The North European expanded dug out boat - building and sailing of replicas in 1996.The North European expanded dug out boat - building and sailing of replicas in 1996.In 1996, as a Finnish-Estonian co-project, there were three dug out boats built in Estonia, in the area of Parnu. This is the only area in Europe where the ancient technique of making dug out boats for utility has preserved active to the present times.
The technique of making a North European expanded dug out boat is briefly as follows:
You need a sound and straight trunk of aspen. The trunk is hollowed out with an adze having a dish-shaped bit. The hollowed trunk is then expanded with the help of heating. Frame timber of spruce are put in.
A more detailed building description is in the book Äspingen - Den forntida österlandsfararens färdmedel (in Swedish, see literary production), which also contains information of finds and the history of the dug out boat.
Above you see our voyage along the Estonian rivers and lakes in 1966. This experimental expedition is thoroughly described in the previously mentioned book.
The route followed an elderly waterway for ancient seafarers on their way from the Baltic Sea to Izborsk and further East. Izborsk, which is south of lake Peipus, was according to the Nestor chronicle one of the bases in the foundation of the state of Rus during the 9th century.
| Literary production | Latest news | Main page |