The model is decked, equipped and rigged (modern). The hull has been carved from a solid piece of wood, which has been gauged out, over which the deck has been fitted, and is complete with a large grating amidships giving access to the hold. At this scale, the model represents a vessel measuring 36 feet in length with a beam of ten feet and approximately ten tons burden.

Hoys were small single-masted coastal sailing vessels, usually displacing between 20-70 tons. They were sloop-rigged with a mainsail either loose footed or rigged to a boom. They did a variety of work for both the merchant service as well as the Royal Navy. Some were specially built to carry freshwater, gunpowder or ballast, while others were employed in the Revenue service or were used for laying buoys or survey work. They could be hailed from the shore to pick up cargo and passengers and it is thought that this is where the term ‘ahoy there’ may have derived.