"Basing 1/600 ACW Ship Miniatures" Topic

So I've started collecting 1/600 ironclads, steamers, and other naval vessels for ACW naval battles (mostly Thoroughbred and some Brown Water Navy 3D prints so far). Not sure how best to base them, however, given the wide variety of ship sizes and rules/movement schemes. Any suggestions on base sizing conventions, basing materials, and/or water finishing techniques?

I do not base. I also find games that uses hexes makes are so much easier.

I do not see a need to base 1/600 ironclads but Barker's Damn Battleships again rules presented a concept which I found interesting. The bases for ships in his rules were based on scale. The distance from the center of the base to bothe ends and to the sides represented the usual spacing between ships in the battle line. I am not sure what tactical doctrine was for ACW navies (the South probably did not have a tactical doctrine) but I like the concept presented. You might think of bases for the purpose of establishing the distances to be maintained between ships.

I used litko wooden bases, textured with acrylic paste.

7"x2.5" for Hartford
6"x2" for Alabama, Keasarge
5"x2" for City class, and large monitors.
5"x2.5" for cottonclads, Arkansas, Benton
4"x2" for Albemarle, Sumpter, Monitor
3"x1.5" tugs, rafts
2"x1" mortar rafts

I like the base proportions a lot. They help protect rigging and photoetched details.

I don't base them either.

No basing here.

Matt board material with Wargame Accessories, sheet metal bases glued to one side. These are sized by vessel. I like to use the Vallejo Water Effects: Mediterranean Blue Water. Paint the ship as desired, seal and have completely done. I paint the top of the base (Matt Board side) a blue, let dry, then cover with the Water Effect and place the ship on the base. Allow to completely dry, a bit of white dry brush on the base and I am done. I line my storage boxes with self sticking magnetic material. The ships then are very securely stuck to the box with the sheet metal side of the ship base. I am currently painting the commerce raider, CSS Alabama.

I base mine on magnetic sheet with acrylic water effects.

I decided to base after a ham fisted player rammed one ship into another and broke a mast.

I base mine to protect them, both from overzealous ramming attempts and greasy fingered gamers. I use thick basing, at least an 1/8" and thicker is better, measured 1/4" from all aspects. Bow, stern, port, starboard. If the bases touch then we have a ram or collision. Works for me.

I use clear acrylic bases from Litko. I used to do painted water effects and wakes on wood or matt board, but blue water on the bases looks poor when on a brownish river. So, the clear acrylic works on any surface and gives people something to pick up the ships and move them while keeping their grubby, greasy fingers off the ships.