Kids' Model Boats

[patmat2350]

I met the couple who run Seaworthy Small Ships a couple years ago in Maryland- nice folks. They do these simple little kits which would be a great way to introduce the little ones to crafts and boats...

http://www.seaworthysmallships.com

http://www.seaworthysmallships.com/images/cricket-button.gif

[Brooks]

Seaworthy Boats are great. I have the coaster schooner (converted to a brigantine), the skipjack (converted to a sandbagger), the Tetra submarine. My friend has the Cricket sloop (I believe that is Pat's photo), the Tugboat, and a Flea (not sure entire name). I also built 4 of the pinewood simple models to loan to kids while I play with my boats. All are fun, even the simple pinewood ones. Heartily recommended :-).

[Predreadnut]

Pat, nice post. This would be great for a Cub/Boy Scout project. I personally like the looks of the Draketail. It could be modified for RC? :)

[Brooks]

I learned not to underestimate the fun of non-RC boats. If you have the right pond, ie. one you can walk all the way around, say 3-5 acres, then free sailers are quite fun. Setting a ship loose to make it's own way across the sea w/o any help is intriguing, both to the adult and the kid. One of the best days on the pond occurred when Bob let loose the 4 simple boats (2 black and 2 white) and we spent the afternoon retrieving them and setting them out again. With 4, we never got bored cause there was always one about to fetch up on the rocks :-).