DOWNLOAD THE BOAT TEMPLATES
If you wish, you can use these two PDF templates as a very rough guide to help you construct the basic parts of this sailing vessel. First download Template One, Template Two, and Template Three. Since we couldn't fit the hull template on one sheet at the right scale, you'll have to print out Templates One and Two and tape them together. So print them out, and get started!

STEP ONE:
Make the basic frame of the boat out of foamcore. The first shape is the hull, which can be any size. We made our ship about 6.5" wide at the widest point, and 15" long (see Templates One and Two). It is important to remember the size for all the basic pieces you cut out.

When you complete the basic foamcore hull shape, cut out the forecastle and poop deck (Template Three) and glue them into position (and yeah, it really was called a "poop deck").

STEP TWO:
Step two is easy. Just repeat the first step. Cut out additional pieces of foamcore at the same size for the hull, forecastle, and poop deck (still kind of funny, isn't it?). Glue these pieces in place with white glue to add thickness to your ship. You could raise the deck with a third layer, or you could even skip this step to save materials, but two levels definitely make for a good deck level to start with. Next, get your craft sticks out for the decking.

STEP THREE:
This step is simple, too, but it will take a little more time than the first steps. Lay down planking by clipping off the end of the popsicle sticks and gluing them to the foamcore with superglue. Stagger the wood so end joins are not next to each other and clip off the popsicle ends where they run over the edge of the ship. Sand the edge lightly to get a smooth edge to make the deck look neat and to make the next step easier.

STEP FOUR:
Cut pieces of basswood to the right width and soak them in a shallow dish of water. The water will help them bend around the sides of the boat. Soak them for about 20 minutes, dry them off with a paper towel, and glue them in place with superglue. Be sure to leave space for the bowsprit at the front of the ship.

STEP FIVE:
This step is all about getting the mast and the spar in place. The mast is a piece of dowel rod about 20" in length with the topmost end sanded down to a tapered end. Next, a smaller dowel rod 8" long with both ends tapered with sandpaper is placed about 15" inches up to serve as a spar or crossbeam. Nail the spar to the mast with a small nail. If it still twists around, put a drop of glue around the nail and let it dry. To insert the mast into the deck, carefully use a hobby knife to cut the planking and the foamcore underneath into a mast-shaped hole. A small piece of PVC piping can be used for additional support at the base of the mast. Superglue and a nail through the bottom of the ship will help hold the mast in place. Use the same technique to place the bowsprit into the forecastle.

If you need a nice big image for reference while you complete your ship, click on the image at the right.

PAINTING AND DETAILING
At this stage, the ship is ready for painting and detailing.

Because we wanted a very basic boat to use as an example, we have not added much in the way of extra details. Likewise, the paint job is standard and keeps to a basic wooden look. Ambitious modellers and painters should feel free to go many steps further.

Painting Steps. Prime the whole model with Chaos Black Spray Paint and then heavily drybrush the mast, yard, and outer hull of the ship with Scorched Brown. Next, drybrush with a mix of Scorched Brown and a bit of Bestial Brown and then with a mix of Bestial Brown and Bleached Bone. Paint the deck with a coat of Bestial Brown, a drybrush of Snakebite Leather, and a final drybrush of Bleached Bone.

Extra Details. With just a little more effort, you can easily add interesting details. Some fine rope or chain around the mast, a pennant up top, and a few barrels on the deck would be a good place to start. Remember, though, too much detail can make the deck overcrowded for models.

MODELING AND PAINTING SAILS
The last step is the sail. Although you don't need a sail to play, even a quick and easy sail adds to the overall look. For our very basic ship, we simply cut and shaped some thin cardboard (just below the thickness of a cereal box). The cardboard we used was from packing material, but if you can't scrounge that up, you can use thin poster board or even cut up a cereal box, although you will have to prime over the cardboard (this is the perfect place for a Cap'n Crunch joke). To paint a simple sail, start with a good coat of Bleached Bone Spray Paint and then lightly apply Skull White spray paint in short, controlled bursts to the centre of the sail. Start with the can about 10" away from the sail and move the can away from the sail as you spray. Four ideas for possible sail designs can be seen on the right.

WHICH ARMY?
It took about two evenings work (about 2 hours a night) to build, prime, and paint our basic ship. Not too bad for a splendid result! It will take a bit more time if you want to add army-specific details or hand-painted sails with complex designs.

Imagine knocking a few holes in the side and patching them up with crooked boards and broken shields for an Orc Raiders' ship? Or perhaps a few ornately carved balsa wood details and some brighter colours on the ship’s timbers to make for a Bretonnian vessel? A twin-tailed comet or a crowned skull with wreaths on the sail would suggest an Empire ship. And the skull and crossbones symbol works for pirates of any race!

While you may want to smooth out the boxy shape more, the same techniques can be used to make the graceful boats of the Elves, the strange Xebecs of Araby, or any other ships you can come up with.

BUILD EVEN FASTER
Sometimes, particularly in Warhammer campaigns, it is necessary to build a large fleet fast. Perhaps you have a huge river to cross or you want to launch a sneak invasion? A scenario in which you are attacking the enemy from the front and landing forces behind can be a lot of fun. Yet, how can you get a dozen ships in a night? Just build the bases. They don't look nearly as nice as the finished thing but will allow you to build a fleet overnight and get in an awesome game!