Sotka in English

Measurements:

Lenght: 12,5 m (41 ft)

Beam: 3,1 m (10 ft)

Draft: 0,5 m (1.6 ft)

Boards

In setting the boards 646 hand-forged iron rivets, copied from archeological finds, were used. Some of the joints use wooden pegs. The boards are fashioned from slow grown spruce. To prevent the rivets from rusting, they have been dipped in tar while red-hot.

Ribs

Naturally bow-grown pines and root-sections. Attached to boards with juniper pegs for flexibility.

Keel

A 7 m (app. 21 ft) long T – shaped pine keel.

Rigging

-Mast: Spruce 7,5m (24.6 ft)

-Sail: 30 m2 ( 323 sq f). Originally raw-sail of hemp, currently synthetic imitation canvas (for weight reasons). Has three sets of reefing lines.

-Lines: Hemp

Ballast

500-700 kg (1100-1500 lb) of round natural stones, mainly granite.

Displacement

Approximately 3,5 tons (7700 lb)

Wood protection

Pure, partly self-produced natural tar.

Steering oar

The steering oar is attached with a line trough the board on the starboard side. The term ”starboard” originates from the old Norse word ”Styrbord” (styra + bord), the board on which you steer.

Propulsion:

5 pairs of oars powered by a varying quality of manpower (occasionally also raw womanpower). In tight spots paddles are used.

Crew

7 – 15 persons.