Jean Preckel (1950 – )

Jean Preckel has been building marine models professionally since 1983. Educated at West Virginia University, she holds a BM in Music and an MS in horticulture. Her main interest lies in the work boats of the Chesapeake Bay, more particularly the log canoes, skipjacks and sloops.

While living on the Eastern Shore of Virginia from 1979 to 1989, she spent her first two years restoring a 90 year-old Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe to her original sailing rig. From that experience, and her interest in marine models, she progressed into the building of authentically detailed replicas of Chesapeake Bay crafts as well as other regional small working craft and classic sailing or motor yachts – an occupation that she could pursue as a stay-at-home Mom.

Jean has exhibited at the Cultural Center in Charleston, West Virginia, and at the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Festival in Easton, Maryland. Her models are also found in numerous private collections throughout the mid-Atlantic states.