Marila Replica at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Watch us build a boat! The Replica Sloop Windekilde Our boatshed with doors open on a fine winter day, offering waterfront strollers a look at the progress on Windekilde.

The Museum's latest boatbuilding project is Windekilde, a replica of Marila, a 24' 0" gaff rigged sloop. One of the oldest vessels in the Museum's collection, Marila was a fishing sloop converted to a pleasure craft in 1928 and sailed until the 1940s. Find out about the original Marila. Images of the construction of the replica will be posted here on a regular basis so visitors can see a small craft being built. Windekilde is planked in pine over steam bent oak frames. The keel is oak, as is the stem and transom. The carvel planking will be 3/4" thick as are the frames and decking. The spars will be made of Douglas Fir. Windekilde is named for Niels Windekilde Jannasch (1924-2001) Niels grew up in Hamburg, Germany and in the service of the German Merchant Navy, sailed aboard many ships, including Passat, on which he rounded Cape Horn. He began his association with the Maritime Museum of Canada in 1959 and was the first Director of the Maritime Musuem of the Atlantic. Join us on July 3, 2004 at 11 am as we launch Windekilde.

In the boatshed October 31, 2001 Pictured here, you can see the replica's keel, with her stem in the foreground and transom hidden in the back. The rabbet (a carved groove to accept planking) is cut and most of her ribbands run. Next step will be cutting the timber landings in her keel. To the left of the picture you can see the lofting is still set up on the large sloped white boards.	In the boatshed December 13, 2001 The frame pockets, also known as timber landings, have been added to the keel. These are the yellowish notches visible along the keel. The frames, which act as ribs for the boat, will fit into the pockets.
Dressed for a damp, chilly day, Museum boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly tests the fit of a frame pocket in the stern by tapping in a frame sample with a mallet. The frames will be made of Nova Scotian Red Oak, 3/4" thick, 1 3/4" in width.	In the boatshed February 23, 2002 With the public's help, a start has been made on steam bending the oak frames into the timber landings.
The new frames along the starboard side. The steam box, used to bend the frames, can be seen at the rear, just above the step ladder.	In the boatshed March 2, 2002 Through a wall of steam, the public watch another frame being prepared in the steambox!
Museum boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly places a steaming hot oak frame into its pocket while a volunteer stands by to clamp it tight.	In the boatshed March 15, 2002 After a second steam bending session, all the frames are in place and now await trimming.
Trimming the Frames April, 2002 Museum interpreter Adam Langley trims a frame for a snug fit.	In the boatshed May 15, 2002 The frames have been trimmed and been given a rough coat of red primer to seal them. Soon planking can start. Weeks after the steam bending, a faint smell of steamy wet oak still lingers!
In the boatshed July 23, 2002 The pace has picked up over the summer with planking started (above)and deck beams installed (below).	In the boatshed August 5, 2002 Planking has begun on the foredeck.
In the boatshed December 11, 2002 After summer and fall demonstrations, Eamonn Doorly finishes deck planking and the bowsprit has been fitted	At the Halifax International Boat Show on February 18, 2003. Planking the vessel continues while museum Heritage Interpreter sews grommets in what will become the boat's jib.
Deck planking removed to allow the public a view of the deck beam layout.	Museum staff member paring bungs.
Museum staff discuss the next phase of planking. After a long hiatus, work was recommenced in the south Boatshed on the museum wharf during the summer months.	In the boatshed summer, 2003 Planking is completed up forward.
In the boatshed summer, 2003 This view clearly shows the planking on deck and allows you to fully appreciate the shape and elegance of this Tancook sloop.	In the boatshed August, 2003 Carved mahogany nameboard with incised gilded lettering of Windkilde. Dedicated to the memory of Niels Jannasch, first and former Director of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and an inspiration to all who have worked there.
In the boatshed August, 2003 The rum plank waiting to go on.	Post Hurricane Juan Windekilde on Sept. 30, 2003 during clean-up from Hurricane Juan. The sloop was unharmed but the storm surge filled the boatshed with flotsam, the last of which you can see in the foreground.
Fall, 2003 Combings installed, deck caulked and forward bulkhead installed. - Nov. 26, 2003.	January, 2004 Caulking being rolled into seams. - Jan. 8, 2004
January, 2004 Final sanding of hull before painting, bowsprit and stern bulkhead installed. - Jan. 8, 2004.	January, 2004 Hull primed and boottop painted. - Jan. 29, 2004
January, 2004 Rounding the transom. - Jan. 29, 2004.	April, 2004 Mast stepped and final lengths of standing rigging beind determined. - Apr. 20, 2004
May, 2004 Final colours applied, bobstay and hardware attached. - May. 27, 2004.	May, 2004 Rudder and tiller installed. - May. 27, 2004
June, 2004 June 2, 2004 - Windekilde on the right with rigging just completed, sits side by side with the original Tancook sloop Marila in the Small Craft Gallery.	June, 2004 June 2, 2004 - Windekilde on the right with rigging just completed, sits side by side with the original Tancook sloop Marila in the Small Craft Gallery.
July, 2004 July 2, 2004 - Windekilde on the jetty as final preparations for Launch Day continue.	July, 2004 July 2, 2004 - Windekilde on the jetty as final preparations for Launch Day continue.
July, 2004 July 3, 2004 - Boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly and Barbara Jannasch prepare to send Windekilde on its way.	July, 2004 July 3, 2004 - Champagne at the ready...
July, 2004 July 3, 2004 - Raise your glasses...	July, 2004 July 3, 2004 - A non-violent christening!
July, 2004 July 3, 2004 - Windekilde on its way.	July, 2004 July 3, 2004 - Windekilde and Eamonn Doorly both safely afloat.
*Thank you to everyone who stopped by to watch us send Windekilde* on her way!**

		This page and all contents copyright of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Contact webmaster with questions or comments regarding this page. Last Updated 4 July 2004 - RSM.

The Replica Sloop Windekilde