The Reaper

[Bothy_Loon]

The Reaper entering Arbroath Harbour on the East coast of Scotland today.
She is owned by the Fisheries Museum I Anstruther, Fife & some time back I posted pictures of the trees I used to make the masts. My involvement was in scourcing the right trees, milling the bottom 15ft into 20x20inch square, before passing them on to the boatbuilders for final rounding & fitting. They seem to be standing up well.

[Jeff]

I wish I was standing there in the light breeze watching her come in and seeing you smile. 

[Bothy_Loon]

I wish I was standing there in the light breeze watching her come in and seeing you smile. 

Thank you. I had a big grin on my face. Not supplied any masts for a year or two now. Think the economic climate has put paid to a lot of restoration jobs.

[Magicman]

You are enjoying "job satisfaction" to it's fullest.   

[Dave Shepard]

That is very cool. What species of tree do you use for the masts, and what length and diameter are needed?

[isawlogs]

The 20 x 20 number you give helps with the perspective of the size of the boat, do you know the size of the boat ???

[Texas Ranger]

Well, done, and can only wish to be standing there with you, Jeff, and the rest of the sea faring humans.

[Bothy_Loon]

Glad you found the shot interesting.
The masts were made of Douglas Fir which were from a seed scource on the McKenzie river, over your side.
The tall mast came into me at 69ft & the shorter was 55ft.
I cannot remember the longth of the boat but will try to find out.

[thecfarm]

I think this is the thread?

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,14849.20.html

The masts look just fine. The farthest my wood went is MI on Jeff's porch ceiling. That's all I have for bragging rights.

[Norm]

Beautiful  picture, thanks.

[whiskers]

very interesting and thanks. here's a link to S/V Reaper

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaper_(sailing_vessel)

[Bothy_Loon]

very interesting and thanks. here's a link to S/V Reaper
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaper_sailing_vessel29

That's my girl!
I should have said also that the Douglas Fir that was used for the masts were grown from seed scoured along thr Fraser River.
I also got involved with masts & spars for the Kirkenes.
The Kirkenes was used as a pilot boat in Kirkenes in the far north of Norway. She was found in a derelict state about 5 years ago in Portugal & was bought by a man who lives not to far from me. He heard that I did trees for masts so contacted me. It was a real pleasure taking him to the wood to see his trees being selected then felled & taken to roadside.
The story does not have a happy ending though. It seems the boatyard in Portugal where he has spent a fortune on restoring the boat, wants even more money & it has now got messy with lawyers involved. I hope someday that he gets his boat back & I can get a few pictures of her in full sail. The owner has suggested a trip to Kirkenes, but I am no sailor & the North sea can be a rough place!