We are pleased to introduce Mr. Joe Cupelli as our partner who is available to consult with you on custom building that kit you've bought and now don't know what to do with. Or, if you just want a great looking boat without the hassle of assembling it, especially a Dumas(tm) Chris Craft, Joe is your man. Although the Dumas boats are the best on the market in terms of scale, quality and detail... if you've ever tried to assemble one, you've probably found that there are so many parts and steps and details that it is nearly intimidating to the average builder.
This is not the case with Joe Cupelli. He has a true gift with regard to building these and many other kits. I've never seen a better looking boat than some of the old Chris Crafts he's completed, but don't just take my word for it. Below is a list of links which will show you a "step-by-step" photo sequence of Joe assembling a Chris Craft 1/8 scale model of the famous 1956 23 foot Chris Craft "Continental" motor yacht. This is a dumas kit that is pictured with Joe constructing it step by step in his shop. Notice that the entire boat gets a coat of fiberglass and resin which makes it look as if you could reach into it to touch that beautifully detailed inlaid deck. What could be more beautiful than a mahogony boat like this without a blemish in its finish or construction ANYwhere? Joe builds these boats to your liking. He will build boats for display (with stand), boats with just a motor and battery box w/off/on switch for free running, or a complete craft ready to run, including electronic speed controller, all servos, receiver, battery pack, charger, transmitter AND a beautifully made, satin lined carrying case which cradles all of the radio equipment and the boat. You may have seen some of Joe's boats on Ebay auction recently. People go nuts over them because of the quality of construction. We think Joe should really become a model boat builder for a museum.
If you're a frequent visitor to Buzz's BoatYard, you know we form partnerships with companies and individuals of the highest calibre only. We also promote the skills of only the highest quality craftsmen for building and/or restoration as we mean to maintain our status as the center of activity for the serious toy boat collector. Our main goal is to create a "one stop" resource site for the hobbiest and collector. We do this as a service to our customers, and we do not "tack on" any hidden charges for this type of service. If you are interested in having Joe Cupelli build a boat for you, just let us know and we'll contact him... and put him in direct communication with you. After that, you'll deal exclusively and directly with Joe to work out the details. This is a free resource service provided by Buzz's BoatYard.
We highly reccomend Joe Cupelli as one of the best in the business. He is truly gifted when it comes to the skills you see demonstrated below. We encourage you to look at each of the photos in sequence from #1 to the end. You will gain a better understanding of the talent and time spent perfecting one of these complicated kits, from beginning to end. Joe is great at it because he loves to build them. If you're looking for one of the best kit builders around, you've found him here. Email us and we'll give you more information on how to contact him so you can add one of his incredible boats to your collection. You don't even have to buy the kit! He'll include it in the construction fee!
Contact:[email protected] for Joe's email address. We don't post it here because we don't want spammers picking it up to bother him.
Joe Cupelli's Custom Model Boat Construction
1. Joe prepares the bottom of the yacht in its initial stages
2. More bottom preparation for fiberglass and planking.
3. Joe prepares the bow of the boat during the fiberglassing
4. The roughed out hull, ready for planking, decking and interior work
5. The start of the inlaid mahogony and birch deck planking
6. Completed "rough out" of the side and bottom mahogony planking
7. Sanded, Stained and getting serious as the deck is joined.
8. Close Up of finishing touches as top and bottom are joined.
9. Finishing deck touches. Look at that finish and inlaid wood!
10. The completed hull, prior to final finishing.
11. Side view, nearing completion.
12. Nearly complete, the boat awaits the final touches.
13. Finished and ready to go. Can you believe the finish on that wood?
We hope you enjoyed checking out Joe's work. It really is an art to be able to build a kit of this quality. Joe takes every step a bit further for the sake of perfection, and it shows. Look at the carved nosepiece on this boat. It is an EXACT duplicate of the original boat. We doubt you'll find a better builder than Joe Cupelli. He's truly dedicated to quality and detail. Why settle for less if you're going to invest in an expensive kit to begin with? Do it the right way, and your Chris Craft will become the center of attention.
Don't forget that we have contacts for restoration services on all types of boats from wood to large and rare steam and/or clockwork steel and tin ships. We also locate parts you may be missing from an otherwise great looking antique boat. Email us and we'll put you in touch!
Now, go buy one of MY boats!
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