I always wondered why no. one ever made an Orca from Jaws.I am aware of a fully assembled version available on Amazon and the Bay.
Air Age Publishing has a set of plans for the ORCA for $19.95. The plans are drawn in 1/14th scale, and you might be able to find Quint, Hooper, and Brody figures in that scale. They also offer plans for the SS MINNOW from Gilligan’s Island.
Thanks!
There used to be so many ship plans available from so many sources. Ship modeling seemed to be the genre most often scratch built (goes back further, too). I am sad to see how this has declined these days.
Yes,the reviews on Amazon were kind of lukewarm for the pre assembled Orca.Out of scale details,2 engines and fragility were the main complaints.
Hmmm;
Being a boat nut . I studied the Orca in very intent detail . When Quint leaves the dock he’s got two throttle levers in his hands . In other shots it’s a single .
She (the Orca ) seems to be a Wheeler based design . I cannot be sure . She was different in more than one shot !
Looks like the hull might have been constructed of mahogany.How old was the Orca at the time of filming ?
The production company bought three boats for filming, if memory serves.
The “Orca” in Jaws as written by Pete Benchley, is a fictional boat, so there’s no telling what is was (or meant to be) made of.
The “codfish coast” turned out fishing vessels in ever possible material, so, that makes it hard to assert what would be a likely material.
For the era, diagonal-laid pine or cypress is as likely as anything else. Superstructure work might have been in teak or mahogany (or even in “Honduras Mahogany”)
Fictional vessels have their own problems.
She was a lobster boat out of Marblehead Mass. Named Warlock.
Completely modified beyond recognition, with that flying bridge, pulpit and fighting chair.
Thanks " G "
Many of those were built By Wheeler and others . Good sea boats . Quint’s deckhouse looks like a boatyard re-build from a later time in the boat’s life .
Thanks G,always wondered about the origin of the Orca.Pine and cypress would not be strong enough for an ocean going vessel I would think.White oak and Mahogany makes more sense.
Well mahogany doesn’t grow in the US. More likely planking is pine, oak or larch.
Teak would be a premium material for deck, but on a working boat unlikely.
These kinds of boats are lee boats. Not open sea boats.
Both Higgins and Elco used diagonal planking in those materials for PT boats.
The planks are 7/8" - 1 1/8" thick and are fitted oer a mould. The second ply is laid at nearly 90º to the first using a waterproof resin glue. Some areas having 5/4 & 6/4 marine-grade (waterproof glue) plywood. Said plywood being almost invriably softwood varieties.
Found a link for ya.
Thanks Jake,very informative if a bit sad!I wonder if they made the engine throw a rod by draining the oil and running it at full throttle til it seized.