I am closing in on number 400 after 12 years
Having enjoyed and learned a great deal doing “Fianna” I turned my attention to other vessels which had caught my eye over the years, and for which I could get the lines drawings. The result is the collection of half models you see represented here. I don’t keep these as a stock item so if you are interested give me a shout and we will work up a time frame for delivery.
Materials used in the Half Models
The variety of woods that I have found work in successful combinations for the Half-hulls are: Koa above the waterline, Wenge (black) for the waterline, and Saligna (a beautiful light red) for the hulls below the waterline. The backing plates are made of vertical grain Douglas Fir (blonde).
All the half-hulls I make come with papers that include lines drawings, a brief history of the vessel, the woods used in the model, and a brief history of the evolution of half-hulls.
Half-hulls Currently Available
- America- schooner, circa 1851, America’s Cup (23”)
- Bagheera- Alden schooner, Nautical Heritage Society (18”)
- Bluenose- Banks schooner (23”)
- Californian – Topsail schooner, Nautical Heritage Society (23”)
- Charles W. Morgan – Whaler, Mystic Seaport (18”)
- Chasseur – Ship’s boat, “Pride of Baltimore ll” (13”)
- Coronet -Luxury racing schooner; International Yacht Restoration Society (23”)
- Emma C. Berry – Fishing smack, Mystic Seaport (14”)
- Estella A.- Friendship Sloop, Mystic Seaport (14”)
- Falls of Clyde- Bark, Hawaii Maritime Museum (23”)
- H.M.S. Bounty- Ship, Captain Bligh (23”)
- Joseph Conrad – Ship, Mystic Seaport (23”)
- L.A. Dunton- Banks schooner, Mystic Seaport (18”)
- Launch- H.M.S. Bounty (13”)
- Lurline – Brigantine, Matson Line (23”)
- Poulsbo Boat- small powered fish boat, Puget Sound (13”)
- Pride of Baltimore ll- Topsail schooner, City of Baltimore (23”)
- Shamrock V- J-Class, America’s Cup contender (23”)
- Virginia – Q-Boat, 1900’s racing yacht (23”)
Lengths in inches refer to hull length. The backing plates are, on average, 5 1/2” longer and 1-2” taller than the hulls. Lifts are glued with epoxy. The hulls and backing plates are finished with a very durable laquer applied in multiple coats, sanded and rubbed out with 0000 steel wool and waxed. Each boat is individually constructed, sculpted and finished by hand.
Starting $280.00
