Monterey Clipper

Harbor Models is proud to offer its version of the "Monterey Clipper", a double-ended fishing boat. These fascinating two-man vessels were used by fishermen to catch Sardines and larger fish for the packers in the hey-days of Cannery Row in Monterey California. These boats were originally propelled by an ancient triangular sail design, used by Mediterranean fishermen for hundreds of years. At the beginning of the 20th century, Italian immigrants thought this design was perfect for the under powered boats as the "pointy" stern streamlined the vessel and allowed to go faster. Also, the waves popping the stern would not easily kick the boat off course.

When a new boat was needed, the fishermen would meet with boatwrights near the present site of the famous Aliotos Restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The boatwright would draw out the basic hull behind the Wharf buildings. The details were then decided between the boatwright and fisherman. This casual design approach meant that no two boats were exactly alike.

The keel and stem were hand hewn and the ribs and plaking were cypress and cedar. However, the resulting plank on frame construction was not water proof. To correct this, the hull was droped in the water so that the wood could swell up and seal the cracks. The hull was then recovered and the boat finished off.

Many of the fittings and hardware was found at junk yards and the Hicks engine tailpipe typically came froman old car. Poor engineering of the 7 horsepower engine necessitated the use of a large open flywheel to reduce excessive vibration. The roof of the cabin enclosing the engine was typically at the nose level of the pilot. This allowed him to see over the cabin while gaining some protection from rough seas as he stood up to work the tiller.

THIS KIT IS PERFECT FOR THE FIRST TIME BUILDER WITH ITS STRAIGHT FORWARDD CONSTRUCTION. THE EXPERIENCED MODELER CAN MAKE NUMBEROUS ADDITIONS TO THE MODEL WHILE ASSURING AN AUTHENTIC LOOK. ADVENTURESOME BUILDERS CAN USE DOLL HOUSE ACCESSORIES TO ADD A SPECIAL LOOK AND AMBIENCE. INCLUDED IN THE KIT ARE FULL-SIZE PLANS WITH SIMPLE BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS AND TIPS ON DESIGN MODIFICATIONS.

THE STURDY FIBERGLASS HULL AND DECK DESIGN ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR BEAMS AND BULKHEADS. THE HULL HAS RUB STRAKES THAT WERE ALWAYS PAINTED IN A COLORFUL CONTRASTING SCHEME. THE FIBERGLASS DECK INCLUDES THE BULWORKS AND GUNWHALES THAT FIT OVER THE TOP EDGE OF THE HULL INTERIOR. THE DECK ALSO HAS A WOOD PLANK EFFECT FOR EASY PAINTING AND DETAILING.

THE FORWARD STORAGE CABIN AND ENGINE CABIN ARE AIRCRAFT QUALITY PLYWOOD. ALSO INCLUDED ARE A BOW SPRIT, MAST, WINDOW GLAZING, PORTHOLES AND CAST POLYMER RUDDER POST AND TILLER. THE RUDDER MOVEMENT IS CONTROLLED BY THE STEERING SOLUTION PULLY SYSTEM, ONLY AVAILABLE FROM HARBOR MODELS.

FITTINGS KIT

THE FITTINGS KIT INCLUDES A DRINKING WATER KEG, TWO FISH, FISHING POLES, TIRE FENDERS, RUNNING LIGHTS, “FLYING” SEAGULLS, CLEATS, CAST POLYMER HICKS ENGINE WITH ROTATING FLYWHEEL, AND A UNIQUE 6” TALL FISHERMAN FIGURE, ALL AT 1/12 SCALE.