Second sail of the year

IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production

This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.

IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.

The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.

This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging

One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.

The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.

Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout

Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.

Hi all built this robbe le courage a few years back and wanted to share a few pix...recently refitted👍 sails lovely and the trawl net and otter boards are a nice extra!

Actually it was a "no meet" meet. December 7 is "Pearl Harbor" remberence day in the US. So I was up to 3 AM Saturday night preparing my PT61 to bring it to the park. Weather was 40% chance of rain.

Up at 9, I packed everything and went to the park. Only a few droplets of rain followed by the sun coming out and no rain. I was the only one there.

Ironically, people must have been watching weather radar on their cell phones and decided not to go. Contrast that when, on December 7, 1941, radar was manned and the impending attack was misinterpreted somewhere along the line and the US defenses decided "not to go".

It would have been a good meet. No fun sailing alone. I wanted the '61 to get in the water where it hasn't been in quite a while. So, I am posting photos of the PT61 (1/20 scale, 47+ inches long) in my SUV. More next time.

Lew

Another meet with great weather. Perfect temperature with no wind at the start but a mild breeze came in for anyone sailing.
We had the docks (first time in many, many years). Going to work on a better and faster solution to fasten them together and use them more often.
Lew

Look here for more info on last years Spooky evening sail . (2025 planned for mid November)

https://buxtonmodelboatclub.co.uk/news/
https://model-boats.com/places/60518#159078

On the 20th of October, the Spencer pool will be drained for the winter skating season. I think it's a bit early, but no one listens to me.A couple of us set sail till next spring.The Gumbot Clogaroo ran real nice.

Filming over water at low sun angles with reflection and glare, can be frustrating as conditions change, - it then all takes time editing to get a reasonable result . Just for fun I got "Sailor Sam" and wing man Dave to give hand with the filming.

For more photos and information see - Boat Clubs & Lakes - (Direct Link below).
https://model-boats.com/places/60518

Our club will be sailing at Spencer's in the evening with our model boats lit up. I have upgraded my Jimwilder Tug with an LED light from our Dollar Store ( $ 4.50 ) now. Did a few modifications to get it in the tug.Looks pretty good & should be visible.

I'm a little late posting this photo but on Aug.21 the Confederation Marine Modelers had a event at 9AM at Spencer's pool for working boats so my Fireboat Edward M. Cotter had a sail for the first time in 2025 It's the red Fire boat. Just thought I'd add a real photo of the Buffalo N.Y. fireboat that visits Port Colborne, Ontario Every Aug. first weekend. There was more working boats but to take a photo with a I Phone 8 and sail a model is kind of difficult.

General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2