The Search for a Keel

The search for a keel has turned out to be much like one of the Great Waldo Searches. One moment you think you've found him and then you realize you have found some impostor posing as Waldo just to trick you!

Our search began in August for a piece of White Oak or Long Leaf Yellow Pine measuring 12"x15"x35'. We had reliable sources lined up and essentially thought it was a matter of time before our log arrived and it was milled to our specifications. As the months passed, our project progressed, and time grew short; we had a feeling our log was never going to arrive and a new search was needed.

Now some of us may think we have a tree in our backyard that is huge, a hidden beast on our property waiting to be plucked by some lucky shipwright or home builder. I assure you this is not the case. To produce a singular piece of timber that size we are talking about a massive tree, think Redwood Forest big (well maybe not that big). The tree in question would need to be at least 60 feet to the first branch, yes the first branch, and clear as a night sky in the dead of winter somewhere in Canada. To add to the fun and 'wow' factor the tree's diameter at the first branch (60 feet above the ground) would need to measure 18". Maybe you are thinking to yourself this is no problem, my friend who knows this guy who was roommates with someone in college has a relative with a tree you can come on over and chop it down any time! But what if we were to tell you this tree needs to be strait, like a Christmas tree only about 100 times larger?

So our search has led us near and far, we have spoken with many people in the industry who led us to sources like: I know this guy who is taking down an old barn, in this barn, in the basement, there are these timbers you can use - I hear they're great! Or, someone has miraculously come across multiple pieces of timber this size, but in order to get one we need to buy five. You get the idea, this is stuff stories are made of, published ones.  

       The search continues.....

A Large White Oak