Sep24
The first model of an Ella sailing skiff
Matt Morello’s Ella sailing skiff model photos
Intheboatshed.net reader Matt Morello has sent me some photos of a model of the sailing version of the Ella skiff he has been working on, and once again I’m pretty chuffed.
One of my intentions with this series of designs was that they should be simple, conventional and easy to build, and that they should look ‘right’ – and although I haven’t had time to make a model myself, to me this little boat seems to fulfill my criteria.
Here are a couple of quotations from Matt’s emails:
‘Gavin,
‘Enclosed are some photos of my progress on an Ella sailing skiff model. She’s not quite done, but is close to finishing up nicely. I began it out of scrap balsa among other model boats I’ve been working on and I’m quite pleased with how she’s turning out. I can imagine that building her full-size would not be a difficult project to handle…
‘Thanks, Matt Morello, Connecticut
‘PS I wanted to let you know I enjoy your site immensely… Your site and the progress of your designs have been a source of endless entertainment, information, and encouragement for me.’
Thanks Matt – it’s a great pleasure to see and share these photos, and I’m very pleased you think intheboatshed.net is a force for good! I love the choice of background packing cases, by the way…
Seriously, I appreciate for feedback on my plans, both in relation to building and using the boats, I’m always pleased to receive photos, and grateful too for news of the adventures on which the boats sometimes take their owners.
To download the construction plans for the sailing version of the Ella skiff together with the drawings Matt has been working from, click here.
Don’t miss something good – sign up below and start receiving the weekly intheboatshed.net email newsletter!
4 Comments »Boat plans and books of plans, Boatbuilders and restorers, Free boat plans online, Modern boatbuilding, River boats, Small boats, Techniques, Uncategorized
Shawn Sep 24th 2009 at 07:05 pm 1
Man, that looks cool. I need to get started on my model. Well done to both of you, I think that is an awesome looking boat. I don’t know what ‘chuffed’ means, but I think I feel it too.
Eric Sep 25th 2009 at 09:49 am 2
fine work, and nice boxes behind the table
)
Herbert Sep 25th 2009 at 09:28 pm 3
Very nice!
makes me wonder about a couple of things.
How close will building these kind of models bring you to the actual boat? What I mean is, would this be something called a good practice when designing and building your own boat (or adapting plans from others…) to investigate or familiarise with the actual lofting and construction?
Secondly (I am merely a starting boat builder and haven’t built models other than the prefabricated plastic models as a kid
)
what kind of glue to use on models this size. I think I have an understanding of what tools to use to cut out and shape the pieces.
Keep up the good work! These kind of public projects ooze being chuffed (if Google doesn’t put this page in the top 10 links when searching for chuffed I don’t know anymore)
Gavin Atkin Sep 26th 2009 at 08:25 am 4
Building a model builds confidence in the builder and in the design. It shows how the design works, and reveals which parts of the project will be difficult and which will be easy.
I think building a model is always the best first step.
What you won’t learn is how to make joints or epoxy fillets, and you won’t find out whether you will enjoy completing a real boat build – real boats take a bit longer, need a bit more determination and require more investment in materials!
Gav