Please forgive me what might seem a bit of self-puffery – but I just love it when people build my little boats, even when they’re models for kids to play with in the shower.
João Pereira’s model of an Ella skiff certainly charmed me, and the Lego people are just about to scale too!
Here’s what he wrote:
Hello Mr Atkin!
I’ve recently come across the intheboatshed web site looking for boat plans and I was surprised by the amount of information available.
The idea of allowing someone to make a model before the real boat was very good.
I tried to build mine entirely with 4mm ply but it didn’t work. The sides didn’t bend easily so I used card-board from a milk carton for the sides and bottom. The frames, deck and gunwales are 4mm ply.
My kids play with it in the shower often because it is glued with Araldite, painted and varnished. I think it is a good test to check for defects and durability.
Best regards from Portugal,
João Pereira
Thanks João! That’s not a bad way to start kids with boats. I hope you go on to build the real thing. If you do, please keep in close touch so that I can help make sure it’s as successful as the bath toy…
