grandbankssch

This is a close to scale model of a cod fishing schooner of a type that was once a common sight on the Atlantic Grand Banks off Newfoundland. They were sometimes known as Gloucester schooners after the largest of the fishing ports in the region, where many of these vessels were based. This design is very similar to Bluenose, which was probably the best-known single example of this class of fast sailing ship, her speed being legendary, though she was built as just a typical Grand Banks fishing schooner. The moulded keel of our hull has been deepened slightly to improve stability, and because of this, the model can carry sufficient internal lead ballast to enable it to be sailed in calm weather without any need for an added external keel, though in any event it is important to keep top weight as low as possible, and some previous experience of building and sailing scale models of this kind is desirable. The photos show well-built R/C examples of this model, all carrying plenty of sail, and employing varying degrees of complexity and sophistication in the sail control department.