Building Half Models
The practice and pleasure of carving half-hull models.
- Mark Sutherland — July 14–20
- ERIC DOW — SEPTEMBER 22–28
Tuition: $750
Material Cost:
- $105 for Mark Sutherland’s course (one larger model).
- $126 for Eric Dow’s course (two models and one set of plans).
There are few products of woodworking as exciting to behold as a well-done half model. It reveals the character of the boat it represents at a scale that can be admired at a glance and appreciated for a lifetime. Half models are a wonderful way to remember a boat of the past or dream about one of the future.
Half-hull modeling is both a practical way to enjoy woodworking with limited time and tools, and a tangible way to grasp the intricacies of boat plans. To carve for yourself and mount a half model is to forever capture a design in three dimensions.
In both of these weeks of hands-on participation, you’ll explore the tools, techniques, and materials for half-model making from lines plans; the woods; the glues; the tools; the paints and varnishes.
Mark Sutherland’s course is geared toward the more experienced woodworker. Projects will be large half models in the 36″ to 48″ range, and students will choose between three designs taken from the works of Howard I Chappell—a fishing schooner, a coasting schooner, or a square-rigged ship. Eric Dow will have students working on two smaller half models from the collection at The WoodenBoat Store. The first part of Eric’s week will be devoted to carving one design, and the second part to carving a model of your own choosing.
Besides creating one or two models of your own, you will learn a lot about boat plans and gain a feeling for the long tradition of half-hull modeling—and go home with the ability to build more on your own.
Thanks you to WoodenBoat School for providing a great opportunity for hands-on experiences in disciplines that are not usually available to learn.
