My Passion for Ship Modeling
Hello to all my friends in the Steemit community! In this final week of Season 34 of the challenge, I am very happy to join in, as I have a fascinating hobby that takes up a large part of my free time—whenever I happen to have any. Although my opportunities to pursue it are quite sporadic, I truly enjoy it whenever I do: ship modeling.
What is your hobby?
Ship modeling is an art—at least, that’s how I see it. It involves building scale models of various types of vessels—whether historical ships, sailboats, or modern craft. It’s not just a matter of assembling plastic or wooden parts; creating a ship model is a complex undertaking. It requires a great deal of patience—I speak from experience—as well as historical research and precise craftsmanship to faithfully replicate every detail of an actual vessel.
How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been trying to build these little ships since I was a teenager. I once started a project that was far too ambitious—I only managed to build the keel and the frames, which form the ship’s skeleton—but I never finished it. I realized that to pull off a project like that, I needed to start with something smaller and less complex to gain some experience. So, I began creating smaller pieces—sometimes for myself, sometimes for others who requested them—and that’s where I am now. I do hope to finish that big project eventually; in short, I go through phases—sometimes I dive into a project and don’t stop until it’s done, while at other times I don’t touch my tools at all. But in the back of my mind, I’m always planning to complete that major project I still have pending.
Some tools and parts for building a naval ship.
Does anyone else in your family share this same hobby?
In my immediate family, I am the only one with a passion for ships, though some relatives always enjoy watching the progress of each project on my workbench. As for the youngest members of the family—well, the girls aren't really interested, but the boys in the family circle do enjoy it and often ask me about it. I’ve tried to give them a small taste of the hobby by showing them how to sand simple pieces or how to mix paint colors. It’s an excellent way to teach them about naval history, geography, and—above all—the value of perseverance and patience; virtues that are in short supply these days, given the instant gratification offered by screens.
It is a hobby that requires a great deal of information, and books provide that.
What skills are required for this hobby?
It is, without a doubt, one of the most creative activities there is. It involves freehand painting, working with fine, small pieces of wood, calculating proportions—since everything is built to scale—hand-sewing the rigging for sailboats, and weaving ropes. It also requires knowledge of the various nautical knots used—or once used—in the past, as well as applying varnish and simulating signs of wear, rust, or the passage of time on a ship’s hull, among many other things.
I am restoring this sailboat.
How long did it take you to learn it? Are you self-taught, or did someone teach you? Did you take any courses?
Getting started in ship modeling requires a great deal of patience, a steady hand, spatial awareness, concentration, and a basic understanding of carpentry and painting. I learned all of this on my own—using books, videos, and blueprints available online. Watching tutorials—tailored to the specific model—reading specialized forums, and making mistakes on my early projects (which now serve as valuable experience) were all a huge help.
I am restoring this sailboat.
Is it an expensive hobby? How much does it cost to pursue?
As for the costs, it can be as affordable or as expensive as you choose to make it. While initial purchases can be costly, commercial starter kits—made of plastic or pressed cardboard—are often moderately priced. On the other hand, kits for historical wooden ships—featuring forged or engraved metal fittings and requiring specialized tools (precision knives, mini drills, sandpaper, clamps)—represent a significant long-term investment. However, since the process of building a single model can take months, the cost is spread out over time, making it quite manageable.
I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about this fascinating world, which connects us to the seas and to history—all from the comfort of home. Best of luck to everyone taking on this season’s challenge!
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Hello, @jorgebgt! What a great way to make the most of your free time—engaging in an art form as detailed and steeped in history as ship modeling. I find the level of patience and precision required to restore pieces or build them from scratch truly fascinating.
Reading about your experience, I’m curious: what has been the greatest challenge, or the most complicated part, you’ve encountered while building a model?
Best regards, and wishing you great success with this project!
#s34engagement
Hello. Yes, I have encountered some complications. Usually, I manage to resolve them, but when it came to the artillery cannons for these models, I wasn't sure how to proceed. I had the choice of either buying them or making them myself; buying them is expensive and would go against my personal rule of crafting everything from scratch. Since these cannons are made of metal, they require a metal lathe to produce. I tried using lead, but that presented its own set of challenges—in fact, that was the very reason I hit a roadblock while working on the large ship model, as it required over 110 cannons. Can you imagine making 110 cannons at a 1/100 scale? Anyway, I’ve figured it out now; the only thing I’m lacking is time.
I hope that answers your question. Best regards.
#s34engagement
Oh wow, this whole world of scale modeling is interesting.
Wow... I've imagined a lot of things but after reading your post, I discovered that I'm yet to even imagine these things or i haven't started. I love this as your hobby. You get to learn new things as well.
Can I ask? Is this also what you do as your main work in reality?
Thanks; it’s purely a hobby. Once, I restored a large model ship—word had gotten around that I made these—and I ended up with a large vessel, the famous Santa María, to restore. I did a great job and charged for it. I’m not sure if the price was fair, given the amount of time I invested—I didn’t spend much on materials, but I spent a huge amount of time on it—but I enjoyed the process and earned some money. I would do it again because I enjoy it; it wasn’t really about the money. I value my time highly—it’s all we truly have in life—and if we spend it on what we love most, that’s a good thing. However, I wouldn’t pursue this as a profession; most people don’t really appreciate that kind of work.
Best regards,
#s34engagement
Hola jorge, tiempo sin saber de ti y mira que manera de hacer del tiempo más valioso, los barcos son creaciones extraordinarios y cuando los veo dentro de una botella pienso en el trabajo que debe costar armarlos o en su defecto restaurarlos. Saludos
#s34engagement
#happyhobby