Woods Hole Model Boat Show This Weekend

Dozens of elaborate model boats on display as well as model boat races will highlight the 12th biennial Woods Hole Historical Museum’s Model Boat Show on April 13 and 14, 2019. There is free parking in Woods Hole during the days of the show.

The Woods Hole Model Boat Show takes place on Saturday, April 13 from 9am to 4pm and on Sunday, April 14 from 9am to 3pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Woods Hole Historical Museum at 579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole; at the Woods Hole Community Hall at 68 Water Street, Woods Hole; and at the MBL Club at 100 Water Street, Woods Hole.

Admission prices are $15 for an adult; $5 for ages 12 to 17 and for uniformed military; free for children under age 12.

Admission covers all exhibits and activities over the two days of the show.

Model boats are on display at the ticketing locations, as well as at the Woods Hole Library, the Woods Hole Fire House and the Smith Building. For the youngest visitors, toy model boats for sale for $5 and a kiddie pool for sailing the boats are located at the Woods Hole Museum. Maps and signage will direct visitors to the Model Boat Show venues, which are all within a short walk around the village.

This two-day celebration of small ships is an opportunity to view exquisite workmanship and meet model boat craftsmen from all over New England and beyond. Some of the vessels are so small they can fit inside a light bulb, most are much larger, ranging from 12 in. to 12 ft. Most have fine detail. Some are stationary, exhibited inside; others go into the water. Some are powered only by the wind, yet steered by radio control.

The centerpiece of the event is a village-wide array of model boat displays, featuring watercraft of every description: extravagant yachts, sturdy tugs, imposing military vessels, elegant steam-powered boats and everything in between. There is also a lot of fun to be had outside, as the boat show features radio-controlled model boats racing on the harbor, plus model boat kits that kids can assemble and then launch in a kids’ pool. There is truly something for everyone!

Scheduled talks which are free to the public include:

Historical Milestones in Model Yachting

Saturday, 11 AM-noon, John Stoudt, “Little Boat Builder” (PA) and president of the US Vintage Model Yacht Group

— On the sport/hobby of model yachting over the years, since 1851: Various key venues, skippers, boats, techniques, developments and processes.

Designing a Model of the Down Easter, William H. Conner

Saturday 1-2 PM, Rob Napier, restorer and researcher of historic vessels for museums including Boston MFA

— On interpreting research materials and the thoughts and processes encountered in designing a model of the William H. Conner, a full-rigged merchant sailing ship, Maine-built in 1877.

“Saint Columba’s Curragh: The challenge of modeling a leather boat”

Sunday 11 AM-noon, James Norton, professor (Maine, retired) and maker of small, historic open boat models

— On the challenges of making a 1/24 scale model of the 36-foot leather-covered curragh used by Saint Columba and his monks to travel in exile from Northern Ireland to the island of Iona in Scotland in 563 AD.

“New Underwater Vehicles developed in the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Deep Submergence Lab”

Sunday, 1-2 PM, Molly Curran, mechanical engineer in the Deep Submergence Lab of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Consignment With Dockyard Sales at the Model Boat Show

“Dock Yard Sales” is the Model Boat Show’s nautical flea market, operating on a consignment basis during the two days of the show. The dock sales are located in the lower level of the Woods Hole Community Hall.

More information about the Woods Hole Model Boat Show can be found at WoodsHoleMuseum .org.