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Seahorse Paper Models Now Available

June 11, 2026 No Comments

Ages of Sail has recently added a new line of paper model kits from the Polish publisher Seahorse. This publisher specializes in sailing era craft, of mostly less common subjects. Modelers who frequent online forums such as Papermodeler.com or ModelShipWorld.com will recognize the amazing work of the designer Tomasz Weremko, who has created many wonderful kits for the paper model publisher WAK. Tomasz has since stepped up his game, creating amazing kits and accessory sets through his own company, Seahorse.

All the kits we sell are his complete sets, so they include not just the basic paper model kit, but also the accompanying laser-cut frames sets, masting sets, and any related sail sets, cannon sets, resin block sets, etc. We are hoping that by introducing them on our store, we’ll give Tomasz a wider audience that can discover and appreciate his amazing model kits.

If you’ve never built a paper model kit before, we recommend you start with a simpler kit. Seahorse kits are each classified by difficulty levels, from 1, the easiest, to 5, being very difficult. While they don’t currently produce any level 1 kits at this time, three of the kits we carry are Level 2 kits.

Vistula Barge

You might want to consider this 1/100-scale, late 18th century Vistula Barge. It has an easy hull shape, a single mast and sail, but plenty of detail to build into a very interesting model, about 20″ long.

For an investment of only around $30, this is an inexpensive way to check out the quality of these model kits. The only additional material you’ll need to supply is the rigging line, which is not provided in these sets. We suggest adding a selection of the finest Amati rigging line sizes we carry, such as 0.10mm, 0.25mm, 0.5mm, and 0.75mm natural hemp line (you can always stain them black if you need to):

Amati 0.10mm beige rigging line

Amati 0.25mm beige rigging line

Amati 0.50mm beige rigging line

Amati 0.75mm beige rigging line

Note, this is just a suggested sample of the line that we carry that may be helpful to your build. The exact sizes recommended in the kit instructions will vary, and are just a suggestion as well. You may also find that larger sizes, or commercially available sewing thread may be useful for some of the rigging needs. It all depends on the exact kit. But, the selection listed above should give you a good start.

Whichever Seahorse kit you try out, we think you’re in for an amazing experience! Check them all out here. Ω

A Close Look at Vanguard Models’ 3D Printed Royal/Admiral’s Barge Kit

January 12, 2026 No Comments

We’ve just started stocking these amazingly detailed 3D printed ship’s boats kits from Vanguard Models. These kits are almost entirely in 1/64 scale to match Vanguard Models’ larger wooden ship model kits. But, unlike their wooden ship’s boat kits, these have most of the hard work done for you, and should compliment your ship models nicely.

The available 3D printed boats are similar to the selection of wooden ship’s boat kits produced by Vanguard Models, but not exactly the same. The designs also appear to vary a bit between the two lines, so, for example, the 18′ cutter in wood has a slightly different appearance from an 18′ cutter that’s been 3D printed. We haven’t done an in depth look at all the kits, but it’s good to understand that there may be differences between the two lines.

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Bluejacket’s U.S. Revenue Cutter Kit

October 11, 2025 No Comments

A Beginning Solid Hull Kit from Bluejacket Shipcrafters

Bluejacket is arguably the oldest wood ship model kit manufacturer in America. Horace Boucher, a naval architect employed by the U.S. Navy, and who ran the Navy’s model shops in Washington D.C., founded his own company after leaving government service in 1905. Eventually, his ship model company that would be named Bluejacket, which carries on his tradition of making fine scale wooden ship model kits of popular American subjects.
 
The Revenue Cutter, 1815, is a 1:48 scale (1/4”=1’) wooden ship model kit of a small 31-ton schooner designed by naval architect William Doughty for use by the U.S. Revenue-Marine, established in 1790 and later to become the U.S. Coast Guard. This vessel was of the smallest of three Doughty designs for a 1-ton revenue cutter. These small, very fast ships served to suppress smuggling and piracy, and were based on the very American design of what was known as the Baltimore Clipper. Much information and many drawings of this and other American revenue cutters can be found in the book The History of American Sailing Ships, by Howard Chapelle.
 

Bluejacket’s Kit

Bluejacket’s U.S. Revenue cutter is a small, but detailed kit, with many small sheets of laser-cut wooden parts, photo-etched brass and highly detailed cast Britannia metal fittings. The kit features a solid basswood hull, a detailed laser-cut and laser etched deck,  dowels for masts and spars, three full-scale sheets of plans, a detailed instruction book in English, with many photo illustrations, plus all the necessary accessories, including rigging line, wire, color printed flags, and parts to construct a nice wooden stand. This kit is ideal for beginning wooden sailing ship modelers, but also makes for a great small project for more experienced builders as well.

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Inside Shipyard Laser-Cut Model Kits

September 27, 2025 No Comments

What’s in a Shipyard Laser-Cut Kit?

Shipyard is a Polish company that produced many very high quality paper model kits of ships, lighthouses, and a few related structures. In addition, they make a number of laser-cut card model kits as well, mostly of the same subjects as many of their paper kits, but at a slightly larger scale.

Many ship modelers have been building wooden ship model kits and pretty much know what to expect in a wooden kit. Most either provide either a solid pre-shaped hull, or a set of bulkheads use to build up the shape of the hull, which must be covered with wooden planking strips. But, what about paper kits? Or in this case, what about Shipyard’s laser-cut ship model kits?

We thought we’d take a moment to show the contents of one of the simpler Shipyard laser-cut kits, in this case, the French lugger Le Coureur, 1776. The ship itself is famous for being involved in the first French naval engagement against the British during the American War of Independence. The ship sailed in company with the frigate La Belle Poule, when they were engaged by the British frigate HMS Arethusa and the cutter HMS Alert. While Arethusa engaged La Belle Poule, HMS Alert went after the more lightly armed Le Coureur. The French ship was outclassed by her main opponent, and after 90-minutes of fighting, Le Coureur was captured by the Alert.

However, the engagement allowed La Belle Poule to fight only one opponent, rather than two, and Belle Poule managed a tactical victory against HMS Arethusa, doing significant damage to her before escaping.

 

The Shipyard Kit

Shipyard’s laser-cut card kits come packaged in plain cardboard boxes, about 20″ x 14″ x 2″ thick. These folded boxes are very sturdy, and have printed paper covers glued to the front, back and sides. This seems to be more than adequate, and seems flexible and cost-effective for the manufacturer. The whole thing is protected by a clear plastic sleeve that encloses the box.

 

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17th Century Dutch Pinas Cross-Section Kit

September 16, 2025 No Comments

Just in – Kolderstok’s 17th Century Dutch Pinas Cross-Section Model Kit

The latest kit from Kolderstok is now in stock at Ages of Sail: 17th Century Dutch Pinas Cross-Section Model Kit.

This is a transverse section of a 17th-century Dutch pinas, including 3 pieces of armament and authentic blocks. Designed after the original 17th-century description by Nicolaes Witsen.

The pinas was a transverse-rigged merchantman, relatively slender in shape and easy to sail. It was frequently used by the then Republic of the Netherlands for trade voyages all over the world. The ship could carry a large amount of trading goods, but was also equipped with plentiful armament, to protect itself and her cargo against potential enemies.

 

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Welcome to the New Ages of Sail Shop!

September 16, 2025 1 Comment

Welcome to the New Ages of Sail Shop!

We’re proud to bring you the widest selection of wooden ship model kits, fittings, tools, and supplies possible. From trusted American manufacturers to the finest brands from across the world, our store is built for hobbyists and modelers at every level. Whether you’re starting your very first kit or adding to a lifetime collection, you’ll always find something new to inspire your next project.

With the new shop comes our new blog that’s more closely integrated with our shop. Now, when you read posts about products, you don’t have to go searching for it, as you’re right here in the shop!

If you have any questions or run into any problems with our site, please feel free to use the reply form below. Also let us know if there’s any features we might be able to add to our site that might be of benefit to builders and customers.

Thank you!

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