Help decide next project for Syren Ship Model Company

[Nirvana]

The Dutch Boeier is certainly an unusual model that I would like to build.

I would certain like to see more European style in your inventory. Maybe early 20th century.

[Dan Vadas]

I voted for Pegasus, but I wouldn't buy it because I've already scratch-built it (or one very close anyway - HMS Vulture's Cross-section ). I reckon you'd have a winner with this one.

 

A question (forgive me if you've already answered it) - will the Frames be in separate built-up pieces using Chocks, or one/two piece?

 

  Danny

[Chuck]

Chocks and all.   

I have since refined this design concept even further.  But you get the idea.  A few guys from my club came to my shop and I put them to work testing out the concept by having them build up several frames each.  Mike was one of them.  I would guess that within a couple of hours they collectively built 15 - 20 frames.....while we talked about the process and I was given even more great feedback.   I have since built an entire frame with chocks in about 10 minutes with no need to build it on top of a plan sheet.  They come out a perfect match to the plan every time.  I set my goal to develop a design where someone could be able to fully frame a cross section in just a day or two this way.

 

I am thankful for the guys who helped me with this.  If I remember correctly this was a Speedwell frame used for the testing.  Thank You Greg and David

[Rustyj]

I agree with Dirk and want all three too.

 

That said the Pegasus is beautiful and would buy it in a heart beat

but I chose the Chebacco as it is fun to do something a little different.

 

No matter which one you choose I think you'll have a winner.

[gjdale]

There appears to be only one solution Chuck - you must clone yourself and bring all three to market as soon as possible! 

 

The Pegasus cross-section is beautiful and a brilliant concept. Having already done a scratch built cross-section though, I likely woudn’t buy it myself (though I’d be sorely tempted).

 

The Dutch Boeier is an unusual and interesting subject that I can see having a lot of appeal to those looking for something other than “3-masts and lots of guns”. I’d be tempted by this one if I could sneak it past the Admiral.....

 

The Chebacco would likely have most appeal to the US market (which I guess is your largest market segment).

 

Not sure if I’ve helped at all there, but guess on balance I’ll vote for the Dutch Boeier. 

[Seventynet]

The Dutch Boeier because it is so unique and otherwise unavailable - followed by the Pegasus.

 

Ian

[paulsutcliffe]

Boeier wins it for me, completely different

Regards

Paul

[Chuck Seiler]

I have been remiss in my model building for the past couple years, but I can still dream.  I voted for the Pegasus cross section but the Dutch Boeier is a close second.

[Landlubber Mike]

I voted for the Boeier, with the Chebacco a close second.  I’m not all that interested in cross sections, though the pictures you posted are beautiful - and it would look nice next to Swan class models a bunch of us are building.

 

At 1/4 scale, how long is the Boeier?  I’d be interested in a larger scale model if there was a lot of interesting detail that could be added.

 

Also wanted to add my voice to those commending you for looking at novel subjects.  These are all quite interesting and different.

[Ryland Craze]

I voted for the Dutch Boeier because it is different and small.  I do feel that a Pegasus Cross Section would be a nice addition to your existing product lineup and would be a good seller.

[KenW]

I vote for the Chebacco.  That is the kit I would purchase the minute it became available.

Cheers.

[svein erik]

Hi chuck 

I do like the c.chebacco boat Lion, it do Not have guns, thats something new 

a boat like this with this shape and your plans and detaling its going to be a fantastic 

maby leaving a half hull open on one side using your new frame technikk

 

Svein.e

[alde]

The cross section for sure Chuck. It will make a beautiful model and can be easily cased and displayed a small area.

[Chuck]

I would like to keep the poll going but allow me to explain why I started this a bit more in detail.   I appreciate the responses very much. They were indeed extremely helpful.

 

Like many you who have several kits in the closet and pretty much know what you will be building in the future,  I have known for a while that three subjects are what was in my closet so-to-speak.  Regardless of how commercially viable any of these were, I was pretty sure that these were projects I was going to build.  The real purpose of the poll was to help establish the order in which I was going to develop and build them.  Should any of the choices I was excited about been duds with absolutely no interest from the ship model community, I would have still built it.  I would have just left it for later and not commercialized it.  

 

I am happy to say that it looks like there is sufficient interest in all three.  That is good for me.   And based on the results,  it looks like the cross section is the most popular commercially.  Since my current kit/products fund the next projects on my list to bring to market,  it makes sense for me to start there.  So I am talking with Greg Herbert and David Antscherl right now so I can started on developing the plans for the cross section.  I will do so as I build the prototype for the Winchelsea.  But yes the Boeier and Chebacco will be brought to market as well.  I will just be starting with the cross section.  I am so happy that there is actually interest in the later two.  

 

Thanks and keep the votes coming as right now it looks like the boeier and chebacco are neck and neck for the number two slot.

 

Chuck

[amateur]

I understand the decision. but believe me, I'm a bit disappointed by it. Smaller working boats, not coming from the US or the UK  are rarely be found in kit-form  (and certainly not in a decent quality kit). I do understand  that kit-makers have to choose a subject for which a potentially large market exist, but one way or the other, that always seems to result in a kit of an "HMS something" with a certain number of guns. I'm simply not interested in any HMS-something.....

 

Jan

[Chuck]

But not to worry...I will be building the Boeier and Chebacco right after the cross section is completed.  Because I agree with you 100%

[Kurt Johnson]

Boeier would be my first choice, it’s something distinctly different. I could definitely see myself getting the Pegasus also. Too bad they couldn’t be done all at once! You have so much time on your hands why not. The Boeier comes out in March, take a few days to catch up on some rope, the Pegasus maybe May. Whatever you come up with will be the typical Syren class act.

 

Kurt

[amateur]

Thanks, I'll try to be patient

 

Jan

Edited January 16, 2018 by amateur

[svein erik]

Sign me up on the chebacco😊 chuck 

 

 

Svein.e 

 

 

 

[Chuck]

On a separate note.   My store will be opening hopefully again.  Just wanted to give everyone a heads up.   Grandma is coming home from the hospital today.  I am shooting for tomorrow to re-open the store but depending on how things go once she comes home....at the latest it will be early Thursday morning.  Thank you all for your patience.  I learned from the last time that this was the best way to handle the situation and closing down for a few days was what enabled me to keep my sanity throughout it all.   

 

I will get organized and see what I have to start making tomorrow as I know my inventory must be a wreck.  Havent stepped into the shop much since last week.  So if you see a lot of stuff out of stock....I am going to get right on it.  But it will take some time to catch up once I get the sweatshop up and running again.

 

Thanks again

 

Chuck

[MEDDO]

Great news glad she is doing better.  While I voted wholeheartedly for the cross section I am also interested in the Chebacco as well.  It looks like an interesting project.

[pythagoras]

Chuck and family,

  Very glad to hear grandma will be home soon. Best wishes to her, you, and the whole family.

 

Pythagoras (Tom)

[Kurt Johnson]

Glad things are working out. 

 

Kurt

[Chuck]

Thanks....

 

Kurt, I hope you make some room on your workbench for a cross section, to help me prototype/work out the kinks....should be fun. 

 

Chuck

[Cathead]

Being self-employed myself, I agree that commercial considerations are very important. The Pegasus cross-section will almost certainly be the easiest for you to market. I hope it does well enough to allow you to pursue the more obscure interests as well. Are you sure you don't want to do a non-warship cross-section, like a whaling ship or the Beagle instead? It'd be awfully neat to get an inside look at a working but non-military vessel of that period.

[mitbok]

I voted for Boeier. That was on my list for a very long time along with Tjalk and other Dutch and north European boats.

I do have a kit of Frize Boeier on the shelf, but its not even close to what Syrens Models can come up with.

So that one is a definite must have for me. Scale is a bit surprising though as  Boeiers are small boats.

1/24 is a big scale but somewhere along 1/32 would be just right for such boat. Still compact but gives

possibilities for better detailing.

 

What ever happened to that  Thames rowing skiff that was on NE Conference few years ago?

[Chuck]

That is Dan's baby....as soon as he finishes up what he is working on, I am hoping he will get right back to it.   I am in no rush and I certainly dont wont him to rush.  Basically I laser cut the parts he draws up after we talk about the design and he continues to build his prototype.  Kind of nice actually to have someone else creating a Syren project.  But whenever he gets back to it I am sure he will start a build log.

 

Chuck

[rafine]

Chuck, does all of this mean that Winnie is now off the table as a kit or mini-kit? 

 

Bob

[stevenmh]

My first (and so far only) attempt at wooden models is a semi-kit-bashed cross section and I find myself fascinated by it, I would love to try a cross section that would be a bit less, well, trying, a little less make it up as you go.

 

Wasn't there talk at one point about a Viking ship, or did that morph into the barge?

[jwvolz]

I voted for the Lion. It would be nice to have a Syren kit of such a different subject. Very unique.