Ship Modelers

Could any one please explain just what the heck a practicum is. How do they work? How much do they cost? What does one get? Are they any good?

Is it anything like the web based demonstrations I seen on the SMA and Lumberyard sites. If so what guarantee is there that the course will be completed?

Mark Greene

A practicum is a step by step treatise on building a particular model of a ship. Currently there are many practicums in progress ranging from Bob Hunt’s Constitution series for the kit builder to David Antscherl’s (and mine) advanced three year scratch building course on building a Swan class vessel.

As for guarantees there are none that either the practicum will be completed or the builder will complete his/her model. For the former one must evaluate the credentials and reputation of the instructor; for the latter one must make a realistic assessment of his/her own skills.

Greg Herbert, D.V.M.

Well, I can give you part of the answer. A practicum is a tutorial that takes you step by step through the building of a model.

I suppose I’m qualified to say that the practicum I’m writing can’t give you a cast-iron guarantee of completion because I don’t know if the grim reaper may tap me on the shoulder before I’m through. However, there’s a reasonable prospect of completion because a) I’m relatively young and b) in reasonable health. I also look both ways before crossing a road.

But, back to the practicum itself. The ’Swan’ class practicum takes you through the building of a ship-rigged sloop of the 1770’s from the keel up, in sufficient detail down to the last bolt. It is intended for experienced modelers, and should satisfy the most critical.

There are several other practicums out there by other authors. I will leave it to other listees here to give you what their opinions are on the value and usefulness of either my own or others’ work.

David Antscherl

Tho’ I’m a relative newbie, my experience factor has increased significantly because of my participation in several Practicums. There are several currently available, of different formats and for different experience levels. Basically, they are a written step-by-minutia step instruction sets as to how a particular model was actually built by the author. The theory being that the participant following such tiny steps would produce a very acceptable model at the end of the line. Fr. Romero has produced and has still available several, ranging from the Confederacy, Fubbs, to the Warrior. which has an on-line Practicum group similar to this SSL to mutually cuss and discuss each question that may occur in real time, and share problems and successes. Then there’s a totally integrated interactive approach taken by author Bob Hunt, with the Model Shipways Constitution and Armed Virginia Sloop kits. Members of his practicums receive monthly CD plus participation in the private on-line interactive discussion group.

One usually gets either a CD or series of CD with the step by step instructions, wood lists, or kit scrutiny, tools suggested, and techniques offered, plus a plethora of photos and drawings, hints, and tips.. or… printed instruction sets, ranging from several hundred pages to over a thousand ore more.

I personally have found all three approaches extremely useful and more than worth the price and effort in personal experience gained. These folks, like many on this list, have done it all before, and willingly share the pitfalls and solutions to those of use so eager to learn..

Price ranges from about "free" to $65 to $135 complete. The Warrior, a huge multi-year undertaking, has 3 volumes already issued at 500 - 600 or more pages available at $80 each , with a 4th coming as the author proceeds in his construction. These larger plank/frame practicums use the Hahn or Portia techniques of hull construction.

Mark, I am sorry for this lengthy dissertation, but your question IS IMPORTANT to many of us newbies, and needed a full answer - since in my opinion, Practicums are the way to go!!!!

I’ve attached a few links for your perusal. Hope you find them as enlightening as I have!!!!!

Ron Romanski

Originaly published at http://home.att.net/~ShipModelFAQ/

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