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From the time of the American Revolution until about 1850, the sailing ships of the United States were first designed entirely with half-hull models. These models were constructed by shipwrights as a means of planning the ship’s design and sheer. This model was an exact scale replica of the ship’s hull. From this model the shipwright was able to enlarge the lines and built a full size symmetrical hull. Gradually, it became the practice to draw ship plans first on paper, superseding the use of half-models except as a building aid. Today, many boat owners will have a half-hull model carved after their boat has been built.
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Set a course to our workshop and build these classic half-hull models. You will use patterns made from the boats plan to layout and cut all the basswood parts. These parts will be glued together and when dry, the hull profile will be shaped and sanded. After finishing your hull with paint or clear shellac, you will make and finish the back board. Upon completion, the model will be mounted to the back board and a brass plate identifying the vessel and date will be installed.
 PictureNoank Sloop
Noank Sloop  
Saturday & Sunday
July 18th & July 19th
8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.                        
​Tuition: $225
Materials: $50                                
Click on the photo to register.
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​The Noank Sloop is typical of the working sloops that were once built in Noank, Connecticut, and other towns along the Long Island Sound shores, and in Narragansett Bay. These sloops were intended for tonging and dredging oysters, lobstering, and line fishing. 
​Length 18”,  Scale: ¾”=1'
PictureHerreshoff 12-1/2
Herreshoff 12-1/2  
Saturday & Sunday
Oct. 3rd & Oct. 4th
8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.                        
​Tuition: $225
Materials: $50                                
Click on the photo to register.
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​Captain Nathanael Green Herreshoff designed the 12 and a half footer in 1914 for yachtsmen who wanted a training sailboat for their children that would handle the strong wind and steep chop of Buzzards Bay. He built what he called the "Buzzard's Bay Boy's Boat" in his shop in Bristol Bay, Rhode Island. It  has been in continuous production since, and is nearly universally acclaimed as one of the finest small boats of all time.
Length 16”,  Scale: 1”=1'
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PictureConnecticut River Shad Boat
Connecticut River Shad Boat
Coming Soon!
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​​The Connecticut River Shad or Drag Boat was used on the lower Connecticut River, in the shad fishery, and in other fisheries along the Connecticut shore.  
​Length 18”, Scale: 1”=1'
PictureCrosby Inspired Cape Cod Catboat
Cape Cod Catboat                      
​Coming Soon!    
​​​The Cape Cod Catboat first appeared in the 1880's in Buzzard's Bay along the south shore of Cape Cod. Having a cat rig and a broad beam, these powerful work-boats often had a "barn door" outboard rudder that is now considered typical of the Cape cat. The noted Crosby family, of Osterville on Cape Cod, were the leading builders of catboats. 
Coming Soon!
​​Length 18”, Scale: 7/8"=1’.
PictureNew Haven Sharpie
New Haven Sharpie​ 
​Coming Soon!                                          
​​​The New Haven Sharpie seems to have begun its climb to popularity in the fisheries at New Haven, Connecticut in the 1870’s.  It was primarily an oyster-tonging boat developed in hull and rig for this work.  
Length 15”, Scale: 3/4"=1’.
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