During my nearly 60 year career, I have worked to master all the skills and techniques for creating ship models in a wide variety of forms. Perhaps the most artistic and compelling presentation is the waterline ship model. There are intimidating aesthetic and technical challenges to be faced and mastered in creating such a work of art.”

 I have five criteria for building a successful waterline model:

1. The whole presentation must give a convincing picture of a sailing ship at sea. It must be composed, much like a painting, with all the elements working together as a unified whole. This means the aesthetic and technical aspects must be accurate and true to the ship and the setting.  

2. The ship must be accurately made, with all the aspects true to scale.

3. The model must have a realistic sea, carved and painted as appropriate for the conditions depicted.

4. The model must have realistic sails, set for the specific conditions in which the ship is depicted.

 5. Miniature-Scale Crew (working the ship): It is surprising how many modelers leave the crew off a waterline model. They are essential to completing the illusion of an actual ship under sail.