Thanks for the compliment.

You will need a kit unless you buy the ship from one of the ready made few sources in the world like www.rchobby.co.uk. Look under yachts. They are about a 1 year wait and check out the price (be sure you are setting down when you convert from pounds to dollars).

My supplier for ready made hulls (and other parts) comes from an overseas agreement (I import them in bulk) as I do not have the time for plank on bulkhead construction and customers won't wait that the nearly 1 year that takes (I do this part time).

Kits can by bought from www.modelexpo-online.com. As ane example, HMS Victory kit is 399 there (44 inches LOA) and they even sell the sails and paint for this ship and others. Purists may scream, but I can't fill the demand for these with plank on bulkhead construction.

Also, let me summarize by saying that EVERY single square rigger out there is either scratch built OR had an original life as a static display kit/model (with the exception of the new toy aquacraft pirate ship) that I know of in the world.

ALL of the square rigged ships on www.modelexpo-online.com were designed as static display models (except for one of there abs hull fore/aft sailing ships). The point here is that unless you scratch build, you MUST modify any of these for RC or free-sailing. Therein comes the design process and some requirements to understand some basic elements of boat design (and how to sail) of square riggers (otherwise it will not sail or sail well).

If you elect to do this, stay in touch and I will help you eliminate many hours of headache and pain in this.

During the 20's through 40's, many of the free sailing models (to include square riggers) were CARVED hulls, but, that requires special tools. Most of these were not to scale.

Hope that helps. We can also discuss one of my hulls if you wish.