For many years, FLOAT a BOAT has been Australia’s premier specialist business for maritime modelling enthusiasts.
Offering expert advice and with years of practical experience in competition model yachting and scale ship modelling, FLOAT a BOAT provides a comprehensive service to model builders and ship lovers from beginner through to expert.
For over 30 years, we were full-time professional ship modellers, constructing both static and working models. The business grew to the point of establishing a comprehensive retail section to provide for the maritime hobbyist at all levels and within all branches of Sail and Scale modelling. The retail side now demands all our time and as a result, we no longer build and repair models.
Our beginnings go back to 1962 when Adrian Brewer, FLOAT a BOAT’s founder, received his first professional commission – a sailing model of a six-metre class yacht. Many more yachts followed and over a number of years we concentrated solely on the design and construction of competition model racing yachts under the name of ‘Spectrum Design’. In the late 1970’s, a wider field of model boating activities was presenting itself, so in 1981 we changed our name to FLOAT a BOAT to better reflect this greater variety.
Our first retail shop was opened in 1999 in response to our customer’s requests and this has proven to be a great success and has been a win situation for both ourselves and our customers. Due to a lack of shop space, FLOAT a BOAT moved to larger premises in Ringwood at the beginning of 2006.
Our first Retail Shop was opened at Camberwell in 1999. Prior to that we had a retail showroom in Boronia which operated along-side the model building business.
We outgrew the Camberwell shop after a fairly short time as customers responded very favourably to the new ‘Specialist’ hobby shop.
At the beginning of 2006 an opportunity presented itself for us to purchase a larger Retail Shop in a Ringwood shopping precinct, with the added advantage of plenty of storage space for lots of back-up stock.
This shop is in Wantirna Road, Ringwood, located directly opposite the large Salvation Army centre and next to the main pedestrian crossing.
The Ringwood Railway Station is within easy walking distance and a regular bus service runs past the door. Free parking is available in front of the shop and down nearby side streets.
The shop has been designed with customer shopping pleasure in mind and the surroundings are very opposite to your typical hobby shop.
Step through the door and be transported back in time to an age of elegance where one is surrounded by the warmth of rich timber panelling and polished brass.
Move through the Gift section and head for the Hobby department where you are surrounded with a vast array of Kits, Fibreglass Hulls, Building Materials, Modelling Tools and the finest and largest range of Ship Fittings and Accessories anywhere in Australia and all on full display for easy selection.
We stock several thousand different products for sale through the Retail Shop, many of which are featured on this website. We specialise in Sail and Scale modelling so if you don’t find something you require on this site, please ask, as often we are able to assist.
We are privileged to welcome many customers from every State in Australia, as well as from all over the World when they are visiting Melbourne, so we look forward to meeting up with you as well.
