Darren May's blog

RC Boat Models Are For All Ages

The hobby of collecting model ships is a relaxing and entertaining one. Not only that, but it also provides historical and cultural insight. Calling model ship collecting the perfect hobby doesn't seem too farfetched with this in mind. Collecting model ships remains a worldwide hobby. Since the very first ship was built there have been model boats to commemorate this immense leap for humanity. Ship models make excellent toys for children, great aesthetic nautical decorations for the household, and unique gifts for those people in your life who you are unsure of what to get come the holidays.

RC model boats remain very popular collectibles for model ship hunters. These RC model boats have varying aesthetic differences as well as technological differences from one another. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of what to look for before you go diving head first into collecting RC model boats.

Namely, as a beginning model ship collector you should make sure to start with the simpler models first. Electric model boats are great models for taking out to a small pond or lake and enjoying until they need a fresh charge.

However fun they are, using an electric RC model boat extensively can have an impact on the electric bill. Nitro powered RC boats, however, do not require electric charging. The cost of nitro RC boats may prove lower over time thanks to not running up your electric bill. Furthermore, with nitro powered RC model boats you will not have to worry about charging your model boat after every use.

Nitro RC boats can be much louder than electric models. Electric models also reassure us in our search for alternative fuel sources.

Whatever RC model boats you settle on purchasing, remember these tips: A) read the manual completely; and 2) look for local model ship groups to join.

Nitro powered RC boats are notoriously faster model boats than electric powered RC units. With that said, owning a nitro fueled model ship will require a large body of water to take advantage of its full speed. You will find that with not a big enough water playground for your nitro model to run it isn't as much fun. On the other hand, if you live by a small pond or other small body of water, then an electric RC model boat is definitely enough.

While there are many differences between electric and nitro powered boats, they are the same in that they both need a 2-channel radio control system that of either the "pistol" or "stick" variety. While they differ in many key areas, electric and nitro powered RC boats are both very good model ships to start off your collection.

Choosing The Perfect RC Boat Model
Why RC Boats
RC Boat Models Are For All Ages

The Art Of The Sextant

The sextant detailed a great step in the history of navigation. Centuries after its conception, the sextant continues to be a valued tool to traditional navigators. However, the introduction of the sextant required an evolutionary process of its own. The sextant was made to evolve slowly due to the many innovations that had to come before it. In spite of this, even the sextant would meet its match against modern day navigation technologies. True to this, modern day sextants are outclassed by the global positioning system, though old school navigators criticize GPS for its many faults.

Before the sextant there were a long list of other navigational aids that helped sailors find their way around. Way before the first sextant was invented, sailors learned how to use Polaris to travel back and from home port. The Arabs in particular were proficient in using this technique. To aid them, the Arabs used what is known as a "Kamal". The Kamal used a short rope and an object that placed Polaris and the horizon on the top and bottom respectively. In the rope, the navigator tied a knot that aligned the distance between Polaris and horizon. The return home from a voyage prompted the navigators to adjust their sailing path to bring them back to the position in which they measured Polaris and the horizon.

The Arabs introduced the Europeans to two vital navigational aids that would help in the creation of the sextant. The two instruments in question were the astrolabe and the quadrant. The astrolabe was a revolutionary sea travelling device as it could retain its position in relation to the fickle conditions that betray our senses at sea. Because of this, the astrolabe saw over 200 years of use. The astrolabe works by using a scale and alidade with sighting pinnules. The altitude of the celestial object is then gauged by viewing through the sighting pinnules and using the alidade.

The next instrument before the sextant was the quadrant. The quadrant was used to great extent by the Portuguese in particular. Christopher Columbus was one such Portuguese explorer who used the quadrant to find his way around the seas. The quadrant was used similar to the Kamal, by marking off Polaris and recording the alturas (latitude). The publishing of the alturas gave sailors a guide to travelling the coasts of Europe and Africa.

As the needs of nautical exploration arose, so did the need for a navigational instrument that was accurate and reliable. The sextant required that a lot of work be accomplished first before it could be used properly. For instance, there had to be an almanac which included the location of celestial objects and bodies in relation to our planet at every single hour of every single day for countless years. Not to mention that there had to be something that could accurately measure time. The latter was called a chronometer. The plotting and charting of maps was done by a cartographer. A mathematical formula for relating a celestial body with the horizon and navigator's position was also necessary. With all of these key components filled, the sextant was the final piece in the navigational puzzle.

Sextants - An Important Part Of Maritime History
Sextants - An Important Part Of Maritime History
Sextants - An Important Part Of Maritime History

Accenting The Home Or Office With Ship Wheels

Thinking about sprucing up your ordinary room, home, or even office with the beauty of the ocean? Nautical decorations can be found in all types on the Internet. Specifically, there are many replicas of ship wheels that make excellent nautical decorations. Ship wheels made of top quality are made from a wood called shisham, which has teak-like durability and is polished in the center. There are plenty of nautical decor sites online that sell ship wheels as small as 15 inches and as big as 60 inches across. Nautical decor items such as ship wheel clocks are made the best materials available, and handcrafted by master artisans. Nautical decorations such as authentic ship wheels are positively great for finishing out a model ship collector's room. Among all of the nautical ship wheel decorations online, there are sure to be a couple that catch your eye.

The Importance of Ship Wheels

Ship Wheels have been around since the early 18th century. When they first came into existence they were used on the deck of the ship near the rudder and the captain was always exposed to the elements. Eventually with the introduction of the steam ship, the ship wheel was moved inside to the bridge, where it was much easier and safer for the captain to navigate. Ship wheels serve as great symbols of the nautical culture. Ship wheel clocks in particular are excellent gifts for nautical lovers. Ship wheel clocks make cool decorative items for the home, the office, and seafood restaurants in particular.

The ship wheel's importance dates back several centuries. You can feel the power of the ocean surging through your hands when behind the helm of a ship. The experience of such power is a mind altering state that connects sailor and ship to the sea. Ship wheels are a very important part of navigating the open seas, as well as an important aspect of symbolizing the nautical culture. As such, ship wheels have been the inspiration behind many nautical decorations in the nautical enthusiast culture. There are many different kinds of designs for ship wheel nautical decorations. For example, wooden ship wheel clocks are very popular nautical decor items. Wooden ship wheel clocks make great nautical wall decorations around the home. Such wooden ship wheels go great on the entrance to a nautical themed room as a symbol of what is behind the door.

Ship Wheel Decor

The ship wheel clock is a wonderful add-on to any model ship collectors nautical room. Authentic ship wheels can be found online at many reputable dealers. Having a ship wheel clock in your nautical room is practically tradition in the hobby of nautical craft. Because of this, there are several ship wheel decorations that can be hung from the wall, such as the ship wheel clock. Searching online for ship wheels is one of the most effective ways to attain your nautical decorative ship wheel. When searching online, looking for nautical decor ship wheels that are crafted to be as close in resemblance to the real thing as possible.

Ship Wheels - Excellent in Any Room
Adding Ship Wheels To Any Room
Accenting The Home Or Office With Ship Wheels

Nautical Clocks Are Perfect For The Home Or Office

Collecting vintage items is a thrilling experience which leads to many meaningful connections. Hunting for valuable vintage items is a satisfying experience that cannot be compared with the simple routine of shopping. Vintage items like clothing, furniture, films, or clocks can be found in thrift stores with an exciting tale to go along with your purchase. Rather than: "Oh, I bought this at IKEA"; your story can go a little something like: "There I was...at a gypsy yard sale, where everything except the yard was being sold, when I noticed it...wedged in between a Billy Idol vinyl and a Candy Land board game." Which story sounds more appealing? The one about going to a popular store and standing in line, or the one about a chance finding in the unlikeliest of situations?

There are several hobbies, such as model ship collecting, that have a lot of vintage items. Searching for vintage nautical decor will bring you to new places with new people, and great stories to tell. Vintage clocks are one of the most sought after vintage nautical decorations, and with good reason. Nautical clocks date back many centuries, playing an important role in the history of sea travel. Searching for a historic nautical clock may involve physically traveling, or at the very least intensely scouring the Internet. With each vintage clock you find there will be a back story that goes along with it. Cracks and other defects will have to be accepted as the norm when you choose to go vintage. Such a mark may come with its own story from the people who owned the vintage clock before you. I think that many vintage hunters will agree that vintage clocks with cracks have more character than does those which are unscathed. These vintage clocks are perfect for nautical gifts, wall decor and perhaps beach house decor.

Now, you ask, "where can I find a vintage clock?" Hmm, how about everywhere? How does that saying go again - "the world is your oyster"? Well, when it comes to finding historic and vintage clocks, then the entire world is at your feet. Begin by checking with your neighbors to see if they have any vintage clocks they might not even know about. Print and post flyers around your town inquiring about vintage clocks. If your search proves unsuccessful, you will have at least met new people in the process! Another way to go about it is to use the Internet to your advantage. Manipulate Craigslist and Google to your advantage! Search engines like Google or Bing will take you to the highest ranking vintage clock sites online. The world is at your fingertips, and the vintage clocks you want are that much closer! Find out more about tropical home decor.