Perfect plank, beaming boatbuilder

Dave's back from a very successful trip to the West Coast where he finalized the purchase of our planking for these twin schooners.

We're going to be using Alaskan yellow cedar, a member of the Cypress family, known for excellent durability and workability.

Dave was really impressed with the Surrey, British Columbia mill where these giant logs were sawn.

"It was a really professional place, very efficient," he said. But most importantly, he is soooo pleased with the wood.

"It's beautiful stuff, clear...perfect really. As a builder, I'm really, really, pleased. (Editor's note: this by Dave standards is practically gushing!)

The plank, which needs about three months to dry, will be shipped East later this fall.

Work on the vessels, which were framed up last spring and have sat seasoning under cover these last few months, will resume shortly with construction of the deck beams.

Can't wait to see wood chips again!

Pretty boats to inspire you

It's been a pretty long time since we've posted anything to the Twin Schooner Project blog. As explained in a post late last spring, after hanging the sheer planks, we engaged in an extended and fully planned summer break during which time the frames could season (ie, dry out nicely under fitted covers) and so Dave could enjoy some summer sailing on his schooner, Sea Change.
But summer's well over now and it's soon time to start making wood chips again! Dave's been busy for a few weeks already, sourcing plank stock and making plans. In fact, he's flying off this weekend to the West Coast to oversee sawing of some excellent timbers. More on that soon!
In the meantime, to whet your keen appetites for beautiful schooners, here are some pictures from the Nova Scotia Schooner Association's Fall Classic held September 18. Thanks to Maggie Ostler, sailing aboard the Westergard-built Kitty Cochran, for the following report and pictures:

Rocket schooner launched

It's always great fun to attend a boat launch. And we were particularly pleased to be on hand a few weeks ago for the launch of a vessel that's been described variously as a 'fusion schooner,' the 'next generation of the schooner,' and, our favourite, the 'rocket schooner' Farfarer.

Built for Capt. Frank Blair by Covey Island Boatworks, Farfarer is a 58-ft cousin to the Maggie B., Blair's earlier Nigel Irons designed and Covey-built schooner with which he circumnavigated the globe. Sadly, the Maggie B was destroyed in the same fire that razed Covey Island's former plant at Petite Riviere. Throughout construction, Blair has stressed that he was not looking to recreate the Maggie B. but instead build something new and exciting in its own right.

That he's accomplished with this unique schooner.

During the launch, Capt. Tom Gallant, skipper of the schooner Avenger, thanked Blair for "finding virtue in the schooner rig," while Sandy McMillan of Lunenburg-based North Sails Atlantic, the company that built Farfarer's sails, called her "the next evolution of the schooner rig."

Blair plans to take Farfarer on a voyage inspired by the classic tale The Aeneid.

Visit us at the WoodenBoat Show!

We're very excited to have The Dory Shop and the New Lunenburg Schooners exhibiting at the WoodenBoat Show, taking place at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT June 25-27.

Please stop by to see Susan at booth #316-317 in the land exhibits area C. We'll have two beautiful dories on display and our new Twin Schooners postcards to hand out.

So one of the pieces (a short one!) shot by the video crew who visited the Dory Shop Boatyard May 21 is up on the Internet. It's actually a promo for the new site, shot with the host alongside one of the framed up schooners (before she impaled her hand on a big angelique splinter). Check it out at http://seaandbescene.com

Film crew visits

The Dory Shop Boatyard, where we are building these two fine wooden schooners, has always prided itself on being an open access kind of place.
There's always an eclectic collection of boats pulled up on the shore here (including an impressive select of fine dories!) to lure the passerby and locals and visitors alike are always welcome to peak inside the sheds to see what wonderful small boat Jay is building.
The presence of two impressive, fully framed out schooners has done nothing to dissuade the public's interest. In fact, we're now more than ever a must-see on the Lunenburg waterfront and we're happy to show folks around.
Last Friday we welcomed a small film crew who were shooting a video for a new website promoting Atlantic Canadian tourism. Filmed in that impromptu style so popular in morning television, it basically saw the on-camera person flitting about the boatyard talking to members of the spring dory building course (who were outside painting their newly-completed Handline dory shown at http://www.doryshop.com/underway.php) and examining the framed up schooners.
Unfortunately, while mimicking that classic game show maneuver where the gorgeous hostess runs her hands over the hood of the brand-new car (in this case substituting the sheer plank), the female host managed to get herself one heck of a big splinter. She proved a good sport about it, feigning a Scarlett O'Hara faint, then declaring it an authentic Lunenburg Schooners souvenir.
We'll be sure to post the link once the video is available online.

Bon voyage Picton Castle!

After a two-day delay due to weather, and a 'false start' May 10, so to speak, the Barque Picton Castle departed Lunenburg May 11 on an incredible 5th voyage around the world. Aboard as master, as he has been through all but one short period since the ship's conversion to a square rigger in the mid-1990s, is Capt. Dan Moreland, the visionary behind this twin schooner project.

Capt. Dan and the ship will be gone close to 14-months, but you can bet he'll be fully informed about our progress and checking in with Dave on a regular basis to discuss the build.

By the time the Picton Castle returns, the twin schooners will be nearly ready for launch. We wish the captain and crew the very best on this amazing voyage and encourage you to follow their travels on the Picton Castle website at http://picton-castle.com