subject: Sail Into The Sunset - Build A Model Sailboat [print this page] Get over the depression of not being able to own your own sailboat by making a small model sailboat instead.
Sailing is a way for man to reconnect with nature. Spending time at sea can be a magical experience for those who love the ocean and boats. Unfortunately, few of use can afford our own sailboat and have to make do with model sailboats instead.
The most obvious answer to the question of how to build a model sailboat is to buy a kit and construct your model from that. However, the designs available are limited to what the manufacturer produces. It's possible to draft your own design for a boat and make a model sailboat of your own.
Such projects are usually made from a lightweight and durable wood such as balsa. To begin your project, shape the hull of the boat by trimming off one end of an 8 inch long balsa wood block to form a symmetrical point. Define the bottom of the boat by shaving along the bottom of the boat to form an angled shape.
With the shaping done, the hull has to be sanded smooth with sandpaper. This allows its shape to be more well-defined. The angled bottom created earlier also has to be sanded so that its edge is rounded.
The sail support mast should be located in the center of the bow. A half-inch deep hole should be drilled in that marked spot in the hull of the boat. A wooden dowel, 0.25" in diameter, is cut down to 6 inches in height and sanded so that it is smooth. This will form the mast of the ship.
To install the mast, a generous application of waterproof glue is applied to the hole that was drilled earlier into the hull. The mast is inserted into the glue-filled hole and the excess is wiped away. Allow up to 24 hours for the glue to set, and assemble the sail in the meantime.
The sail is made from canvas or similar material that is cut to make an equilateral triangle of 4 inches. The sail is attached to mast with glue on one of its edges and the material is wrapped around the mast so that its edges are hidden. The rigging is made by gluing string to the mast where the sail is attached, with the other end of the string being attached to the hull.
by: Brian Jones
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