Midwest Products 983 Static Display Apprentice Boat Model Crafts Kit, Intermediate, Sakonnet Daysailer

A rewarding build. Patience required but the kit is made well . Pride upon completion. Not for a child without close supervision.

This model is much harder to put together than I thought it would be. It takes days of doing one step, allowing glue to dry and returning to the next step. In addition. bending the balsa to fit the curves of the hull is challenging.I would not recommend this for a child, as it would take a great deal of parental assistance. I am learning a great deal about the boat as I assemble, but it is only for the patient.

LOVE IT!!!!

Challenging. This is my fourth Midwest model and the one I have had the most problems with (though I got around them). Don't start with this one if you have not built this type of model before - look for a skill level 1 model, like the Skiff or the Flattie.Edit - I am knocking off a star after finishing the model. I think there are a couple of things wrong with the instructions. Don't put the trim on the edge of the deck until AFTER you have finished painting the hull or you will never get it looking neat. I ended up adding additional trim boards to cover the goofs. Also, it is _very_ difficult to get the sides of the hull smooth. I ended up buying epoxy-based paint (the kind made for real boats) and building up multiple layers. Finally, the instructions say to glue the edges of the sails to the masts and yards. This is terrible advice - especially using CA glue. it won't stay fastened and/or will look bad. I put holes along the edges of the sails and loosely laced additional line through the holes and around the mast and yards - the approach taken with other Midwest models. The stand is ugly, too but it is easy to build a replacement.

This kit is typical of Midwest kits. The instructions are good, the wood is mostly precut, and the fittings are very nice. I am building the kit now and enjoying the build. I am new to building wooden models and need more experience to build a first class model but what I have completed looks pretty good- even with the mistakes I made. I would recommend this or any other Midwest kit to any skill level.

There were a number of parts missing from the original package, but when I called, they were very pleasant and ended up sending me a complete new kit. Great service, but this kit is not for novices!!! But great fun all the same!