What is a "Practicum"; what are available?

Could any one please explain just what the heck a practicum is. How do they work? How much do they cost? What does one get.? Are they any good?
Is it anything like the web based demonstrations I seen on the SMA and Lumberyard sites. If so what guarantee is there that the course will be completed?
{Mark Greene}
A practicum is a step by step treatise on building a particular model of a ship. Currently there are many practicums in progress ranging from Bob Hunt's Constitution series for the kit builder to David Antscherl's (and mine) advanced three year scratch building course on building a Swan class vessel.

As for guarantees there are none that either the practicum will be completed or the builder will complete his/her model. For the former one must evaluate the credentials and reputation of the instructor; for the latter one must make a realistic assessment of his/her own skills.
{Greg Herbert, D.V.M.}

Well, I can give you part of the answer. A practicum is a tutorial that takes you step by step through the building of a model.

I suppose I'm qualified to say that the practicum I'm writing can't give you a cast-iron guarantee of completion because I don't know if the grim reaper may tap me on the shoulder before I'm through. However, there's a reasonable prospect of completion because a) I'm relatively young and b) in reasonable health. I also look both ways before crossing a road.

But, back to the practicum itself. The 'Swan' class practicum takes you through the building of a ship-rigged sloop of the 1770's from the keel up, in sufficient detail down to the last bolt. It is intended for experienced modelers, and should satisfy the most critical.

There are several other practicums out there by other authors. I will leave it to other listees here to give you what their opinions are on the value and usefulness of either my own or others' work.
{David Antscherl}

Tho' I'm a relative newbie, my experience factor has increased significantly because of my participation in several Practicums. There are several currently available, of different formats and for different experience levels. Basically, they are a written step-by-minutia step instruction sets as to how a particular model was actually built by the author. The theory being that the participant following such tiny steps would produce a very acceptable model at the end of the line. Fr. Romero has produced and has still available several, ranging from the Confederacy, Fubbs, to the Warrior. which has an on-line Practicum group similar to this SSL to mutually cuss and discuss each question that may occur in real time, and share problems and successes. Then there's a totally integrated interactive approach taken by author Bob Hunt, with the Model Shipways Constitution and Armed Virginia Sloop kits. Members of his practicums receive monthly CD plus participation in the private on-line interactive discussion group.

One usually gets either a CD or series of CD with the step by step instructions, wood lists, or kit scrutiny, tools suggested, and techniques offered, plus a plethora of photos and drawings, hints, and tips.. or... printed instruction sets, ranging from several hundred pages to over a thousand ore more.

I personally have found all three approaches extremely useful and more than worth the price and effort in personal experience gained. These folks, like many on this list, have done it all before, and willingly share the pitfalls and solutions to those of use so eager to learn..

Price ranges from about "free" to $65 to $135 complete. The Warrior, a huge multi-year undertaking, has 3 volumes already issued at 500 - 600 or more pages available at $80 each , with a 4th coming as the author proceeds in his construction. These larger plank/frame practicums use the Hahn or Portia techniques of hull construction.

Mark, I am sorry for this lengthy dissertation, but your question IS IMPORTANT to many of us newbies, and needed a full answer - since in my opinion, Practicums are the way to go!!!!

I've attached a few links for your perusal. Hope you find them as enlightening as I have!!!!!
{Ron Romanski}

List of known Practicums:

{Ron Romanski}
Note: It's not clear if the HMS Warrior (0f 1781) is the same as the HMS Warrior Practicum listed under Fr. Romero.
This is a list of the current available Practicum, it's website and basic costs.
  1. David Antscherl:
    The 'Swan' class Practicum $100/year for 3 years ($300.00 total) Practicum, $173.00 plans, 125.00 wood package (Requires a preac saw) (in progress)
  2. Father Romero's:
    Fair American (no longer available)
    Confederacy $149.00 Shipped book only (thru the Good Reverend only)
    HMS Fubbs $100.00 shipped book only (in progress)
    HMS Warrior 87.50 shipped per book 5 books total $437.50 (in progress)
  3. Gilles Korent:
    Le Gros Ventre $150.00 + S/H From Pier Books (recently started)
    Woodstrip Canoe 30.00 US 55.00 Lumberyard wood package
  4. Bob Hunt Lauck Street Shipyard
    College of Model Shipbuilding (all prices include S/H)
    1. Model Shipway's kit, Armed Virginia Sloop (freshman level) $90.00 30.00/qtr (completed)
    2. Kammerlander kit, Duke William (freshman level) $70.00 35.00/qtr
    3. Model Shipway's kit, USS Constitution (sophomore level) $120.00 30.00/qtr (complete)
    4. Model Shipway's kit, USS Constitution rigging $50.00 (complete)
    5. Mamoli kit, Rattlesnake (junior level) $105.00 35.00/qtr (In Progress)
    6. Panart kit #738, HMS Victory (senior level) $240.00 30.00/qtr (In Progress)
    7. Harold Hahn's Hannah (scratchbuilt/graduate level) $150.00 30.00/qtr 42.00 plans (from Mr. Hahn) (Lumberyard wood package available) (In Progress)
    8. Bonhomme Richard (scratchbuilt/custom POF) (Jean Boudroit's 1/4 (1:48) scale monograph required 300.00 used if available) $30.00/qtr (starts Jan 2005)
    9. Ships Boats 25.00 (complete)
    10. Silver Solder Brazing 25.00 (complete)
This would help anyone wanting to know how to find them and adjudge if it's something they would like to explore.
{Elmer Gilman, David Antscherl}
The Lexington Practicum is a not-for-profit teaching/learning group designed to study and model the Continental Navy Brigantine Lexington, 16 guns, operating in 1776-1777. The research report for this project appeared in the Nautical Research Journal in the Summer, 2004 issue; Vol. 49, #2. The core building information and plans are provided in a Seaways' Ships in Scale magazine series, running from the January-February 2005 issue through that of January-February 2005.

Supplementary instructions and building tips for each magazine chapter is provided at a project-dedicated Lexington Practicum Web Site.

The series author and practicum guide offers answers to questions and accepts "extra curricular" project-related work from practicum members at a Yahoo Groups site; as of August, 2005, there are about 450 members. There is no charge for the practicum itself.

The model is a scratch-built plank-on-bulkhead former type. It can be a semi-scratch experience if the modeler uses the semi-kit prepared by The Lumberyard. This is a prepared package consisting of the laser-cut plywood formers plus the majority of the planking, decking and blocking stock in the same hardwoods used for the prototype's scratch-build. Highly detailed project-specific cannon and carriage kits are also available, from Doug Stout. The model will be relatively easy to build by any modeler who has done a simple kit or two. It would also be an artistic challenge for the more experienced modeler.

Feel free to join us!

{Clayton A. Feldman, MD - Practicum Researcher, Author and Guide}
A site built and maintained by model shipwright and scientist Clayton Johnson contains a couple of Practicae - one on Frame Lofting, one on Carving. It's here.
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