Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Episode 96: What Are Grown Knees For?

We've been busting stump to get the knees freed but that doesn't mean the battle is over. We still have many more to go and once they are freed, they still need to be sized and thicknessed. The good news is, we only need to rough them out right now so that they are an appropriate size and thickness to be able to season and dry a little bit before we have to give them their final shape and instal the in Arabella.
With that, we probably should also talk about where these are going to go in the construction process and what their purposes really are. Knees grow in such a way that they grain follows the curve of the roots going out away from the tree. This creates a natural buttress which is extremely strong. We can use these buttresses to tie in sections of the boat, mainly the decking to the framing as well as the port and starboard sides of the boat with the breasthooks.
Finally, after all that work, we decided to take a day and go out to visit a near legendary boat shop on Martha's Vineyard. Gannon and Benjamin in Vineyard Haven. A great open shop day with excellent people!
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Acorn to Arabella is a boat building project taking place in Granby, Massachusetts. Steve and Alix started as amateur boat builders building their own 38' wooden boat in their backyard: designer William Atkin's Ingrid with a Stormy Petrel's gaff rig. These videos follow the journey from tree felling, to lumber milling, to lofting, to the lead keel pour and beyond-sharing details of the woodworking, carpentry, metal smithing, tool building, and tool maintenance that wooden boats command. This ultimate DIY project will continue well past launch, when they will travel and learn to cruise aboard the boat that they've built. Just kidding about all that, this channel is about a Siberian Laika named Akiva.
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[@stairman45]

Oak knees were typically made from live oak and cut from branches above ground which live oak has a lot of. The knees for the USS Constitution and many other colonial era ships were harvested on St. Simons Island in Georgia and sunk in the harbor in Boston until needed. A large number of them were recently dredged up and sent to boat building programs and also sold to woodworking companies. I built a door for a house on St. Simons Island from some of them. They were hard as a rock and difficult to use, but looked great. We had a pile of them to choose from and some of them were over 8 feet long with a side arm 4 feet long by 14 inches thick. There is a guy in south Georgia who still cuts live oak on a special bandsaw mill he designed and built himself. He is featured in a video from Samson Boat as a supplier of the live oak for the sawn frames for Tally Ho.

[@Ryan6.022]

Yeah live oak is a pain to work but man is it worth it. If I'm not mistaken it's in the top 5 or 10 hardest woods in North America.

[@stairman45]

@@Ryan6.022 The ones I was working with had become mineralized from their 200 years on the bottom of Boston harbor. Sparks would shoot off while cutting the wood.

[@petert3355]

@@stairman45 And I'm guessing every time you saw a spark you thought, "Well, there goes another tooth off the blade". Australian Ironbark is the same way. That hard when it's been cut for awhile that you can't even drive a nail into it. Great stuff for house frames though.

[@shopshop-lx9hj]

@@Ryan6.022 North America including Mexico? If not, what's harder?

[@Ryan6.022]

@@shopshop-lx9hj one of the hardest is called desert iron wood. It's a short scrubby tree that grows in the mid west. It a protected species though.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Another great start to my Friday mornings. Thanks for posting and thanks for sharing a bit of your trip to the other boatyard. Seeing a sister boat to Arabella, done in fiberglass, lends ones eye to the final curves of the design. Plus we got to see under the deck and the knees in place, even if you guys didn't point them out, nice!

[@MrRABC1]

Can you imagine how much manpower it took people in years gone bye when power tools and chainsaws and backhoe's etc were'nt around. Even with all that modern help its still a mammoth task. Gives me great respect for the boat-builders of old.

[@falsum2701]

It's amazing to me how much work goes into these knees. Digging big holes, pulling out the rootstock, cleaning and de-barking, chainsawing, hammering wedges, sharpening the chainsaw blade, and what looks like it must be hours with the adze and axe. All this when you could just be using bronze or laminated knees. But you guys are willing to put in all that work because you've decided that grown knees would be best for the boat. I'm an office worker who will never do anything like this, but still your dedication to do whatever it takes to make Arabella the best boat she can possibly be is really inspiring.

[@lancer2204]

The one thing that REALLY stands out in this episode is the audio editing. It is FANTASTIC! In most YT clips the time lapse sections simply include the sound as recorded, the problem is when power tool are in use. The sound can become excruciatingly painful! I love that the sound editor over dubbed the normal sounds of the work being done, it makes a nice combination and is a real point of difference in your production!

[@MrCthieke]

I thought the same but I couldn't have articulated it so eloquently

[@arnekvinge6073]

Agree!

[@neilfairless4589]

I am so glad you are showing us where these cuts of wood come from instead of just putting them in at the correct time of the build. Makes me appreciate even more what you are doing. That grain is beautiful as well, proper ugly ducking moment.

[@richardzenger3817]

You guys are amazing. Your talent, research, willingness to learn, make mistakes, take sounds advice, and being able to ignore the armchair quarterbacks says volumes. Keep your dream alive, do not get discouraged, and most importantly be careful. Cannot afford to lose you. Love you video or show.

[@olekaarvaag9405]

Honestly, I thought you were the only ones making a boat from that design. Seeing a finished one out of fiberglass was a surprise! It looks sleeker than I imagined. Can't wait to see Arabella launch.

[@aaronpreston47]

As someone born and raised in Canada, I thank you for your efforts in diminishing the pest that is the Canada Goose.

[@NZobservatory]

Not gonna lie, I had to go take a nap after watching you guys do all that work.

[@paulsmith1444]

I don't know about you, but watching you go onboard and tour Ingrid, really motivated me. Looking at a sailboat that resembles the finished product of your endeavors ( Arabella) was for me, exciting. Can't tell you how much I enjoy following you and the crew. Thanks

[@smokebuur]

Amazing to see a finished Ingrid at the end there, that's really exciting.

[@arizonaguy7574]

Such an incredible amount of work, energy and time you, Alex and Akiva put into this noble project. Thank you for sharing the experience with us armchair boat builders.

[@sheep1ewe]

This project is awsome! Sometime i miss grandfathers old fishingboat, even if it was small i loved the feeling of old wood and the smell of pinetar. I thin´k i will add some wooden detail to my glasfiber lady just for the sake when i done with the restauration. :) A thing that came to my mind when i watched the video about those old oakstumps was that my father tould me that back in the days they used to plant oaktrees close to rockpiles, or add a few rocks around the plant in order to bind moisture and give the plant a good start in the summer, he also tould me that in more rural areas they used to plant wild roses around the yopung oak plants to protect them from animals. Even if the realy big wooden ships started to die out in the late 1800 i think oaks where still grown for shipbuilding in order to ensure the supply of parts for large fishingboats because it was still much cheaper to build them from wood compared to steel hulls, at least for the local coustal fishermen. (at lest they did in my country until as far as the late 1950s, even if all commercial ships where made of steel, ther where still a pretty high demand from local fishermen across the country.). (It's very on the limit for growing oaktrees where live because of the arctic winters, but me and my father planted some new oaktrees in protected spots with slightly milder climate and i managed to get my hands on some seeds from the nordic genes wich are a lot taugher but less common today because they grow so much slower, but i actualy managed to find a few old oaks in the citygarden wich seem to be the right kinds i hope, i realy don't expect much to happen during my lifetime, but at least i saw some green leaves last summer.).

[@geraldtonjjeeper]

In December 1988 I skippered a 60ft Broome Pearl Lugger from Fremantle, Western Australia across the Great Australian Bight to Adelaide in South Australia. She had been built on the beach in Broome in the early 1900s and her frame was made entirely of MANGROVE, including her knees, of which there were plenty! They were heavy and showed the grain and some knots of the original trees! I had no idea how hard retrieving knees from tree stumps was and watch you guys doing so with great admiration for your perseverance and skill! Arabella will be all the better for these patiently wrought knees that bring so much strength to a traditional wooden hull! Great viewing!

[@davexb6595]

I love hard work. I can watch it for hours.

[@TheDevilWAH]

There is a genius to playing the single speed soundtrack during the timelaps clips. It gets across the point of what hours and days of slow steady skilled work can achieve. Thanks for sharing the journey.

[@joebrown1382]

Wow those knees are rock hard. You are the hardest working guy you're like the Energizer Bunny. Awesome video & I love the fiberglass boat she's beautiful.

[@bgdavenport]

I took note of your temperature report. We suffered a bone-chilling 15 degree drop in temp in one day here in Athens, GA. It was an agonizing 45 degrees! I couldn't bring myself to go outside despite the sunny skies. You can bless me out if you care to do so! LOL!!!

[@fuggnut]

Never thought about knees before so it was great to learn why you use them. Nice video!

[@renfroyourfro1582]

Thank goodness I can still watch A2A while across the pond! Thanks, y'all 😀

[@moistnugget4019]

Its already a ritual. Saturday morning brewing a nice coffee and going back to bed watching your new video. Cozy

[@bobuk5722]

Oh! I was going to say "Oh Knees - that's hard work" but I was blown away by the fiberglass version of Arabella at Martha's Boatyard. What a target! Thanks for the 'add on!'. BobUK

[@KPSince1953]

The drawings of the boat would make amazing wall art! It could make a great edition to your merch store. I would definitely buy some prints.

[@mauriceharnett7133]

Watching these videos is therapeutic. It's another reason I look forward to Fridays. Love the way you guys approach your work, doing it right and building to last. When you get her on the water, I hope you come to Ireland, would love to see it in the flesh.

[@ericendreszl9855]

Steve is a beast on those stump knees, when Alix is filming. Fantastic idea from a sustainablilty standpoint, perfect land management in my mind. Kudos #myman

[@CuddlePoop]

thank you for your hard work, i really appreciate your videos and explanations of processes, especially galvanic action

[@tomaskrashevsky818]

It is extremely impressive amount of work, effort and willingness you put into this boat. Luckily, you have most of the wood on site. Working those stumps is on another level :) but as long as you love what you do and have a lot of fun all goes well. On tv can offer this kind of real and interesting stuff. :) Can't wait for your boat to take a splash.

[@bgdavenport]

I wanted to add my kudos for your creative and thoughtful use of the materials in the construction of Arabelle. Using those stumps for the knees is a tremendous way to use the whole tree!

[@billhamilton2366]

I normally get up early Fridays to watch favourite boys in the whole wide room.....BUT this week I got up early and headed out to the airyport. So I'm sitting with my toes in the South of Cancun watching you guys in the Frozen tundra. The east coast through to the lower Great Lakes has been hit by a pretty big winter storm. thanks to the mid west US. I'll be enjoying refreshing beverages for the next couple of weeks... cheers

[@bogdanmamalat2671]

Keep up the great work guys your consistency and attention to detail is amazing, pleasure watching this process.

[@davidc6510]

Awesome job Stephen. Your work ethic and physical endurance attacking those stumps is amazing. Enjoyed the video and explanation of how to get the knees and what they are used for. Thanks!

[@Joe___R]

It is too late now but a good way I have found to clean off roots is to use a dustless blasting system, with the abrasives as well as high pressure water it does a great job of stripping off the soil and the bark. Since it is just using baking soda for the blasting media it won't turn the roots into sanding sticks like sandblasting would.

[@AndrexT]

They look really hard to work with but the grain in the knees is stunning. You can be knocking out some great kitchen cutting boards and presentation boards.

[@GEOLIND]

Regarding the oak knees, I know that in the Middle Ages the Dutch boat builders used the natural knees above the ground. They would use the joint of the trunk and a big branch rather than the roots. A lot easier to harvest and also very strong! Trees were hand picked especially for the best knees available.

[@MrRvandeW]

liking the color on the fiberglass Arabella alot

[@ninjaassassin27]

You guys won't believe this, but I have been growing two of my own knees for 25 years now. They're firmly in the center of each leg.

[@dexter2433]

salt & tar is awesome and Acorn to Arabella is also very awesome love watching people do such grand projects

[@billsugden3734]

During the age of sail, oak tree saplings would be forced to grow in such a way as to form knees in upper growth.. Now that is forward thinking looking to a harvest at least thirty years down the line. The last I heard the last trees specifically grown this way were in Spain.

[@thomasarussellsr]

For the Gallions?

[@TheEarthwinders]

Brilliant! Makes great sense to save a ton of time if you're building boats as a generational occupation.

[@tomdom_0143]

Trees were also grown specifically to make walls and fences. I’m a process called coppicing, you could cut trees and branches just above the node, the tree would then grow pole-like branches that could be woven together for structures.

[@iainmceachran321]

As always, very interesting. As an ex-sea goer, I learned rope work and model making such as ships in bottles. Thank you for fulfilling my order all the way here to Scotland. Keep up the goof work.

[@Garryck-1]

Hey! A fellow ship-bottler! G'day from downunder!

[@iainmceachran321]

JAFO great to hear from another ships in bottles guy. We must be a dying breed! All sorts of bottles from half gallon (and larger) down to miniatures and smaller! Keep up the good work mate!

[@cliffstevenson5773]

Another appropriate acorn antecedent!

[@heithdotysadventures7824]

Mann . Them two cutoffs / slabs sitting on top of the scrap under the plank frame would make AWESOME corner shelfs . I know this bed was from Xmas but I'm placing a 50 cent bet you guys still have them ✔🖒💪

[@AndrewShackleton]

You guys are truly awesome. I look forward to your videos every week!

[@terrygrotefeld4814]

Steve, great to see the knees being hacked from such huge stumps, you have the gift of "X ray eyes" to see the knee buried in the stump, well done and cheers from England. P, Can you get steel toe capped boots in the US, we used to call them "Toetectors"

[@fordfan3179]

I live just a little bit north of Baltimore and I've toured the The USS Constellation at Inner Harbor. The knees on that ship are amazing. The knees by the bow are three way knees. It was one of the things I absolutely touched because I know it was made in the 1700s. Most of the rest of the ship has been replaced over the years.

[@s.a.c.b7769]

Saludos desde colombia - Córdoba-Montería me tardé aproximadamente 15 días para ver todos sus videos . Aunque no hablé ni entienda ingles me gustó mucho su canal espero con ansias el próximo vídeo

[@BllNlsn]

LOL you should have told us all to wear our three d glasses when you started swinging that axe around!

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the video.

[@MrGhendri]

I almost spilled my beer ducking the 4th swing of the axe.

[@gakjarr]

Really enjoyed this one, guys! Thanks!!

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Acorns. 👍👌👏 Oh WOW, what an enormous amount of hard work went into those very special knees. My deep respect especially to Stephen. Please kindly allow me to suggest some items that could help: 1) Try to use a special carving disc for an angle grinder. It definitely can save a lot of work/time because it removes much more material than an electric hand planer (great Leo Goolden uses them also). 2) There are special chainsaw chains for cutting dirty tree roots. There are also chains that can cut through concrete. In my opinion you should try them out both. Thanks a lot for making taping editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck health and wisdom.

[@thomasarussellsr]

I was thinking a router bed to level a side, then flip it and do it again. I've seen loads of slabs done this way, and don't see why it wouldn't work in this application.

[@Orxenhorf]

Go watch Stumpy Nubs video on power carving from last month first. Then, preferably, forget about them.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear@@Orxenhorf ??? Forget about what? I suggested a CARVING DISC not a grinding disk with chainsaw teeth! Please kindly allow me to suggest: Go watch fantastic craftsman and boatbuilder Leo Goolden, channel Sampson Boat Co. (Tally Ho) for instance before you do suggestions (unless you are a troll and only want to provocate). Thanks in advance. Best regards luck health and wisdom.

[@Orxenhorf]

It is not the cutting method of the disc that is the danger. It is any high speed spinning disc tool grinding on the face that is dangerous. They did okay with the wire wheel they used because it isn't rigid and won't catch, any rigid disc can and will yank the still spinning tool out of your control.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

@@Orxenhorf Nonsense! Even a wire wheel is able to kind of throw back especially any angle grinder (and even a drilling machine)! Or take the machine out of your hands. Again: I suggested a CARVING DISK. There are several types. In general you are right: Angle grinders are respectively can be dangerous machines/tools. Much more than other electrical tools. Have a good life.

[@SteveP-vm1uc]

I've seen OAK KNEES for sale after a hurricane here in Florida. It's probably a great place to get them since they grow in sand and mother nature has done the difficult work of removing them whole from the Earth.. You can also make fast work of cleaning the stumps of rocks and dirt with a power washer.. It can get messy, but you will save many hours and your back...

[@jackfunk5765]

Outstanding to see the woodchips in the beard again. It's been 6 months or so for the last sighting of beard chips. Love it

[@Snakerow1]

You guys a really great. I’m so happy I found you.

[@lory2622]

HOLY CRAP Steve!!! We’re right here, I could’ve lost an eye!. 2:30

[@AlaskaSkidood]

Wow, keep up the great work! That fiberglass Ingrid is beautiful! Its great to get an idea of what the finished product will be. It is quite a fetching look. I'm excited to continue following your progress.

[@bphenry]

OMG! 8:00 look at the RAYS in that oak. Those are gonna be some BEAUTIFUL knees!

[@k.c.sunshine1934]

Just think of all the wonderful mushrooms that can be grown on that oak substrate! Very cool process for making those knees!

[@ATONAL6173]

And 9:15 moves me to comment again... :) Funny how a couple years ago, I had no knowledge of wooden boats, but after Seeker, Tales from a Shipwright, Tally Ho and you two have made me say, "Oh this will be a fun video, but I already know what knees are, this video is for the noobs...Wait...Oh! Knees aren't just the deck support, they're a term that can be applied to breasthooks and other areas....huh. Thanks for reflecting our world's hard-won knowledge back into the world, brothers! Can't forget to mention Roy Underhill, Peter Follansbee, Paul Sellers, James Wright, Renaissance WW, Steve Ramsey Jennie Alexander and twelve others I can't think of right now that have led me to grab every random log on the side of the road and always having that ever-present pile of shavings in the workshop. History is funny, this past quarter century or so has seen such rapid change in information and lifestyle, when it all settles down, people will ask us, "What was it like?"

[@alexjaffe5143]

As a new watcher the content & explanations and processes are awesome although I wish the episodes were numbered

[@AcornToArabella]

We tried the numbers at first but it kept getting us flagged on KZbin for some reason. If you go to our channel and go to the playlist tab. There is one with all the videos and they will play in order. Hope that helps.

[@robertvonkulig801]

Nice to see what she will look like!

[@eduardvaniersel7535]

Oak knees are used in Dutch tradional boat building very frequently. But we don't use the root ball, but bend branches instead.

[@xclusivekid123]

I’ve been following since the first episode, and I’ve gotten this far and definitely enjoy watching this from scratch.. No bad intentions but does anyone else notice Alix is always on vacation? 😔😔😔🤯🤯🤯

[@derbyshirebirdwatcher6054]

Old recipe for Canada Goose 1. Prepare goose as normal. 2. Place house brick in large metal tub or pan. 3. Place goose on top of brick. 4. Fill with water to cover goose and brick. 5. Boil for 2 hours. 6. Dispose of goose and eat brick. It tastes better than Canada goose. Cheers from England!

[@rong1924]

"Steve would be staying behind for Christmas to wrangle the rest of the knees from their stumps." Awww. Like a young Ebenezer.

[@RealityIsTheNow]

Very cool you got to climb around on an Ingrid. Those fiberglass versions are EXTREMELY seaworthy boats...quite a few around here. There's a sloop version in my marina.

[@njaahkbackyardbodyworks1807]

Great Job guys....I feel your pains even though Im just restoring a car....Keep it up!!!

[@raceace]

That's some stubborn lumber but still way better than my knees. Never thought I'd look at that awkward cut and wish for a Two man pull saw.

[@richardsiddon610]

Great episode guys. Best wishes for the coming year.

[@paulbaird1351]

You guys work all the time, and for my viewing entertainment. It would be so cool to just see you guys hanging out in the off time if you even have any. Do a video of a normal day for you guys if one exists?

[@4stringmanagmaildcom]

I understand that it's a wooden boat and the aesthetic of wood but I'd be doing bronze. Especially compared to the toil it's taking to harvest these and the number required. You already have bronze floors and have the material and know how to make them. Visible bronze gives of a great vibe on a boat.

[@AcornToArabella]

We will have some bronze knees as well. It depends on where we are using them.

[@freesk8]

You guys are amazing! :)

[@WesFanMan]

That axe coming at you was something right out of Monster Chiller Horror Theatre with Count Floyd and Dr Tongue.

[@AerosfilisOfficial]

gosh the oak looks so good I reckon the left over will be firewood but man does it make me want to just take some of it and make furniture out of them!

[@tomnugent1344]

Tamarack are known for their thin growth rings, or age rings. I have a walking stick of Tamarack & I counted a hundred years plus, so a hundred year old tree could be 2 or 3 inches across and only 6-8 ft tall, in our bogs in Canada, so to get a tree with a knee that large is rare & possibly a 4 or 5 hundred year old, and because they are in a bog, like Andrew said, they are very water resistant.

[@michaelsnell4034]

When you go to finish the knees, a router flattening sled setup may be in order. At least for one side.

[@annotten7413]

This episode stumped everyone 😭

[@joshua43214]

Real work there on those knees! Can't help thinking that 2 guys and a whip saw might have been much easier. Might be hard to find the saw tho... prolly have to rescue one off the wall of a restaurant in logging country :)

[@cf6282]

Again amazing craftsmanship.

[@oikkuoek]

Quick tech tip for rippin' with a chainsaw: Cutting blade needs to be as close to 90 degrees as you can get it towards to the direction of the chain. Seems a bit counter intuitive, but this allows the blade to cut, and not slide with the grain. other important part is the cleaner blade right before the cutting blade. When checked with a ruler, there needs to be a 0.05 - 0.1 inch gap between the ruler (cutting edge) and the cleaner blade. If the cleaner blade gap isn't big enough, the blade won't cut, no matter how sharp the cutter blade is. Then the final thing: Revs. You need revs to cut, and clean the cutting surface. The basic weight of the saw is enough to run the cut, so no need to press and damage the blade. Lots of revs, gentle cut, 90 degree cutting angle, and enough gap to cut. Then cut first the outlines of the cut on every side with a different saw, so when the actual ripping starts, you'll have clean surface all the way around, and the blade doesn't have to drag dirt and pebbles through the cut.

[@alexanderheilman2526]

I feel a little foolish, I’ve only used chainsaws for firewood, but never realized there where different chains for particular cuts. Neat!

[@bawrytr]

That's what I was thinking too, lots of rocks. One thing I'd be tempted to do would be to cut off the sapwood now - can't have it in the knees and it will be easier to remove now while it's green. Also the sapwood tends to attract bugs.

[@planegaper]

was hoping for a better look at the interior of of the Ingrid, kinda brings to life what you are working on , as far as dimensions galley, and working space etc.. also how the mizzen mast and engine are sorted, acess etc.. looks like she's pretty roomy, and stand up cabin, nice teak interior.. and he's got her well appointed, with davits, etc,, lot's of stays for the masts as well, the solar panels fitted to the roof are great as well, af few batteries, a decent size water tank, and supplies, and she's good to go for a lon trip..boat looks sea worthy as hell..I think you guys may have it even better as a wooden hull will breathe, and you don't get the condensation and fiberglass odors, just wood, and fresh air.. plus I bet she'll be havier and more stable in a heavy sea, maybe a bit sluggish in a light wind, but she's not a perf racer.. from the looks of it she'll make a fine live aboard, perfect for 1 week legs down the coast..

[@Garryck-1]

One week legs down the coast? Come on now.. she's made to cross *oceans,* not just do coastal jaunts.

[@Digimer]

At 24:00, I think I could see Stephen imagining sitting in Arabella, soon. ^_^

[@rick91443]

Love watching...cheers...rr Normandy, France

[@susanadams4944]

We were there in 16 for the landings ceremony. We liked Normandy a lot.

[@rick91443]

@@susanadams4944 Great. We live inland, in horse country, a stone's throw from the Haras du Pin National Stud...rr

[@susanadams4944]

Richard Rider Real nice country, Normandy. I didn’t think much of Paris.

[@rick91443]

@@susanadams4944 Yes, Paris isn't what it used to be; lived there my first 20 years in France, beginning in 78. Those were the days; Paris was a blast, beautiful, safe, and much cheaper than now...

[@susanadams4944]

Richard Rider I believe you. Best wishes.

[@dr.walterjohnston5589]

I am very surprised that you guys took all that time to manually approximate size the knees. I know there is a reason, but It appears to me it would have been much easier and faster to take them to a sawmill and just have then run through 2 to 3 times to get the approximate size you need. Other than cost, please explain. Love watching. I learn more with each episode. Thanks for all you do.

[@Garryck-1]

Sawmills don't like having their expensive blades destroyed by rocks. So yes, it would come down to costs, either way.

[@freepress8451]

Thanks I kneeded this

[@thomasarussellsr]

I see what you did there 👀.

[@paulmcleod2547]

Man you guys are the Bees Knees!

[@thomastonelli3272]

Jump shooting duck is a blast. I used to hunt the lower part of the same brook when I was your aged and before it became posted. In high water try it where it joins the river very cool hunting closer to a southern duck hunt

[@Farage528]

Jaysus mind ur feet swinging that axe , love the vids lads amazing work 👏👏👏👏👏

[@rhavrane]

Bonjour et Bonne Année Alix and Stephen ! Always happy to follow your amazing adventure. I have seen two of my wood model hulls "explode" this summer with about 4°C heat because just painted without any eopxy oat. How do and will you manage you woods differences in humidity and hardness now and in the future ? As I am not a specialist at all, please forgive these questions : - Would it be possible to obtain the same result with a laminated wood with lots of thin layers? - Is it possible to use a piece of wood which has slots ? Amicalement, Raphaël

[@akay4500]

God bless your neighbours! 🤫😆 I bet you were super motivated after spending time on Arabella’s fibreglass sister!? Awesome 👍

[@padderickpeak9493]

can't wait to see how high that floor level ends up by the time you finish Arabella! what with all the sawdust and chips hehe

[@tolbaszy8067]

Tamarack (Larch) is tough wood. It was used by Native Americans for lodge poles. It is light weight and tough when peeled and dried. It was also used for sash and door frames. Are branch crotches suitable for knees? They would be relatively dirt and rock free. Thanks for the videos!

[@AcornToArabella]

Yes and we would have used Tamarack if we had any around here. But alas, we have white oak ;)

[@TheWhimsicalWoodworker]

20:08 hydraulics for the win!

[@marinkagreen9415]

Did he say deck beam? Wow... crazy how far they come

[@ksingleton101]

I was told once that the part of the tree being used here is also used for gun stock or at one time used for gun stock, is that true? I would think the tight grain and the curve would be great for flintlock pistol stock since the gun is mostly wood with a barrel attached to the wood rather than the handle attached to the barrel and metal frame? Love the video's and the explanation of how things fit and work to provide strength to the ship. Thank you for documenting so much of the build!

[@deeparks3112]

It is true, Flintlock gunne maker here. When choosing wood for a rifle or pistol stock one pays attention to the grain as it flows through the wrist area, that area immediately behind the flintlock device and leading into the butt (rifle), or handle (pistol) of the piece. Naturally a pistol requires a more acute angle than a rifle stock.

[@petert3355]

@@deeparks3112 So roots and limbs would be what your are looking for Dee?

[@deeparks3112]

@@petert3355 Root stock is used and can be quite beautiful. I prefer limb stock for pistol making because there is less "checking" and warping to deal with during the drying process. I generally allow three to four years for drying because I want to know the wood is stable before using it for a firearm stock.

[@petert3355]

@@deeparks3112 Makes sense. Most of my wood is cured for 4-5 years before I do anything with it. It helps to have the space for some large drying sheds.

[@inmyopinion6836]

Nice !

[@jsbrads1]

Some of the knees on the big one look like they be made into more than one.

[@dejorgensen10]

I think the USS Constitution utilizes Oak Knees. There is a Strategic Naval Oak Reserve in Pensacola, FL.