How to Make Bottle Ship Models

Putting together a ship in a bottle is a fun and relaxing way to exercise your mind.  It works the same areas of your brain as puzzle-building and you wind up with a conversation-starting souvenir. All you need to start the project is a kit (or some simple materials) and a little know-how.

What You’ll Need

• A “ship in a bottle” building kit or a large bottle and a model ship kit (individual pieces must be large enough to fit through the neck of the bottle.


• Tools - These depend on the model you choose, but often include tweezers, string, hobby knives, ruler, glue, and pliers.


• Paints and/or finishes of your choosing- many model kits come with matching paints, but you can also choose your own.

Outside of Bottle

Complete ship in a bottle kits should come with everything you need (bottle, stopper, model ship that fits through the neck of the bottle, and complete instructions). Make sure to read the included contents, however, as you may need additional tools or supplies to finish the project.

1.  Assemble the model boat, taking care to follow all instructions exactly.

2.  Apply any painting or finishing. Decorate and paint the model however you like, but be careful not to add anything that might increase width and stop the boat from fitting through the neck of the bottle. Make sure nothing you add (including paint or varnish) keeps the sails from moving freely and completely on their hinges.

3.  Insert ship carefully into bottle, then pull up the hinged sails and mast with a metal hook, or string tied to the mail sails.

Inside of Bottle

1. Assure that all pieces of the model ship you've chosen will fit (individually) through the neck of the bottle. It is ok if you need to turn or fold them strangely, as long as they can be maneuvered back to normal once inside the bottle (using your tools).

2.  Assemble your boat on the outside of the bottle first. This way, you can learn the basic structure of the model, and make mistakes that are easily corrected. Do not use glue or other permanent components on the model while "practicing." 

3.  Paint and finish the pieces of your model individually (this is a lot easier if you plan the colors and finishes you'll use during the "practice" construction step), and let them dry.

4. Carefully insert each piece (or small groups of construction) of the model through the neck and into the bottle. Gently use the tools to put the boat the rest of the way together, making sure to leave room to attach larger components to one another.

Finishing Steps

1. Add decorations of your choosing, such as colored sand and small "sea" toys or figurines.

2. Seal the bottle with a well-fitting cork or stopper, and move your creation to a safe display area.