The Boats

The crew has access to 2 reproduction batteaux that were built by members of the crew.

Batteau are defined as:

Batteau" is a French term for "boat". It came to signify, 200 years ago, any flat-bottomed, shallow-draft vessel that was pointed at both ends. This vessel was the mainstay of inland shipping, particularly for the military, until the end of the 18th century.

Batteaux (the plural) came in different sizes, known generally as 3-handed,4-handed or 5-handed according to the crew needed to propel them. There were undoubtedly many variations in design, but all were characterized by a flat bottom made up of pine boards laid lengthwise, with battens nailed across to hold the bottom together. Oak frames, usually made from natural crooks, fastened the bottom to the pine planks that formed the sides of the vessel.

These craft were propelled by poles and oars, with a small sail used when the wind permitted

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Phillip Lord - N.Y.S.M.

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The "Black Sheep"

The Sheep, is a representation of a batteau used on New England and New York waterways during the 18th-19th centuries.  She is 23ft long, with a 5ft beam. Her construction is marine grade birch plywood over an oak frame.  The oak was taken from an old barn and is, at least, 30 years old.  Complete with sail rig and a solid cedar mast (trucked up from a farm in North Carolina).  The "loggerhead" in the bow (what the swivel gun is mounted on), is an old windlass from a barn. 
Her crew capacity is 8, with a minimum crew of 3.

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"Blind Luck"

Blind Luck is a representation of a smaller batteau, used for personal use and light cargo.  BL is 16ft long with 42 inches of beam.  She is marine grade birch over a cypress frame.  She is ideal for 1-2 crew.