Strange and beautiful landscapes from the Row to the Pole expedition to Magnetic North

Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD  Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD

Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD

These fascinating landscapes come from members of the Row to the Pole expedition led by veteran Arctic explorer Jock Wishart.

Click on the shots for a much bigger and better view: all but the last image are taken by Antony Woodford by the way – so thanks Antony!

The expedition sponsored by Old Pulteney Whisky aims to row to the Magnetic North Pole to demonstrate how much ice has gone from the area through global warming, and it certainly seems strange to note that until recent years the rocks and land at these high latitudes probably haven’t seen the sky for hundreds of thousands of years. That’s my guess, but no doubt the expeditions scientific advisers can provide the real figure.

The seriously scary information these rowers want to get across is that at its current rate of melting, the polar ice cap could disappear completely in three decades.

Doubtless this would have a profound effect on our weather systems.

Regular readers may recall reading that boatbuilder and historian Will Stirling is skippering a BBC camera boat following the expedition.

Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD

Row to the Pole photographed by ANTONY WOODFORD Row to the Pole


 

Chappelle tabloid cruiser from the book Boatbuilding, photographed in Australia

Chappelle's 23ft 8in tabloid cruiser in the book Boatbuilding in Australia Chappelle's 23ft 8in tabloid cruiser in the book Boatbuilding in Australia

This is the 23ft 8in tabloid cruiser described in Howard Irving Chappelle’s classic book Boat Building: A Complete Handbook of Wooden Boat Construction.

If you’ve read Chappelle’s book, you’ll likely know this design and will have been intrigued by it – I’d guess that it has something in common with New England lobster boats and Hampton boats of the past.

The photos here were kindly sent to me by Randal Cooper of Goolwa Masts. Randal reports that the boat, which is made of strip-planked cedar, is about 20 years old and is owned by a young employee of his. Randal also says that the boat is quick under sail compared to trailer yachts the same age and that there’s a plan afoot to enlarge the rig.

I’m in two minds about the idea – on one hand the rig as laid out in the plans is snug, but on the other this centreboard boat is really a big dinghy and if it gets knocked down will be too big to right. You takes your choice…

There are several other interesting sets of plans in Chappelle’s book. Are any others afloat, does anyone know? Do you have photos, please, and how do they perform?

John Krause’s Julie skiff fitted with an electric outboard

Julie skiff built by John Krause

This is John Krause on a fishing outing in his recently built Julie skiff made from ply and epoxy. He adapted the 15ft-something rowing skiff’s transom slightly for use with an electric outboard, but it still looks pretty well, don’t you think? Well done John!

There are more pictures at John’s weblog.

Julie skiff boat building plans are available to download for free here. Free plans for similar boats at 14 and 12ft are also available on this page.