My father, Derek, an avid collector and sailer of model boats, recently passed away, leaving us with a garage full of models to home. Since I was a kid, this was his pride and joy. His father was a radio operator the White Star line to Australia and bought the model in the 1930s, we think. It might be a Marblehead 50/800 (?), but I know very little about boats. It’s in good condition, although regulatly sailed until the 80s and never restored. Always housed indoors.

If somebody can identify anything about it or help us to value it, I would be grateful.

Steve

The Vintage Model Yacht Group are a good source of help and information on old models. You could try emailing the Secretary at vmyg.secretary@btinternet.com or the Chairman at Martinbandey@aol.com

Dimensions would help to identify it but its certainly not a Marblehead.

On 28/09/2025 at 19:13, Ditton Dabler said:

The Vintage Model Yacht Group are a good source of help and information on old models. You could try emailing the Secretary at vmyg.secretary@btinternet.com or the Chairman at Martinbandey@aol.com

Thanks Ditton. I have emailed them and Martin has offered to find a home with his members. Once everything is set up, I will put links here. I’m not sure of the exact dimensions and won’t know for about a week, but I estimate 2.5 feet long (minus bowsprit) and about 4 high. These others need homes too. We also have a full-sized ‘Sharpy’ design, a prototype for the full-sized one he developed (https://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/09/sharpy.html).He sold the plans to 2 customers, who loved it. The cog is only semi scale, but it does sail. The red and black hull may or may not be antique.

On 29/09/2025 at 09:36, Gareth said:

Dimensions would help to identify it but its certainly not a Marblehead.

Thanks Gareth. Dimentions (estimated) in reply above. I will try to get exact ones soon.