A block model is a solid, three-dimensional representation of a ship's hull carved from a single piece of wood or built up from horizontal layers. Naval architects and shipwrights use these physical models to evaluate the hull lines, displacement, and hydrodynamic shape before lofting the full-size plans. The layers often correspond to specific waterlines, allowing builders to disassemble the block and trace the exact curves needed for the ship's frames.
Heard on the job
Bring the block model into the drafting room so we can verify the sheer line against the new blueprints.
Insider tip
Builders often paint the underwater portion of the block model in a contrasting color to easily visualize the designed draft.