Classic Yacht Models with Robert Eddy April 29

Master ship modeler Robert Eddy of Camden will unveil his latest creation, a model of Northern Crown, and talk about his lifelong passion for ship model making at the Camden Public Library on Tuesday, April 29, at 7:00 pm. Northern Crown will be on display along with some of Eddy’s earliest carvings to accompany his presentation on how this hobby turned into a unique profession. The presentation is part of the library’s Maritime Month lecture series and is supported in part by Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine.

The illustrated talk will explore Eddy’s lifelong pursuit of custom yacht model building. Eddy will discuss the importance of technology and the role yacht models have in family and maritime heritage, and review seven decades of accomplishments, experiences, and travels along with the pitfalls and humor that go with this independent lifestyle. Two recent projects will be reviewed, Northern Crown, an Aage Nielsen design from the 1950s, and Tenacious, a 1990s 120-foot Hood Design Group yacht currently underway at the shop.

Eddy will showcase some of his earliest carvings from his first X-acto carving kit given to him by his mother at a very early age, display some mold-making examples, and describe the lost wax casting techniques for gold and silver parts. The slide presentation will highlight examples of a hobby turned profession, being mentored and influenced by people in the community, and describe the skills he needed to acquire along the way to make every model better than the last.

Eddy will also discuss how technology has enabled him and his associate of eight years, Reuben Brown, to build ever more complex models for a highly demanding clientele. Model building at this level of detail requires designing  and creating the miniature parts with a variety of techniques, from old-fashioned molding techniques to new laser cutting and 3D manufacturing.

Northern Crown is a classic double ended cutter designed by K. Aage Nielsen. Built in 1956 by Walsteds in Denmark. Walsteds still has an international reputation for building fine wooden boats, and Northern Crownis still sailing the waters here in mid-coast Maine. This elegant 1/2″=1′ scale model replica is a commission for a private client located in Rockport, Maine.