OK, so Surprise folder has now been placed into the 'Completed Kit Designs' folder, and all I can do now is wait to hear back from the printers for a quote and ETA for the plans, manual and box label.

What am I doing now? Well, right now, I am building stock back up for all other kits before producing a second batch of Surprise kits. For the next two weeks at least, I shall be producing parts for more Indefatigable kits (these take an absolute age..), followed by Sphinx (bringing stock levels for all kits back up), and then back onto Surprise.

Because of the sheer amount of pre orders I had for Surprise, when released, I will only have around 30 left from the first batch (need to keep some back for distributors), but I shall try and get the second batch done as quickly as I can. I am hoping my laser machine tube will hold up until I have my new (third machine) delivered in September - at which point, I shall still be down to two machines, as the other will need its tube taken out and sent for servicing.

And while I am doing all this, I have started a development of a small kit before once again continuing with the Agamemnon. The little kit will be another one of my past efforts, which took me around a week to design (using a very blurry photo copy of the lines from one of my books) and two weeks to build, and it shows. This would be a Ballahoo Class schooner. This isn't been the breeze I thought it would be, as the deck is stepped at the stern, and stepped down again, and it didn't have a square tuck like my first rushed design.

Here is a pic of the parrel bead and mouse set, now standard in Surprise.

Also, a new stove for smaller vessels, which may go into my next small kit, Ballahoo...

Looking forward to your next designs Chris!

So very nice. I am so impressed with your creativity!

Really nice stuff Chris. Stove looks excellent.

Great work Chris, they look great.

Nice work Chris! Can’t imagine how many hours are in your days.

Really great Chris. Thanks for being so open about your plans. Your creativity and drive continue to impress!

OK, Surprise manual, plans and box label are due to be delivered today, failing that, Monday at the latest (Took longer than usual due to the A1 size plans needing to be in colour)

So, Surprise pre orders will start to be shipped next week.

I need to keep them out of stock for now, until we have fulfilled all pre orders. Once this is done, we work on distributor orders and then Surprise will be put in stock (I think around 30 will be available until I produce the second batch, of which I have already re ordered more PE, copper and other materials).

I am also producing more Indy laser cut parts right now, so soon that will be back in stock, along with Sherbourne (with the latter deliberately put at zero stock to give my wife a chance to concentrate 100% on Surprise orders).

So, not much in the way of developments from in during the past few weeks, all I have done is production stuff - but am not complaining...

Great news

well done chris and chan

I’m really excited to hear that HMS Surprise will be shipping soon. I’ve been spending so much time making ropes lately that my Speedy build has fallen quite a bit behind, but it’s time to pick up the pace from here on.

I’m also really looking forward to the new Ballahoo kit. It looks like another fantastic release!

Agree a little Ballahoo class Schooner would be a brilliant addition, the old Caldercraft one is still a nice looking model when well done, sure your second go will be a little gem. 🙂

Great to hear the news on Surprise shipping soon, I am running out of things to keep me busy without a ship model to work on.

It’s good to be refilling stock based on demand. Next you’ll be hiring production staff 😎👍🏻

9 hours ago, Chris Watton said:

So, not much in the way of developments from in during the past few weeks, all I have done is production stuff - but am not complaining...

What a great problem to have Chris! Long may it continue for you.

On 7/3/2026 at 11:22 AM, Chris Watton said:

OK, Surprise manual, plans and box label are due to be delivered today.

Fingers crossed the delivery arrived on Friday. It will be an extra busy time for your wife and you to add them to the kit and then to generate all the shipping documents for the courier ready for delivery. We all appreciate the time and effort you both put in 🙌 😊

Well, my wife has been working hard all week, and today, the first Surprise kits are being boxed with their full contents. (Printed stuff arrived late Friday)

Shipping starts next week!

Massive boxes! A little bit jealous of the people who get these delivered 😁

Impressive work from team Watton.👏
Looking forward to getting a notification from the courier service that the goods are on the way.

I have spend the day tiding up the shipyard in readiness.

"I’m sure both of you worked hard late into the night. Thank you so much for your effort! Please make sure to pack my indy deck in the box, haha. 😉"