For the first time in decades, there are schooners 'abuilding on the famed waterfront at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. Dawson Moreland & Associates are building not just one, but two 48' wooden schooners in the best of Maritime traditions. These 'twins' will be built simultaneously, frame for frame, plank for plank, alongside the historic Lunenburg Dory Shop at 175 Bluenose Drive. Follow their progress from keel laying to launch!

An artist's interpretation of the Twin Schooner Project

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

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.

Friday, May 14, 2010

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

Monday, May 3, 2010


We've been falling down on the job a bit lately -- not the boatbuilders but the photo/videographers. You see, the Barque Picton Castle (http://picton-castle.com) is preparing to depart on her fifth voyage around the world on Saturday, May 8. So Captain Moreland (project principal and a keen chronicler of this build) has been busy on many fronts, as has our support staff. Meanwhile, Dave and the gang soldier on at the Dory Shop Boatyard, making those sheer strakes.