Hackmatack Knees Harvested & Shipped
Boat knees are an integral structural component in traditional wooden boat construction. The knee is formed by the angle of the root and butt of the tree, harvested from the ground with a shovel, axe and leverage, then sawn, striped of bark and stored until dry.
Hackmatack is the preferred species for boat knees because of its slow even growth, creating a wood that is tough and durable with the root often growing at right angles to the tree. Also known as Tamarack, Larch or Juniper, Hackmatack is prolific in the swamps and bogs of south-west Nova Scotia. Besides boat knees, Hackmatack is a versatile wood in boat construction, clear, straight lengths are suitable for steam bent frames. Often the tree has a couple of wiggles in its growth, which can be advantageously used for sawn frames and deck beams.
Westergard Boat has used Hackmatack in all of its new boat construction and has supplied projects like the Ernestina refit of 2009 (6" knees pictured above), and the San Salvador reconstruction at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
BOATYARD
Westergard Boatyard Launchings
With 30+ years of experience building, repairing and sailing traditional vessels through the Atlantic waters, David is a Master Craftsman. Following is a select list of some recent schooners designed and built at Westergard Boatyard.
Launched September 12, 2009, at the Dory Shop in Lunenburg, NS. Kitty Cochrane is the ideal little family curiser.
Launched July, 2006 at Westergard Boatyard on Surrette's Island, NS. Sea Change is the Westergard family boat and has taken home silver at the NSSA annual races.
Son of a Gun is a traditional Tancook Whaler
WESTERGARD
Wooden Boat Design & Construction
Dawson Moreland and Associates have engaged David Westergard to design and build twin traditional schooners in the open air at the boatyard of The Dory Shop in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
With double-sawn frames of solid Osage Orange and steam-bent White Oak, Hackmatack knees, 1 3/4 Alaskan Yellow Cedar planking, Angelique sheer and garboard strakes and a Determa deck, all fastened with bronze and copper.
Length on deck 48'
Beam 13'
Draft 6.5'
Displacing 36,000 lbs +/-
Ballast of 11,000 lbs
Length on deck 48'
Beam 13'
Draft 6.5'
Displacing 36,000 lbs +/-
Ballast of 11,000 lbs
