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.

If Professor Pat can do it...so can I...lol.. The history of boating spans millennia, evolving from dugout canoes and rafts in prehistory to sophisticated vessels powered by steam and advanced engines. Early boats, appearing around 10,000 years ago, were used for fishing and coastal travel, with Egyptians developing reed and wooden boats for transport and trade by 4000 BCE. Over centuries, innovations like the Viking longboat, the Chinese junk with its rudder, and the Dutch yacht transformed seafaring, eventually leading to the Age of Exploration and the flourishing of yachting as a recreational pursuit in the 17th century. Modern boating integrates electronic systems, computer-aided design, and emerging eco-friendly propulsion, reflecting its continuous adaptation.

This is a slideshow of day 3 in the pavilion when all the boats were in (first vid was set-up day and only about 70% had arrived) By this stage, over 10.000 people had been through. I came down on the bus to take these pics (round trip 72km) went back home, picked up the car and trailer, came back down at 6pm Sunday and picked up the boat. All round a 216km trip (city and back 3 times, well worth the effort though.
JB
wouldn't load before, seems to be loading now.

Was invited to take my restored 1970s 12ft racing yacht (red and white one-93 at 1:3) down to put in the display this afternoon, at the Viaduct Event Center In Auckland, and decided to get some pics of the boats on and off water before the crowds come over the next 3 days. Lots of beautiful restored yachts and launches, as well as smaller racing and sailing dinghies. A couple of NZ designed and built Chris Craft copies inside as well. Also steam launches and a few models.

The boat at 1:54 and 3:12 does not have the usual V8 as you would expect, but has a 4 cyl Mercruiser motor, not as the drive motor, but as a generator running 3 high output alternators powering an electrical system for twin electric motors, (round black objects seen in pic, in front of petrol motor). Shafts run each side of petrol motor, Has large control boards on each side for each motor. Boat and laminated wooden trailer designed and built by the owner, Took 2000hrs to build,- absolutely immaculate workmanship.
Also a short vid on an Auckland ferry trip I took while waiting for the liner Queen Victoria to
depart
JB

Others may wish to consider building a dory too. I got the plans for mine from John Gardner’s book “ The Dory Book”, it’s available from The Wooden Boats store.

https://www.woodenboatstore.com

Bow all shaped wooden hull and upper structure is sealed. Hull has been covered with glass fibre. Ready for sanding and primer.

Hello everyone, I hope things are absolutely great in your neck of the woods...A great tug like this one being constructed in the local Toluca Lake shipyards, needs a good radar. I have gone with the @indows 95 look. I am also fully committed to adding some wooden IKEA sliding doors, they will be well-balanced, with a "fingertip touch" when I am through. I am following through with similar swung doors on the captain's cabin.

I have taken the old wooden hatch cover off to find out what was inside there was something that moved around when you tilted the boat found the end of a hand made brass anchor and the remains of some sort of leaf or plant the joints are sealed with tar the inside has been carved out i find it very strange that the two items were sealed up inside i think it is very old possible the 1900

Made This out of plastic pipe and a piece of 15mm copper pipe and 4 wooden plugs plus wheels off a golf trolley will be keeping the rest of the golf frame as a future transporter

Taped some plastic on the hull to protect it and took it for a skid round the back yard, (you can see boredom is setting in😀). Can't wait to try it on the big sports fields (maybe bolt some wheels on it😁) and the big estuary down the road. Bit loud at the mo due to the wooden prop. More than enough power! Could do with more rudder travel and maybe a bit more area.