Model Boat Building
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
what materials do I need to build a model boat
- Jayson (age 13)
Ashford, CT
- Jayson (age 13)
Ashford, CT
A:
Hi Jayson!
The answer to your question really depends on how detailed a model you want to make. You can make a model boat out of just about anything that floats - my brother and I used to cut pieces of styrofoam into a boat base, and stick a straw in it, with a piece of paper taped to the straw for a sail. We were very little at the time, I’d guess around 4 and 6 years old, so this is a very crude model, but they do float, and they do sail if there’s a little wind.
If you want a bit better model, I’d suggest balsa wood for the hull (you can get it at most hobby stores) - it’s lightweight and fairly easy to cut. Dowel rods can be used to constuct the masts (these can also be found at hobby stores), and the sails can be made out of cloth (something light, with a tight weave - linen works pretty well, so does canvas). Wood glue works wonders for holding the dowel rods and the balsa wood together, especially if you cut little niches so that they fit together a bit. Glue doesn’t work to well to hold the cloth on - here’s a little trick: Buy some plastic snaps (you can get these pretty much anywhere you can buy cloth). Glue one part of the snap to the wood (superglue works best, but have a parent help you with that) and sew the other half of the snap where you want the cloth to attach to the wood. Do this anywhere you want the sail on, and you’ll be able to snap it right on to the boat.
Hope these suggestions are useful!
-Sara
The answer to your question really depends on how detailed a model you want to make. You can make a model boat out of just about anything that floats - my brother and I used to cut pieces of styrofoam into a boat base, and stick a straw in it, with a piece of paper taped to the straw for a sail. We were very little at the time, I’d guess around 4 and 6 years old, so this is a very crude model, but they do float, and they do sail if there’s a little wind.
If you want a bit better model, I’d suggest balsa wood for the hull (you can get it at most hobby stores) - it’s lightweight and fairly easy to cut. Dowel rods can be used to constuct the masts (these can also be found at hobby stores), and the sails can be made out of cloth (something light, with a tight weave - linen works pretty well, so does canvas). Wood glue works wonders for holding the dowel rods and the balsa wood together, especially if you cut little niches so that they fit together a bit. Glue doesn’t work to well to hold the cloth on - here’s a little trick: Buy some plastic snaps (you can get these pretty much anywhere you can buy cloth). Glue one part of the snap to the wood (superglue works best, but have a parent help you with that) and sew the other half of the snap where you want the cloth to attach to the wood. Do this anywhere you want the sail on, and you’ll be able to snap it right on to the boat.
Hope these suggestions are useful!
-Sara
(published on 10/22/2007)