How to Build Model Wood Boats

Wood modeling allows for the creation of attractive wood models--and the study of the principles of boat design. Building model wood boats makes for an excellent teaching tool in a wood shop class, as children are instructed in the basics of boat design, and how boats remain afloat and what allows a boat to more efficiently cut through the water, and are then challenged to design their own boats. The model boat is a craft for beginners, requiring no advanced power tools, making it ideal for an introductory class.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Graph paper
• Card stock
• Crafting knife
• Scotch tape
• Balsa wood sheets
• Wood glue, fast drying

Instructions

The Card Stock Test

1. Sketch out the design of the boat on graph paper. Sketch a side view, a front view and a top view of the boat, using the graph paper to ensure that the sides are to scale. Include support braces every 2 to 3 inches along the length of the boat. A support brace is a piece of body that goes inside the boat in the shape of the boat at that point along the boat's length. These braces are used for extra surface area to glue the walls of the boat to. A simple boat can be designed with only a floor, a back, two sides, supports and a rudder.

2. Draw the pieces of the boat on the card stock.

3. Cut out the pieces of card stock, using a crafting knife.

4. Secure the pieces together using cellophane tape to test your design. Constructing a card stock model is not a requirement, but it allows you to test your design and tweak it before committing to the wood, which is more difficult to work with, making it less suited for altering. It is best to have your final shape from card stock before progressing.

Constructing the Wood Model

1. Disassemble the final card stock model, and trace the card stock pieces onto the balsa wood sheets. If you did not construct a card stock model, draw your shapes on the balsa based on the designs.

2. Cut out the balsa wood sheets, using the crafting knife.

3. Glue the front ends of the side pieces together, holding them in place at an angle that simulates the front of the ship until the glue dries.

4. Glue the back end of the boat, as well as all of the support pieces, to the top of the floor of the boat one at a time. Each piece should attach perpendicularly to the floor of the boat, and be held in place until dry.

5. Apply glue along the outer edges of the floor, supports and back of the boat, then wrap the sides of the boat around the boat and hold in position until the glue dries.

6. Sand the boat for a smooth finish to prevent splintering.

7. Attach the rudder to the underside of the boat, along the center line, with wood glue, and hold in place until dry.

References

• Simplicity Boats: Model Making