J-30 Sloop

thingiverse

This model was painstakingly crafted from humble brochure illustrations and a simple waterlines drawing, coupled with extensive photoreferences and my own firsthand observations of dozens of these boats undergoing weeks-long repairs in the boatyards due to osmosis blisters. The reconstruction of the 3D model originated as a commission for an old-school modelmaker who required the waterlines for a 'lift model,' a technique reminiscent of 18th-century shipbuilding practices. Today, this method is commonly known as 'bread and butter' modeling, which involves using horizontal planks approximately 1/2 inch thick, sawn to match the wl shapes, then stacked and pinned together with vertical dowels. The next step involves employing grinders, rasps, and sanders to eliminate the 'stairsteps' created by the layers, followed by fairing, priming, and painting; however, I prefer a contrasting wood finish for the layers, topped off with a clear lacquer or varnish coating. A friend is currently refining the model at 18 inches on his custom-built CNC router, and I intend to submit it to Shapeways for on-demand printing.