Welcome to the Brentwood Model Boat Club
Brentwood Model Boat Club is active in both building boats, competing with them on the water as well as showing them off at exhibitions. Many of us travel regularly to other clubs to compete and a few of us have also entered into the MPBA National Competitions. Whilst others are regulars at various exhibitions throughout the year.
However, not everyone wants to go to other clubs to compete and enter into competitions. They just want to enjoy a lazy day by the lake, armed only with a few sandwiches and a flask (also perhaps an umbrella), run their craft around the water or perhaps help out with the maintenance of our wonderful private sailing facilities.
As a club, we participate in exhibiting our many variety of models at shows throughout the year, at venues such as The Essex Country Show at Barleylands Farm, Billericay and the Wings & Wheels Model Show at North Weald Airfield. Other members individually travel further and exhibit at the International Model Boat Show in Warickshire as part of the Surface Warship Association.
We also like to have a little extra fun from time to time, we do this by way of our Club 500 races. These are small inexpensive entry level fast electric speed boat models. They are a 'One Design' model meaning everyone has the same general set-up as each other, which "should" lead to a level playing field when racing. However, some people still manage to get just that little extra bit of speed out of their boat! Many of our members have a Club 500, as do members of other clubs that we visit. We have found that they provide that little extra bit of fun to our model boating events. Not interested in speed, not a problem, just sit back & watch the mayhem commence. It is certain that you'll enjoy yourself.
However, not everyone wants to go to other clubs to compete and enter into competitions. They just want to enjoy a lazy day by the lake, armed only with a few sandwiches and a flask (also perhaps an umbrella), run their craft around the water or perhaps help out with the maintenance of our wonderful private sailing facilities.
As a club, we participate in exhibiting our many variety of models at shows throughout the year, at venues such as The Essex Country Show at Barleylands Farm, Billericay and the Wings & Wheels Model Show at North Weald Airfield. Other members individually travel further and exhibit at the International Model Boat Show in Warickshire as part of the Surface Warship Association.
We also like to have a little extra fun from time to time, we do this by way of our Club 500 races. These are small inexpensive entry level fast electric speed boat models. They are a 'One Design' model meaning everyone has the same general set-up as each other, which "should" lead to a level playing field when racing. However, some people still manage to get just that little extra bit of speed out of their boat! Many of our members have a Club 500, as do members of other clubs that we visit. We have found that they provide that little extra bit of fun to our model boating events. Not interested in speed, not a problem, just sit back & watch the mayhem commence. It is certain that you'll enjoy yourself.
The majority of our scale model boats are working models built from kits. This is probably the best way to get started in the hobby as they can be constructed by people of all levels & abilities.
They can be made from a variety of materials from die-cut wood, with either strip wood or ply sheeting for cladding the hull or G.R.P. (glass reinforced plastic-fibreglass) pre-formed hulls with wood for the deck and superstructure or even A.B.S. plastic or vacuum formed Styrene hulls are also available with pre-printed or die-cut material for the deck etc.
If you prefer the traditional, some manufacturers still sell kits in traditional
wood.
Fittings have also undergone a revolution – changing from shaped pieces of wood and brass, to accurate mouldings in resin or white metal.
Some of our members shun kits as they want to build models that are unique. These can be models of their own design or exact replicas of a full size craft. This involves considerable research, contacting the ship builders, owners, operators and museums to obtain plans and photographs. Building time is also considerably longer as every part has to be made individually, but the satisfaction is in finishing up with a unique model. These are then shown off with pride at the various shows & exhibitions when our members are very happy to talk about them.
They can be made from a variety of materials from die-cut wood, with either strip wood or ply sheeting for cladding the hull or G.R.P. (glass reinforced plastic-fibreglass) pre-formed hulls with wood for the deck and superstructure or even A.B.S. plastic or vacuum formed Styrene hulls are also available with pre-printed or die-cut material for the deck etc.
If you prefer the traditional, some manufacturers still sell kits in traditional
wood.
Fittings have also undergone a revolution – changing from shaped pieces of wood and brass, to accurate mouldings in resin or white metal.
Some of our members shun kits as they want to build models that are unique. These can be models of their own design or exact replicas of a full size craft. This involves considerable research, contacting the ship builders, owners, operators and museums to obtain plans and photographs. Building time is also considerably longer as every part has to be made individually, but the satisfaction is in finishing up with a unique model. These are then shown off with pride at the various shows & exhibitions when our members are very happy to talk about them.
Whatever your interest or experience (or lack of it), we openly welcome beginners and juniors to our club. Our club members are only too happy to help with any questions newcomers may have and we have a wealth of experience amounst our members to cover just about any subject that could possibly come up!
As a member, you will have the exclusive use of our lake 24-7, with
barbecues and refreshments frequently served at organized events. Unfortunately we cannot run IC engined boats on our water, but this is the only restriction.
You will find us to be a very sociable club with members enjoying meeting up, at the lake side, for nothing more a bit of a chat.
Throughout the year we have organised social events like our club dinners. We also have organised days out. This can be a trip to almost anywhere within a days reach, although preferably we try not to go too far. The running theme is that the trips tend to involve a boat somewhere! Members usually are given a choice of alternative trips out to choose from and the most popular option is selected. We also have a BBQ day (or two!) during the summer with friends & family being most welcome.
As a member, you will have the exclusive use of our lake 24-7, with
barbecues and refreshments frequently served at organized events. Unfortunately we cannot run IC engined boats on our water, but this is the only restriction.
You will find us to be a very sociable club with members enjoying meeting up, at the lake side, for nothing more a bit of a chat.
Throughout the year we have organised social events like our club dinners. We also have organised days out. This can be a trip to almost anywhere within a days reach, although preferably we try not to go too far. The running theme is that the trips tend to involve a boat somewhere! Members usually are given a choice of alternative trips out to choose from and the most popular option is selected. We also have a BBQ day (or two!) during the summer with friends & family being most welcome.
If you would like further information about the Brentwood Model Boat Club please go to our 'Contact Us' page.
