Local Ship Model Clubs

[Note that some email addresses are formatted in an attempt to protect the contacts from bots and spammers. Replace “at” with “@” and “dot” with “.” and take out the spaces.]

For the time being, due to Covid-19 issues, most or all of these clubs may not be meeting at present, though some have adopted a Zoom meeting format. Check with them directly for access.

Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights – contact Leo Kane, kanebulota at comcast dot net. Meets 9:30am on the 3rd Saturday of every month aboard the Ferry Boat Eureka in the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Website is: http://hspms.org.

South Bay Model Shipwrights – contact Jim Rhetta, j.rhetta at yahoo dot com. Meets at 7:30pm on the 3rd Friday (check with them on the schedule as it sometimes has to be on a different Friday) of every month at the Los Altos Library. Website is: https://sbmodelships.com.

Red Oak Victory Model Shipwrights – contact Tom Bottomley, bottomleythomas at aol dot com. Meets at 10:00 am on the second Saturday of every month in the Petty Officers Mess aboard the Red Oak Victory at Pt. Richmond.

Redwood Empire Model Shipwrights – contact Richard Lemme, redbaronwings at aol dot com. Meets at 10:00 am on the first Saturday at the Fundemonium store in Rhonert Park.

Bay Area Maritime Related Museums

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park Visitor Center A nice collection of models on display, and more. 499 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 Phone: (415) 447-5000. Also, at Hyde Street Pier, you can visit the ship modelers’ workshop and see the small display of boat models aboard the ferry boat Eureka.

Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum A small but interesting collection of models related to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, plus historical artifacts from the shipyard and the city of Vallejo. 734 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 Phone: (707) 643-0077 email: valmuse@pacbell.net

Mare Island Museum A small museum containing artifacts from Mare Island’s more than 140 year history as a U.S. Navy shipyard – the first on the Pacific coast. Emphasis is from WWII through the closing of the base in 1996. 1100 Railroad Avenue, Vallejo, CA 94592 Phone: (707) 557-1538

San Mateo County Historical Museum While not a maritime related museum, this local attraction houses the collection of late ship modeler Charlie Parsons. They’ve done a beautiful job displaying his works, which fill one room of the museum. His works are all scratch built and truly outstanding. 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 Phone: (650) 299-0104 email: info@historysmc.org

Recommended Hobby Shops

This listing is a result of polling local ship modelers. It is not comprehensive and is limited to stores that generally carry at least some wooden ship or boat model kits in addition to supplies and tools.

Fundemonium at 579 Rohnert Park Express Way, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Phone: (707) 540-0701. A huge store designed to supply all kinds of hobbies and toys and provide activity space for all ages. Fundemonium serves as the meeting place for the Redwood Empire Model Shipwrights, and has hobby tools, supplies, and some boat and ship kits. Website: https://www.fundemoniumtoys.com

Berkeley ACE Hardware at 2145 University Ave, Berkeley. Phone: (510) 845-0410. Has hobby tools, supplies, mostly model RR stuff, but a few ship/boat kits.

Doll Houses, Trains and More at 300 Entrada Drive, Novato. Phone: (415) 883-0388. Has hobby tools, supplies, and a few ship/boat kits.

Hobbies Unlimited at 937 Manor Blvd, San Leandro. Phone: (510) 351-7112. Has a huge stock of plastic kits. They carry RC boat model kits and also a selection of Artesania Latina ship model kits as well. Website is http://www.hobbiesunlimited.net

Marin Hobby & Gifts at 224 Greenfield Ave, Ste 2, San Anselmo. Formerly Dauth Hobbies, a general hobby store with a few ship kits. Phone: (415) 454-3087. Their website at http://www.marinhobby.com doesn’t seem to be working, but they have an active Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/marinhobby

Ages of Sail 676 Bockman Rd, Unit B & C, San Lorenzo. Phone: (510) 889-6000. Actually the store front for a mail order shop and importer of ship model kits and fittings. Carries almost all product lines except for Model Shipways and A.J. Fisher. Has both static and R/C kits, and a full range of ship model fittings. Website is http://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/combo-sets.html

Hobby Lobby 1280 Willow Pass Rd, Concord. Phone: (925) 246-9915. Also 7050 Amador Plaza Road, Dublin. Phone (925) 875-9956. Carries some plastic model kits and even some Midwest wood model boat kits, though these are now out of production. Carries Vallejo paints and a small selection of hobby tools, airbrushes. Plus basic hobby wood, artist paints and brushes and other useful items.

Shops with Completed Ship Models

Frank’s Fisherman on Fisherman’s Wharf. 366 Jefferson St SF. (415) 775-1165. Talk to Ken or Ron and tell them that Clare sent you. Ask about my model of the War of 1812 privateer, Lively.