Defender Sailboat Schooner Yacht Model

The Defender is a replica of the iconic yacht that made history in the America’s Cup, renowned for its sleek design and remarkable speed. This model captures the elegance and craftsmanship of the original vessel, a must-have for collectors and sailing enthusiasts. Built with red cedar, mahogany, teak, and other premium woods, this model is both durable and visually stunning. The linen fabric sails, durable flags, and rust-resistant metal fittings enhance its authenticity. The plank-on-frame construction and detailed rigging showcase the expert craftsmanship involved. With a natural wood finish and protective varnish, this model is designed to last. Measuring L: 23.7 - W: 4.7 - H: 29.5 inches, the Defender makes a sophisticated display piece for any space. It also makes a thoughtful gift for yacht enthusiasts and collectors of maritime history. Please Note: Your model is shipped with the mast and sails neatly folded for secure and efficient delivery. All rigging is pre-installed—simply raise the mast and adjust the sails for proper alignment, and your assembly will be complete in minutes. For a step-by-step guide, check out our YouTube assembly video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8gJ95oIaEk. Enjoy the rewarding challenge of bringing your model to life, much like sailors preparing their vessels for the open sea.

History

The Defender, designed by the renowned naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff, was created in absolute secrecy, with its construction kept under tight wraps. No one was allowed to enter the yard during its build, ensuring that every detail remained a mystery until the boat’s debut. Herreshoff's innovative use of aluminum in the yacht's construction was a key feature, marking a significant departure from traditional wooden designs. However, upon launching the Defender on June 23, 1895, the yacht encountered a major issue that was poorly understood at the time: electrolysis-induced corrosion. This challenge threatened the Defender's performance, but the issue was eventually resolved, allowing the yacht to continue its journey. After overcoming the corrosion problem, the Defender went on to achieve great success, securing the prestigious America’s Cup in 1895. The yacht triumphed over Valkyrie III, winning three consecutive races out of five in a commanding fashion. The Defender's victory was a testament to Herreshoff’s design genius and the cutting-edge materials used in her construction. The success of the Defender solidified her place in America’s Cup history, and her innovative design paved the way for future racing yachts. Her victory also marked the start of a long series of wins for the United States in the prestigious competition, setting the standard for future America’s Cup challenges.

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Order Confirmation:

As soon as you place your order, you will receive an order confirmation e-mail. This means that we have received your order in our system and pre-authorized your credit card for the purchase. As soon as we receive your order, we automatically reach out to our suppliers to confirm that it is in stock and available for immediate shipment. If your item is on backorder or unavailable, we will void the pre-authorization and reach out to you via e-mail. If your item(s) are available for immediate shipment (within 5 business days), we will process the charges and submit the order for shipment.

The shipment time estimates below apply only to Handcrafted Model Ships products. For Old Modern products, shipping time is similar, but not exact. 

Order Shipment:

If your order is stock and we process the charges to your credit card, it will ship within five business days from the date of your order. The exception is Wye River Models brand, as it may take up to 3 weeks for your order to be shipped. We will send you tracking information within 24 hours of your order leaving the warehouse to the e-mail address you provided when checking out.  If you do not receive tracking information from us within six business days of your order, feel free to follow up with us at orders@AdamaModelShips.com

Delivery Time 
Your order will be processed and leave our supplier's facility within 3-5 business days. You will receive your model in 4 to 12 business days after you place your order (within the continental United States). Again, Wye River Models brand is the exception, as it may take up to 3 weeks for ship.

Example
A shipment within California will take 4 to 6 business days to arrive to you. A shipment to New York will take 5 to 12 business days to arrive to you.

Tracking
It is easy to track your shipment. Upon processing your order, you will receive an e-mail including shipping confirmation and the individual tracking number assigned to your model. Check anytime to see exactly when your model is expected to arrive.

UPS Transit Times from Alhambra, CA

Fedex Transit Times from Alhambra, CA

We work hard to ensure we offer the best prices online. If you find another online retail store that offers a lower price on the same item, within 6 months of your purchase, let us know and we’ll refund you the difference.

We want you to feel confident you're getting the best value for your purchase.

✅ To Request a Price Match:
Email us at sales@adamamodelships.com with:

A link to the identical product on the competitor's website

Your original order number

We’ll verify the pricing and issue a refund for the difference if the request qualifies.

🔒 Price Match Guarantee Terms & Limitations:
To qualify for a price match:

You must have purchased the item from our website before requesting a price match

The item must be:

In stock at the competitor's website at the time of the request

Sold by a retail-focused, authorized dealer

Listed on the competitor’s own official website (not a marketplace or third-party platform)

Price match includes item price + shipping, but excludes sales tax

❌ Exclusions:
We do not match prices from:

Marketplace sellers on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart Marketplace, Overstock, etc.

Distributors, wholesalers, or manufacturers acting as retailers

Auction sites, membership-only clubs, clearance sales, liquidations, or flash deals

Products sold as part of bundle promotions, rebates, or buy-one-get-one offers

If you have any questions about our policy, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help.

Money Back Guarantee Policy

We guarantee satisfaction with our products - in the unlikely event that your model arrives damaged please contact us by within 3 days of receiving your order. If you intend to give the item as a gift, please inspect the item upon receipt.

For further details please review our Refund Policy.