Choosing the Right Boat for You

By John Stoudt

When you consider the question of choosing a boat within the context of vintage model yachts, you must look at it from a different perspective than you might if you were choosing a boat supported by another organization. So, you have to be willing to weave around all current model yachts to get to making a good vintage model yacht choice. 

What do I mean by that? The US VMYG is a segment of model yachting that embraces older model yachts. The US VMYG supports seven classes of these boats: International A Boats, Schooners, Skipjacks, Unrestricted Racing Models, Vintage 10-Raters, Vintage 36/600, and Vintage Marbleheads. These vary significantly in size, appearance, and in how they may have been constructed. They  are very different from other model yachts. 

Considerations

Things that need to be considered when you are choosing a vintage model yacht. 

  • Are you looking to display the boat and/or sail the boat?
  • What is the boat condition, its size, and ease of transport?
  • What is your location, where can you sail the boat, and who you can sail with?
  • Are you interested in building, restoring, or having a boat restored for you?
  • Where can you find a boat? 
  • How do you learn to sail a boat?
A restoration can be a big but satisfying project. See “Model Yacht Decision Making” for information on how to get started.

What Should I be Looking for?

There are questions that you may consider as you embark on this adventure.

  • Are there model yacht clubs near me?
  • What model yachts do they sail?
  • Is there a club that sails vintage model yachts near me?
  • Do I just want a great looking boat that I can enjoy sailing around on the pond and/or display in my living room?
  • Do I build a boat, or do I acquire one by various means?
  • I bought one in an antique shop; how do I get it ready to sail?
Lines of Midge.

Search the internet and specifically the US VMYG site to see what vintage boats are, their appearance (they can be very different), and what might be available.

Make sure you check the Boat Yard on the US VMYG website at https://usvmyg.org/category/boat-yard

Check out other model yacht organizations as well local clubs. Do an internet search to find possible leads. These boats show up at auctions and other outlets. Check online auction such as AuctionZip.com.

Perhaps the Boat Will Choose You!

Sometimes you acquire a boat before any consideration is given to what boat you really wanted and what you wanted to do with it. For example …

  • You walked into an antique shop one day and found this beautiful “antique” model yacht. Turns out it is a vintage Marblehead class boat missing the rig. It came home with you!
  • Aunt Lodie calls and says Uncle Charlie (he passed away recently) had this old boat in the attic and he would want you to have it. Turns out this is a Vintage 36/600 model yacht that, after researching it, it is a replica of Midge, a Daniels and Tucker design.
  • You were surfing around on eBay one day and this beautiful model yacht caught your eye. Now you own it.
  • You have been following the Boat Yard on the US VMYG website and a new boat was posted, and wow, you fell in love with it. Now it is your possession. Turns out to be a boat that fits in the Schooner class.

Now What Do You Do?

What do you need to do with the boat to get it ready to sail? You must evaluate the boat to determine if it needs to be repaired, needs to have sails made, or if it is okay as is. You just want to clean it up and display it. 

Call a friend or contact the US VMYG. We can help with determining what needs to be done and how to move forward (https://usvmyg.org/about-us/contact-us/). We will assist you to get in touch with the appropriate person for construction advice, what clubs might be nearby, and other details specific to your situation.

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