Reflecting the reliance on the sea, which has included the building of 27 foot open whalers and 165 foot ocean-trading schooners, model boat-building seems to be a specialty of Bequia.
I saw a handful of workshops in Port Elizabeth, where models of old schooners and America's Cup yachts were displayed out front while men worked on their latest works on street pavements and in back rooms.
It began in the 1800s as a hobby, introduced by Scottish settlers, whalers and traders, who used gumwood and cedar from the island's forests. More recently, it has become especially popular since a local by the name of Lawson Sergaent created and presented a model of the Royal Yacht HMS Britannia to the Queen on a visit she paid to Bequia in 1985. Lawson can now be seen at the Bequia Maritime Museum where he runs tours and shows the latest models he is building.
Also popular are the model coconut boats, made from half a coconut husk and topped with sails. These are set into the sea by local kids every year during the Bequia Regatta at Easter time. There may be up to 80 or 90 coconut boats, all being swept by the breeze across Port Elizabeth harbour at one time, in the most coveted coconut boat race of the Caribbean. Not to miss!
