Woles

This robust expedition yacht was designed with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. The result is a lot of boat in a reasonably sized package. The split level is a great solution. There are four guest staterooms with the forward two half a flight up. This allows a large pump and systems room under that space. The main deck is set up for entertaining. The galley and breakfast nook are up a half a flight of stairs and includes a day head and all are convenient to the wheelhouse.

That central staircase then proceeds up into the mock stack and offers protected access to the boat deck. There is also an external stair from the port side Portuguese bridge to the boat deck for handling the tenders. From the boat deck the flybridge is accessed by another half a flight of stairs. The flybridge is generous and set up with steering station and with entertainment in mind and includes a gas grill, wet bar and refrigerator.

Crew accommodations are for a captain and two hands and includes their own galley/laundry area, dining area and separate showers.

Power is provided by a single Caterpillar 3408C marine diesel generating 540 hp for a top speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 9 knots. Other features of the design include stabilizers, bilge keels, twin generators and a "get-home" system.

Here are the plans.

Was very excited to follow Peter Marshall's 2014 expedition attempt re-creating the 1905 Labrador crossing by Mina Hubbard (original post here). Unfortunately, the journey was halted over the Wapustan portage due to injury but credit is due to the 2 man crew for attempting this isolated and challenging route.

In the meantime, I've been re-reading The Woman Who Mapped Labrador, a very well researched book which included Mina Hubbard's diary in print for the first time. This time around, I noted some of the gear used for the trip. Page 103 cites:

"In the hold were six maple paddles and two "Guides Special" canvas covered canoes, each "Dead Grass" in colour and 19 feet in length, purchased by Mina just a month before for $70.00 from the Old Town Canoe Company of Maine."

As an interesting aside, her original invoice for the two 19' Guide Special Canoes and 4 of the  paddles were posted onto this thread on the WCHA forums.  The remaining two paddles were evidently secured by George Elson later along their journey to North West River Post in Labrador.



On the 100th anniversary of the trip, the tiny village of North West River did a re-enactment of Mina Hubbard's departure. While the 19ft Old Town Guide Specials were no longer being built, 2 canoes were procured for the event and painted in that "dead grass" colour as documented in the invoice.




Here's the "George Elson" fellow posing with his paddle on shore...