Model-boat enthusiasts from the Portland Model Powerboat Association brought their miniature vessels to Astoria on Saturday, June 27, for a public display at the Columbia River Maritime Museum’s Barbey Maritime Center and its adjacent model boat pond. Two rooms of hand-built, kit-built and restored model power boats drew visitors who chatted with the owners before the boats were set on the water.

The club, founded in 1962 and made up largely of retirees, restores and runs scale vessels — several modeled on real Columbia River and Pacific Northwest boats. Members including commodore Jim Mounts, vice commodore Bob Knight and Skip Collingwood described months of sanding, fiberglassing and detailing to return weathered hulls to seaworthy condition, with many boats accented by tiny crew figures for realism.

After the morning rain eased, members carried their boats — some long enough to need two people — down to the pond and launched them, while Columbia River Maritime Museum education director Katy Menne joined the club at the waterside event table.

Select the link to learn more.