Friends,
Every once in a while, a woodworker comes up with a REALLY interesting project — a BIG PROJECT. I just saw one such project. A guy build a full size working replica of Noah’s Ark, in the Netherlands. WHen I heard about it, I had to see the photos. While I have no interest in building a big wooden boat which will hold lots of animal pairs, I do admire this guy’s vision, stamina, and ability. I urge you to take a look at:
http://newsblaze.com/story/20080919073434zzzz.nb/topstory.html
Hope you enjoy seeing this great woodworking project. If I were Fine Woodworking, I would send someone to the Netherlands to cover the story, and write it up for a FWW Issue.
Have fun.
Mel
PS – there is nothing religious in this post. It is a post about woodworking.
Replies
What a great idea for a new cruise line
Mel:
Thanks for the link. Can't help but wonder what it cost him to build. He built it in far less time than Noah, must have cheated and used power tools. The article says the boat was built to use as sort of a museum. I'd love to build a replica ark and sell cruises on it. Maybe you should repost this under business opportunities.
gdblake
GD,
Good to hear from you. Glad to see your sense of humor is in high gear. I believe they are making some money by charging admission to the big wooden boat. I found another website that has video of the boat. YOu can see it at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsT7T_FNB1g
I don't know how long it took to build, the kind of wood that was used, the joinery, etc, but would like to find out more. That is why I suggested a FWW article on the subject. I agree with you. I doubt the builder limited himself to hand tools.
Have fun.
Mel
The guy did use power tools
Mel:
A second video link from the YouTube link says he used modern power tools while building his ark. He has a lot of post and beam construction going on. Built mostly of pine and cedar. Spent 1.2 million on it which he financed through bank loans. He needs to sell 100,000 tickets to break even, that should be easy. Even though his is 2/3 the length of a football field, it is only 1/5 the size of the original. A full size replica would make a great cruise ship, plenty of room for guests and lots of activities. Just think of all the tie in tourist junk you could sell to passengers with this. I'm telling you Mel, if Jim Baker could make millions selling nonexistent hotel rooms real Ark cruises would be a money machine.
gdblake
What's a cubit?
Riiiight!
Ray,
To find out what a cubit is, I will have to go back and listen to the old comedy routine by Bill Cosby. I'll let you know what I find out.
Mel
Mel
Re the LN tool event Fri & Sat. There is a Thurs event for WWG members from 7 to 9 pm including a discount offered on tools. Do you think it is worth going up to Baltimore in rush hour traffic to spend only two hours at the pre event? This is not to be confused with the Thurs set up, but a chance to look at all the tools and ask questions. I'm not too sure if it includes any demonstrations.
Professor Swenson,
YOu mentioned going to Baltimore. The event is in Annapolis, at Exotic Lumber. That is a long trip for you. I am going to send you a private message.
Mel
Like a New Yorker, who thinks everything on the other side of the Hudson is the rest of the unknown world, I think of everythint north of DC as Baltimore till you get to Delaware. I knew it was Annapolis.
Ray, To find out what a
R
A cubit is a unit of measure used for a couple thousand years
Joinerswork:
Here is a link which defines a cubit in terms of a unit of measure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubit. I've always been taught that it was somewhere between 17 and 22 inchs in length. Riiiiight! Love the Bill Cosby reference.
gdblake
gd,
you did some great research. Well, now I know that it is not a replica, but merely a "model", i am mildly disappointed. However, it was still one heckuva woodworking project!!!
As far as making big money goes -- I WOULD LOVE TO DO IT. I keep thinking I can do it by making a better infill than Holtey. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Maybe the coming era of the gigantic wooden cruise ships is the way to go instead. Thanks for posting that.
Mel
PS The LN show is here on Friday and Saturday. It will be a great time. Interesting people always show up.
"PS - there is nothing religious in this post. It is a post about woodworking."
Well, calling it a replica implies that there was an original to replicate...Don't worry, I won't tell the moderator.
c
ckm,
You don't have to be a Catholic to carve a cherub.
THere is a big difference between a discussion of a large piece of woodwork (replica of Noah's Ark, and a discussion of religion. This is a discussion about the woodwork involved.
Mel
Well, calling it a replica does imply that there was an original...
timing
I'm thinking about planning a visit, arriving on December 19, 2012. That should be about right. ;-)
In the interim, I'll keep an eye on the newstands for a new Taunton magazine, "FineArkBuilding". ;-)
Do my eyes deceive me
Another wonderful folly. How a tale from the old part leads to converts to the new part, is anybodies guess. What is also in question is does it actually float. It almost looks like it was built inside a steel barge. Even if that is the case, it doesn't detract from the woodworking effort. Sort of like the group that made a sea going, ancient Egyptian boat from interlocked blocks of wood (not ribs and planks), shown on Nova and went on a long journey on the Red Sea. As I said, a wonderful folly.
Peter
Peter,
ALso reminds me of the large wooden airplane that Howard Hughes built, The Spruce Goose. It flew, though not so long, and not so high, and not so well. I think it was a piece of wooden artwork of the first order.
But as they say, "build it and they will come." People are paying to see this new wooden structure. Hey, the guy had a dream and he made it come true. Three cheers for him.
I think it would make most people's "top ten woodworking projects of the Year" list.
Have fun.
Mel
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