BestViewed at 800 x 600 with NETSCAPE


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"Thistle"
At right is a half-hull model of "Thistle", the 'couta boat seen in the background. Built in 1903 in Melbourne as a fast 28' vessel to fish the barracouta off the Victorian coast. They are today used as recreational and racing craft on Port Philip Bay.  I carved this model in 1997. The hull is Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomom camphora; a huge noxious weed brought to Australia in the gold rush era), the board and thistle are Queensland White Beech (Gmelina leichhardtii; our finest carving timber) and the spars are Crow's Ash - ((Flindersia australis) or Australian teak)).   All timbers from my local area, Noosa, Qld.  (My favourite model)
Thistle - Couta Boat

Look more closely at the thistle carving detail:
See also: The Story of the Couta Boats and The Restoration of "Thistle"


"Baghla"
This is a 98' Arab trader from the late 18th century. The rig and bows still show the traditional style of the well known dhows, but the stern displays influence from contact with European ships of the day.
The model was carved from Banksia (Banksia sp.) with the board made from Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii). Spars and keel/stempost are Crow's Ash (Flindersia australis). 
All timbers are from the Noosa area of Queensland.
Baghla, 18th Century Arab Trader


Muscongus Bay Sloop
An example of the type of craft used for lobster & inshore fishing around Muscongus Bay, Maine, USA, circa 1890. 
The model is laminated & carved from Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) for the topsides, Papua New Guinea Rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus) for the waterline & Rose Mahogany (Dysoxylum fraseranum) for the lower hull. The board is also PNG Rosewood.
Muscongus Sloop


"Kelpie"
This classic example of late 19th century yacht design by William Fife was built in Sydney in 1894 and celebrated it's 100th birthday in 1994.  A 30ft gaff cutter, it's graceful lines are a treat to behold as it sails the waters of Sydney Harbour today where it still turns heads regularly. 
Model is carved from Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) - topsides, Rose She-oak (Casuarina torulosa) - waterline, Aust. Red Cedar (Toona australis) - lower hull, Crow's Ash (Flindersia australis)- spars and Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) for the board. All locally grown timber.
Kelpie, Sydney's oldest yacht.


 
"Laura b"
My very first attempt at half-hull modelling, this Gloucester, Massachusetts 28ft Inshore Lobsterboat was designed by Phil Bolger with an attractive sheer and good flair in the bows. A very pretty hull for a motorboat. Unlike my other hulls, this model was carved from a laminated set of "lifts" or waterlines as normally seen on the plans. Timber used is Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) for the board and Rose She-oak (Casuarina torulosa) for the hull.
Kelpie, Sydney's oldest yacht.

Click here for top view (Quarter sawn)of this spectacular timber - Rose She-oak

All models are finished with Danish Oil.
THE HOW TO SECTION:    A Short Understanding of Half-hull Modelling & it's Methods:

 E-mail me with any enquiries or just for a chat -
Colin Sheehan
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