IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production

This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.

IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.

The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.

This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging

One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.

The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.

Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout

Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.

Last Sunday KMBC held an open day focused on lifeboats
There was a great turnout and numerous other clubs joined the event.
Here are a few pictures that I took with my phone, I will post more as soon as I have downloaded and sorted those on my camera.

Had a nice meet today, albeit a little cool. (Nice break.) Got some photos I am posting here. (The close-up photos of the American Scout are posted in the Media Gallery.)

Lew
Suncoast Scale Model Boat Club
Florida, USA

It is taking a lot of work (like building another medium size detailed RC scale model boat), but I am getting the new site running. It is not complete but the basics are in place.

The opening video is also on YouTube with the link below. Short and to the point, it has model boat videos in it if you are interested.

Lew

A light turn out and heavier that normal winds limited the number of boats in the water at this meet. Got some video and for the boats that did not "go for it" I have some video of them on the tables. On top of that we had to make two "rescues".

Lew

Hi all, I thought I would Sher with you a few photos of my paddle steamer I have just Made! it is not from any plans! it came from my head!!! I hope you Like? Brian.

Stunning weather most model boaters would be jealous of. Warm, but not hot! Very gentle breeze. No rain! But not many showed up. Wait 'till the summer comes" No complaints about it being too hot for model boats!

Anyway, I wanted to get back to my trawler with another video. This time on board with my old GoPro. Had some issues with the battery packs slipping inside the hull. I'm going to remove the one for the lighting as I don't use them anyway. Then I will add some fixed ballast in the bottom. The video with the camera (and waterproof housing) on the top of the pilot house made the boat heel quite a bit. Going to try for some more on board videos in the near future on my other boats.

Got the 4 minute YouTube link here:
I hope you enjoy it!

Lew

SSMBC - although a little windy, only four members showed up. The wonderful temperature and no rain was great. I decide to run my trawler, "Elena", which has not seen the pond in over five years. It handled the wind quite well and is perhaps my best operating boat for rough conditions. I know there is a limit with that much above the deck to catch the wind, but I must admit this was a very good run with a little challenge!

I hope you all enjoy the short video.

Lew

Finally our first meet of 2026! Very unusual weather for us, like the rest of the country. Normally we might miss 1 or 2 weekends during the winter season but this was our first meet since December.

This would have been a great perfect day was hampered by wind, a little much for many smaller boats. Also a lot of dead fish around the pond, probably caused by a lack of oxygen because of a lack of rain. We are in the middle of a drought, but it is supposed to rain tonight.

Lew

Tonight the Confederation model boat club is having the last meeting of 2025 and we are bringing models with a Christmas theme.

Absolutely stunning weather for this meet. It just doesn't get any better than this. After a long hot summer, the perfect day. No sweating, no rain, no clouds, no wind, just a gentle breeze. No bugs, snakes, gators, tourists.

Boats ran well, No need to have a rescue or get the long pole out. Perfect for scale model boaters (except for the guy that forgot his batteries.)

Lew