Wooden Ship Models

Schooner Yacht America
1851
scale _"=1'
L.O.A. 27", H 16", W 5"
planked with ebony, decks applewood
white material is bone or ivory base inlaid with abalone, ebony, ivory, and rosewood

New Bedford whale boat
ca.1840
scale _"=1'
L.O.A. 27", H 16", W 5"
planked model
painted pine bone trim

Fishing Schooner Sophronia
ca.1849
scale _"=1'
L.O.A. 42", H 38", W 12"
planked model
painted pine

Sloop Spray
ca. 1895
scale 1/2" = 1'

Joshua Slocum, the first solo circumnavigator, sailed this vessel around the world over the course of three years.

Pinky Schooner Essex
ca.1821
scale _"=1'
L.O. A. 28", H 26", W 7"
carved hull
painted pine

Inspired by antique models in the Peabody& Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. Very old models have a particular patina and proportion that I wanted to capture here.

John Alden yawl Rondalay
ca.1974
scale _"=1'
L.O.A. 35", H 46", W 9"
carved pine hull

Nantucket Catboat L. Roberta
ca. 1876
scale _"=1'
L.O.A. 24", H 28", W 10"
carved pine

Motor Yacht Marina S.
ca. 1928
scale _"=1'
L.O.A. 32", H 10", W 8"
carved basswood
cased model

Prices and commissioning a model
All the models shown here have been sold. All new models are built on commission. The prices range from $4,000 to $5,000 for a bone catboat or wooden whale boat model to over $20,000 for a bone whaleship. Prices are based on a time & materials estimate, which includes such variables as subject, level of detail, size, degree of decorative elements, case, etc. When commissioning all these factors are considered and a fixed price for the project is given. The commission is secured by a down payment of 25 to 50% of the total price, depending on the size of the project. A projected time of completion is discussed. For repair & restoration, an estimate is given, but never a fixed price. Due to the nature of the work the final bill is based on actual hours worked, plus materials & any other costs more or less than the estimate. Cases – I will build custom cases and bases for models I have not built. The approach is much the same as framing a painting. The base & case are designed to be asthetically and historically appropriate for the model in question. If you would like to discuss a project, please contact me at domihs@netzero.net or 978-371-2088.