| There are various types of model boats. They range | | | | Even as late as the 18th century almost all European |
| from the ancient Mediterranean to the present day | | | | small craft was built without formal plans. Boat and |
| boats. The ancient boat models are from Greece, | | | | ship models were handcrafted and they were then |
| Egypt and Phoenicia. These were all sea faring nations | | | | scaled to assume the original size. In those days, the |
| and their ships and boats were considered of high | | | | models were first made and then following the |
| quality. It was their adventurous spirit that made | | | | pattern and dimensions of the models, the ships and |
| them build boats and ships and sail forth on high seas | | | | boats were made. |
| to discover what lay beyond their shores. But what | | | | There were also Admiralty models and these were |
| happened to the people who did not sail the high | | | | scaled versions of the proposed warships. The deck, |
| seas? They were equally interested in sailing but they | | | | mast, spars and general configuration were crafted |
| never did get a chance to get on a boat or ship. So | | | | intricately. These models would find interest among |
| began the craft of making models of the ships and | | | | people who have interest in history, wars and sea |
| boats. These ancient models of ships and boats were | | | | battles. |
| made from many materials - wood, bronze, lead and | | | | During the Napoleonic wars, French and English |
| clay, depending on how they were to be used. They | | | | seamen who had been taken prisoners began to |
| were used as burial votives, household articles, art | | | | handcraft models of boats and ships to relieve their |
| and also as toys. These models were normally scaled | | | | boredom. They usually crafted models of ships and |
| down versions of small craft, merchant vessels and | | | | boats that they were familiar with. So most often |
| warships. There is also proof that some of the | | | | what they turned out was of warships. |
| models were fishing vessels. Wood was most often | | | | It was in the 19th and 20th centuries that model kits |
| the preferred material to make these models of | | | | for boats and ships began to hit the market. Offering |
| ships and boats as it was easier to handcraft and | | | | a wide variety of choice, these kits were soon very |
| replicate, the original itself being made of wood. | | | | popular. Ship and boat modelling soon began to make |
| Being made to scale, these models of ancient boats | | | | significant advances with the introduction of newer |
| and ships give a clue of the size of the original. Some | | | | and more innovative tools. More and more people |
| of the best boat models are perhaps from the | | | | began to take this up as a hobby because now it |
| Egyptian shipping fleet. That is perhaps because | | | | was easier to handle and also not complicated |
| these Egyptian ships were of a superior quality and | | | | anymore. |
| also more decorative. It is assumed that these | | | | So whether you want to make a model of a |
| models of boats and ships could have been used as | | | | schooner or a three engined out-rigger it's all handy |
| toys also. | | | | with the model boat kit. You can also handcraft a |
| Among the European nations some of the oldest ship | | | | racing boat or a sports boat with its sleek lines. |
| models are those of galleys, galleons and carracks. | | | | There are kits to suit your every whim and fancy. |