Canadian Yachting October 2021 - 34

BUILDING MODEL BOATS IS TRULY A
LABOUR OF LOVE
Back in the late 1970s I became interested in building model
transport trucks from kits - an extension of my working in the
industry as a diesel mechanic as well as a transport driver
with a Class 1 license who also drove transports during some
vacation time.
When I retired in April 1999, we moved into the family home
in Halifax. While working in the workshop, I came across a
library of old magazines my father had kept. In the pile, I
found a magazine on building 23 types of boats including
instructions on building a 15-foot International Snipe Class
sailboat. With a scale of one-inch to the foot, it was a great
    
I had owned a Snipe, which I raced for several years out of
the Armdale Yacht Club in Halifax. Later I raced the boat in
the National Snipe Championships off of North Sydney, Nova
            
the top 10.
I started from scratch to build the jig for the hull and proceeded
as per the instructions and, over the winter months,
it took shape. I sawed the lumber for the hull and deck, and
made the spar, boom, tiller handle and rudder.
         
My daughter made the sails from scale patterns I sent to her
to do.
While I was building this model, I became aware of the Maritime
Ship Modelers Guild that met at the Maritime Museum. I
went to a meeting and joined that evening. I remain a member,
- BY NORMAN RAINE, HALIFAX POWER AND SAIL SQUADRON
having served as president for several years. There is a lot of
talent amongst guild members and all are willing to share
their knowledge with anyone who is interested in building
model boats of any type.
After the Snipe project, I became interested in building boats
that I was familiar with, having done a fair number of marine
engine installations during my working career. The guild had
plans for a 45-foot Cape Islander boat with the scale of a 1/2
inch to the foot, so off I started again. Over the next couple of
            
vessel with a dory, which I built to scale on the stern.
I was always interested in Rosborough pleasure boats and got
to know Kevin Rosborough, the son of the designer. I spoke to
him regarding plans for one of their designs. There were no
plans available but I was able to get the dimensions of the
boat and subsequently developed a set of plans to build the
           
could have some fun running it around the water. It turned
out well and looks just like a Rosborough 24' 6 " .
During the Halifax International Boat Show, I met up with
Giles Theriault, a grandson of A.F. Theriault who founded A.
F. Theriault & Son in the Digby, Nova Scotia area. I had put
        
built. I asked about a particular one and if the plans might be
around. He went home, found them and provided the plans,
           
½ inch to the foot scale.
34 CANADIAN YACHTING | OCTOBER 2021

Canadian Yachting October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting October 2021