I'm still interested, and still waiting for funding, but while stalking the forums a question came to mind. What is your best guess at the ratio of unfinished hulls to finished, battle worthy ships in existence? Retired ships and ships in refit count as complete.
Mentally running through whats local to me, i'd say 5:1 but that doesnt take into account all the people who buy 1 hull and never finish or otherwise dont get involved.
In my shop: 2 "Battle Ready" 1 Retired 1 at about 80-90% (but it has been like that for 4+ years, so probably needs updating) 1 set of ribs 2-3 sets of paper plans that I'm interested in I'm not really a ship collector, I can only battle one at a time anyway. Also I prefer to stick with a ship for a long time and not switch every year. The list of "boat related" projects is much longer. Lots of R&D / testing work. If you really get into it the hobby it touches on so many different discliplines that there is a ton to learn and experiment with. I find that more enjoyable than actually building a boat. Battling is still the apex. Proving your work through combat is great.
there are definitely ship/hull collectors out there which would add to the ratio. I know at least one member who has one fully battle ready ship but has close to 30-40 hulls stacked in his shipyard. I personally have 1 ship battle ready though needs a superstructure, 1 in need of cannons (harder to come by in big gun), 3 planned in various stages and 1 or 2 mothballed. I'm sure there are many out there who have more. Many guys just really love building the ships.
Some of my ships run off the same air system and electrical systems. So I can't use them all at one time, but in less than an hour I could have anyone of them ready to go. Several of them right now are unsheeted too. But I'd consider a ship that just needs sheeting ready for battle. I currently have: Warspite Iboat Kongo (Needs systems from Warspite, needs sheeting) Washington (needs sheeting) Zyrini Bermuda Minneapolis Salem (Needs radio box from Minneapolis, needs sheeting) LST black (needs sheeting) LST grey (needs sheeting) CVL All battle ready. I have a Prince Eugen that really needs some work. Also have a Radetsky hull that has not been started.
Well, I am working to change my Ratio, VDT- Battle ready at end of week. Derf need Elec, Plumbing for guns (currently on display at local hobby shop) Fletcher, winter build(Phil Pace is Awesome! All the guys doing the build, Thank you!) Invincible -Gathering Parts, This will be next. Nassau- Hull and super w/ Deck, getting Pieces, parts etc Konig- Hull only Mackensen-Greg's Kit(how can you say No to that kind of amazing craftsmanship I am willing to give up any of these locally to anyone willing to build them and get them on the water, Except the VDT which i will run/jump and play with etc. Any local volunteers can contact me and would love to work with you to get these on the water(is this a shameless plug looking for some one to play with????? YES!!) Tugboat is my Inspiration!! Long live Lothar! Thanks, Craig Ps- I have free Bottemless Cider Bar for Tugboat if he ever comes to Mi for a battle.
