Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

To construct the forefoot of the wooden boat Arabella, the crew steam-bends three two-inch-thick oak planks to create a continuous, grain-aligned structural member.5:41 The forefoot joins the keel timber to the bow assembly, requiring high strength to withstand impact forces.3:01 By steam-bending the primary laminations, the builders avoid short grain run-out and the structural weakness of multiple scarf joints.5:24 The team fabricated a custom steam box and boiler from a repurposed steel tank and a wood stove.1:34 After steaming the planks for two hours, they clamped the timber around a pre-built mold, achieving the required arc with minimal spring-back.9:00 To complete the assembly, the crew shaped an additional oak piece with a dished profile to match the curve of the bent laminations, allowing for easier attachment of the final straight-grained nose pieces.10:43 This method ensures the grain follows the curve of the timber, providing maximum structural integrity for the bow assembly.10:26

More from Acorn To Arabella

We Stripped Our Wooden Sailboat Back to Bare Wood... AgainOct 2026Saying Goodbye to Newfoundland—and the Man Who Inspired ArabellaSept 2026Upgrading the Rudder and Another Trek To The CliffAug 2026We're Climbing a Wall No One Has Ever Climbed Before | Rock Climbing on Newfoundland's South CoastJul 2026

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