Where timber, tradition and tenacity anchor every build
Bobato began in 1990 in Vacoas, when Kadress Soobaroyen set up a small workshop devoted to one idea: every ship model must be built from scratch, from raw hardwood and real plans — never assembled from a kit. We are artisans, historians and shipwrights in miniature.
As the workshop grew, it moved to 53A Sir John Pope Hennessy Street in Curepipe and became La Flotte Ltée. Kadress brought precision machinery onto the workshop floor to serve the artisan, not replace them, trained a generation of Mauritian craftsmen, and began making our own brass and zinc fittings. Each model is still shaped, rigged and finished by hand.
Mauritius, the island of ship models
Handcrafted ship modeling is one of Mauritius' great crafts. Bobato is part of that story — and has helped move it forward.
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A Mauritian craft is born
José Ramar builds a model admired by Raphaël Touze, France's first ambassador to Mauritius, who has historic ship plans sent from the Musée de la Marine in Paris. Ramar founds Comajora, the island's first commercial ship-model workshop.
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1970s
The first master workshops
Other workshops follow, such as Les Plus Belles Maquettes in Curepipe and La Serenissima, led by the Italian artisan Franco. Mauritius becomes a world reference for handcrafted ship models.
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Kadress Soobaroyen founds Bobato in Vacoas
In the tradition of the island's masters, Bobato starts in a small workshop in Vacoas with one rule: models built entirely by hand from raw hardwood and authentic plans — never from kits.
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La Flotte Ltée settles in Curepipe
The company is registered as La Flotte Ltée and moves to 53A Sir John Pope Hennessy Street, Curepipe. Precision machinery, in-house brass fittings and artisans trained on site raise the level of realism.
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Today
A showroom for collectors worldwide
Our Curepipe showroom welcomes visitors and collectors, and our ready-made and custom-made models are crated and shipped, fully insured, all over the world.
Source on the history of Mauritian ship modeling: The New York Times — "Ships of Mauritius: Models of Fine Craft" (4 Feb 1990)
What Bobato brought to the craft
Machines that serve the hand
Precision machinery cuts hull frames and templates to the millimetre; planking, carving, rigging and finishing are still done by hand.
Our own brass fittings
Solid turned-brass cannons, zinc anchors, deadeyes and rigging hardware are made in our own workshop — and supplied to other workshops on the island.
Figureheads and mini-sculptures
Our artisans carve and cast historical figureheads, such as the brass unicorn on our La Licorne model.
Zero guesswork
Every vessel is built from naval architecture plans, archives and photographs, so its scale is faithful to the original ship.
Our culture is the heartbeat of our success
At Bobato Ship Models, culture is not a slogan on a wall. It is the rhythm of chisels on timber, the scent of sawdust in the air, and the quiet pact we keep with maritime history. Our workshop moves with calm intensity. Each artisan contributes a discipline — carving, planking, detailing, finishing — but every hand serves one promise: to create ship models of lasting authenticity and exceptional presentation.
Every piece is shaped, assembled and finished by hand inside our Mauritius workshop.
From rigging lines to deck fittings, each model is built to reward close inspection.
Designed for private collections, refined interiors, hotels, yachts and corporate spaces.
A local craft legacy created for international admirers of maritime history.
Scratch-built or kit model?
Not every ship model is equal. Here is what separates a true handcrafted model from an assembled kit.
| Scratch-built (Bobato) | Kit model | |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | Planked by hand from raw hardwoods | Mass-produced pre-cut parts |
| Plans | Naval architecture plans and archives | Manufacturer's generic instructions |
| Fittings | Brass and zinc cast or turned in the workshop | Standard plastic or light-metal parts |
| Rigging | Tied and rigged by hand | Simplified rigging |
| The piece | One of a kind, from the workshop | Identical to thousands of others |
How to recognise a genuine handcrafted model
- Ask to see the workshop or photos of the build.
- Look at the fittings: heavy, polished brass is not plastic.
- Insist on an invoice from a registered company.
- Check independent reviews (Google, Tripadvisor, Trustpilot).
La Licorne — the Tintin ship
Inspired by the French ship of the line Le Brillant (1690) and made famous by Hergé's The Secret of the Unicorn, our Licorne carries a brass unicorn figurehead carved and cast in our workshop. It comes painted in the comic's colours or in a hand-varnished wood finish, with brass cannons and waxed rigging.
A reputation you can verify
Don't just take our word for it — read independent reviews from our customers and visitors.
“1/100th Scale Oyster 62 Yacht. Following a visit to the Bobato Workshop/Showroom in 2024, I recently commissioned a custom model which has just been delivered. Right from the start Kadress at Bobato Ship was excellent an...”
“A wonderful visit to this magical place, worthy of a museum! The historic boats have been marvelously reconstructed by a team of passionate craftsmen. We fell in love with a Riva! Thank you for your hospitality!”
“A magnificent shop with numerous model boats, each more incredible than the last. The seller is very helpful and passionate. I treated myself to the original Penduick, with a varnished wooden hull, of Éric Tabarly. The p...”
Bobato at a glance
- Name
- Bobato Ship Models
- Company
- La Flotte Ltée (BRN C06013529)
- Founded
- 1990, Vacoas, Mauritius
- Founder
- Kadress Soobaroyen, Director
- Showroom
- 53A Sir John Pope Hennessy Street, Curepipe 74245, Mauritius
- Phone / WhatsApp
- +230 5830 0277
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00
Questions about Bobato
Who founded Bobato Ship Models?
Bobato Ship Models was founded by master craftsman Kadress Soobaroyen, who still leads the company, La Flotte Ltée.
When and where was Bobato founded?
In 1990, in a small workshop in Vacoas, Mauritius. The company is now based in Curepipe.
Are Bobato ship models handmade?
Yes. Every model is built from raw hardwoods and authentic plans, then rigged and finished by hand. Bobato does not sell kits.
What is La Flotte Ltée?
La Flotte Ltée is the registered Mauritian company (BRN C06013529) that operates Bobato Ship Models.
Where is the Bobato showroom?
At 53A Sir John Pope Hennessy Street, Curepipe 74245, Mauritius. Open Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00.
