The Manitowoc Maritime Museum is holding their annual Model Ships & Boats contest in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on May 16-18, 2025.
This is a 3 day event. But the first day is usually for setup, while Sat. and Sun. are for the general public to view the contest.
This contest is for model ships and boats only (and/or other nautical crafts). No cars, aircraft, tanks, sci-fi, etc. allowed. Most model entries entered at this annual contest tend to be sailing ships/hand crafted models. But plastic model ship kits are ok too.
Registration for the 2025 contest is due by May 1st. Walk-in/Onsite registrations are not accepted.
For those who do not wish to enter the contest, the museum is still a great place to explore and learn about the nautical history of Manitowoc and Lake Michigan. The museum also has the WW2 submarine USS Cobia that you can take tours of. Also at the museum (depending on weather) is an outdoor RC pond across the street from the museum where RC enthusiasts can drive their RC boats.
Registration and other information at this link:
Main museum website:
This is not a very big contest/venue. It’s not affiliated with the IPMS or other local/regional model clubs and shows. This contest is held every year in mid May.
Below is a few pictures I took from past years.
A few things I forgot to mention.
Writing a one page (one side only) paper on how your model was constructed and writing a one page (one side only) historical paper on the history of your model subject is mandatory at this contest.
I wish it wasn’t as I hate writing the history paper for my model ships because all my model ships don’t exist. They are all what if’s. So it’s difficult to come up with some sort of fictional history.
@Tim_Kidwell1
I hope FSM will make it up to Manitowoc for the 50th anniversary of this contest in 2027. 
And for anybody who has a sweet tooth (Who doesn’t?), taking a short walk to Beerntsen’s Confectionary is a must! The best ice cream and candy shop in Manitowoc! 
It’s a great way to celebrate after winning an award.
We’ve gone in the past (last year we were there) and like to support the show, so we’ll see. This year, we will not be there because of a conflict with another show.
Well, I’m almost packed up and about ready to go up tomorrow to the Manitowoc Museum Model Ships & Boats contest. Can’t say the weather is looking any good, but I’ll try to have a fun time nonetheless. I’ll be sure to take plenty of pics while I’m there and post them to this thread when I get back.
Thanks ahead of time for the pictures. I was hoping to get there this year but family obligations have popped up. I hope that you have a great time.
Went to the Manitowoc Maritime Museum Model Ships & Boats contest this past weekend. Took a bunch of pics. Here’s some samples. Most models that people build and enter are usually sailing vessels and other hand crafted boats which account for probably 70% of the model entries. Seems like every time I go to this contest, the ships keep getting longer and longer…and bigger too! 
And another batch of photos.
And another batch of sample pics. There’s usually an RC pond across the street from the museum during the contest. But it’s only set up depending on weather conditions.
Thanks for the awesome photos WhatIfRebel. There is a lot of impressive work on those tables.
Great photos. As far as I’m concerned, ship builders are in a class, all by themselves. They work with so many different materials to build them. Brass, wood, cloth, you name. I’m sure a tremendous amount of research goes into the build before they even glue the first pieces together. The models on those tables need to be in museums, for the level of detail that’s been put into them. Much respect.!!!
