Most model boat sailors, who, having seen a Schooner Model sailing, will have thought - -" How nice to have a model that looks and sails like the real thing". Not that hard to do, here I will describe the method I used to build a 1/20th Scale model of the Schooner Bluenose.
Seven feet long, masts around six feet high and tipping the scales at 75 lbs, she is a very big boat. This method can be used to produce a boat much smaller than this if required, the technique only will be explained, sizes can be adjusted to suit any particular boat being built by the reader.
My main objective was a fibre - glass Hull, but I did NOT like the idea of first making a Plug to make a female mould from, then making a Hull from the Mould.
I have made Glider fuselages by the same method, very hard work and only one item is made at the end, not a good idea, if that one item is the only one ever to be made from the Mould.
The method I will describe will enable the builder to sail the MOULD!, so saving many, many hours of work.
The Club was formed in 1978, when several model boaters, who used the marine lake at Southport, thought it would be a good idea.
Here we are 30 years later and going from strength to strength.
We meet on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
In 2003 we moved to a new purpose built pond - "Jubilee Pond" - - it was built during the Clubs Silver Jubilee.
We have a great sailing pond with a member's car park and toilet facility.
We share the area with Southport Model Engineers Club; they have an existing clubhouse and raised track loop for steam engines. As part of the new development a new track bed has been added alongside the pond and looping around at the head of the area and returning to their clubhouse.
The pond is open for public use as the Club felt that it should be available to everyone, not just SMBC members.
We do ask any visitors to use our frequency peg system for everyone's safety, if you intend to use steam power you need a current boiler test certificate (we can help with this).
Electric and steam models are operated; however IC engines are not permitted.
I thought I should write a little note and give some details about Fleetwood Model Boat Club, I visit here quite often, and have entered a few competitions, but mostly its just a great place to visit and sail
A Brief History of Fleetwood Model Yacht & Power Boat Club
The club evolved from a group of model yachtsmen who sailed their boats on a piece of water near the shore known locally as 'The Navvied Pond".
The Fleetwood Model Yacht & Power Boat Club was formed in 1929 and the lake, as we know it today, was officially opened by Earl Bettie of "Jutland" fame in 1932, at which time we had 100 members and a nice wooden clubhouse in which members could store their boats.
In the same year the club held its first National Championship for '6 Metre model Yachts.
