Quality of Model Shipways Skipjack Ship

[acaron41120]

Received a Model Shipways Skipjack ship as a Christmas present. I will build it but I know nothing about quality of Model Shipways. Bad, good, in the middle of the road?

[vossiewulf]

Generally good, with good materials and instructions.

[thibaultron]

Their Skipjack kit is (in my opinion) the best on the market! The MS kit is of a "Standard" type. If, in the future, you are interested in building another Skipjack, the Midwest kit is a good choice. The difference between them is that the Midwest kit is of an "Outlaw Skipjack". The Outlaw skipjacks were smaller faster boats used by captains of "Questionable Morals" to dredge during times that were outside the lawful ones, typically at night. Chappell has more information in one of his books. The Midwest kit matches the drawing in the book almost exactly.

[acaron41120]

That's for the info. I'll have to check out some history and photos/paintings of the Skipjack. The scale of this kit is 7/16 inch =0.438 inches 1 ft which equates to roughly 1:190 or close to it. I think it'll be a fun build while I wait for the hull planks on the Golden Hind to dry.

[thibaultron]

That is 1:28th scale, so you have the Midwest kit now made buy Model Shipways, who purchased the rights after Midwest shut down. That is the outlaw version I mentioned previously. I looked into it more and they were called "Oyster Pirates", as they dredged at night and typically in the beds reserved for Tonging. Tongs looked a little like very large salad forks, and were used to grab oysters by hand in shallow water. They were small and fast to avoid the local law enforcement types.

 

Chapelle's "American Small Sailing Craft", has a write up with drawings, plans, and history on this type, starting on Page 323. You might pick up a copy, it is quite interesting, and one of the modern classic books. Get a good used copy, as the contents have not changed since he published it.

[Jack12477]

On 12/27/2024 at 5:08 PM, acaron41120 said:

Received a Model Shipways Skipjack ship as a Christmas present. I will build it but I know nothing about quality of Model Shipways. Bad, good, in the middle of the road?

I built the Model Shipways skipjack Willie Bennett some time ago, the build log is Here

Edited December 29, 2024 by Jack12477

[GrandpaPhil]

I’ve had a couple Model Shipways kits and I liked them.

 

Their kits are of good quality.

Edited December 29, 2024 by GrandpaPhil