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The 56' Viking Ship is a dream come true for many people. It has been a life long pursuit and dream for Jay Smith to build a Viking ship replica. He has spent many years learning the skills and the trade from the old masters in Norway. It is also a life long dream for Dave Knudsen. In 1971, he named his base camp Langskib, which means "Longship". Almost 40 years later we are actually building an authentic Langskib. Geoff Briggs has always dreamed about sailing and exploring on a ship and living as close to nature as possible. For Geoff, the Viking ship is a perfect vessel for following his dream and his passion for helping youth.

Plans
Mentoring Green
BUILDING THE VIKING SHIP
Viking Ship Stats
  • Length: 56’
  • Beam/Width/Breadth: 15’
  • Displacement: 24,000 lbs
  • Mast Height:  30’
  • Draft: 3’
  • Building material: Alaskan Yellow Cedar planking (Klinker), Oak keel & frames
  • Number of sails: 1       Sail Area: 600 sq. ft.
  • Number of Oars: 20-24
  • Engine: Diesel
  • Fuel Tanks: 150 gallons     Water tanks: 100 gallons
  • Speed under power: 7 knots cruising
  • Speed under Sail: 10 Knots
  • Speed under oar: 4 knots
  • Passenger and crew: 30 overnight, 24 passengers & 6 crew. 49 (max) day

Plans

The builder of the Ship is master shipwright, Jay Smith. He was featured in a History Channel special called “The Big Build: Viking Longboat”. Jay has gathered over 60 crooks from oak trees in Oregon, because crooks are the strongest for the curves of the boat. He has also procured the Yellow Cedar planking from British Columbia, some of the purest and beautiful cedar I have ever seen. Jay speaks Norwegian and has been to the Scandinavian Viking museums studying with the old masters many times to perfect his trade.

VIDEO

Students will make sails and rigging at NW School of Boat Building

The sails are being built through a program at the North West School of Wooden Boat Building. In this program, students are taught the old time skills while working on our sail, tarp and rigging.

It is a great program and we are happy to support it. We look forward to working with the NW School of Wooden Boat Building on this project which is in alignment with the educational purpose of the ship. It is great to give this opportunity to students to learn a lost art and W.I.L.D. Expeditions benefits from the extra cost savings.
Proposed Time Line
Phase 1 COMPLETED! 360 hours
  • Design/ line drawing established
  • Choice of plank stock determined
  • Materials located –Planking, stems, keel, framing members milled
  • Transport materials to site – sort, stack and seal for drying
  • Building site prepared

Phase 2 COMPLETED! 260 hours

  • Bow stem and stern post layout
  • Shaping/ forming “stepped” stems
  • Keel milled, scarfed, and laid
  • Backbone (keel, stem, stern posts) set up and assembled

Phase 3 March 2010 - May 2010 640 hours 

  • Planking begins
  • Garboards, broad strake fitted and fastened (12 -14 planks)
  • 2nd through 4th strakes fitted and fastened (18 - 24 planks)
  • Floor timbers fitted and fastened with treenails and wedges (12 natural crooks)
  • 5th and 6th strakes fitted and fastened (16 planks)

Phase 4 June 2010 - Aug 2010 780 hours

  • 7th through 9th strakes (24 planks)
  • Remaining floor timbers (3 or 4 natural crooks)
  • Lower frames (24-26 sawn crooks with treenails)
  • 10th and 11th strakes (12 planks)
  • Cross beams and Knees Lodging knees fitted and fastened

Phase 5 Aug 2010 - Sept 2010   540 hours

  • 12th strake and sheer strake (16 planks)
  • Upper frames (32 members)
  • Rails, breasthooks, fore and back stays
  • Mast step and partner knees

Phase 6 Oct 2010 - Nov 2010 500 hours

  • Oar ports and shutters
  • Rudder, boss, tiller, and binding
  • Floorboards
  • Impregnation during construction
  • Mast and yard

Phase 7 Nov 2010 - Dec 2010   160 hours

  • Hull completed – spars ready
  • Rigging and sail underway
  • Engine beds, shaft log being fitted
  • Engine installed
  • 20 oars sawn and shaped