Lanchas Chilotas

[Frank Holden]

Lanchas Chilotas, or boats from the island of Chiloe,southern Chile, were still in 'commercial sail' into the 1970's.
Now only a few old ones survive but they are having something of a revival.

'Flat bottomed' they were designed to dry out on the gently sloping shingle beaches of both Isla Chiloe and the offlying islands.

A couple of photos of the type.
On the hard at Club Nautico Reloncavi, Puerto Montt

A restored example on Canal Tenglo, Puerto Montt

And a bit of an outlier... a 'dude lancha' in the north of Chile - at Mejillones. I had the good fortune to go for a sail on this one.

Wooden boat building is alive and well in Chile.

 

[Wansworth]

Lanchas Chilotas, or boats from the island of Chiloe,southern Chile, were still in 'commercial sail' into the 1970's.
Now only a few old ones survive but they are having something of a revival.

'Flat bottomed' they were designed to dry out on the gently sloping shingle beaches of both Isla Chiloe and the offlying islands.

A couple of photos of the type.
On the hard at Club Nautico Reloncavi, Puerto Montt
View attachment 159266
A restored example on Canal Tenglo, Puerto Montt
View attachment 159267
And a bit of an outlier... a 'dude lancha' in the north of Chile - at Mejillones. I had the good fortune to go for a sail on this one.View attachment 159268

Wooden boat building is alive and well in Chile.

Thanks

 

[Frank Holden]

Digging through my files.... another one. Traditionally there would be a cargo hatch where the coachroof is. The modern ones typically have an outboard fitted in a well.


Timber is still the material of choice for anything under about 50 foot. This is one of the many Isla Tenglo ferries. Propulsion is normally a little Briggs and Stratton engine with fixed straight through shaft - no astern.. they turn off and glide alongside and then back out under oars.

 

[tillergirl]

Nice thread

 

[Frank Holden]

This is one of the largest I have seen being built. This was at Isla Mechuque, photos taken over a period of time and three visits in 2005/06 . Not sure what she was completed as.




Note the chain saw in the foreground.

More soon if people are interested.

 

[Wansworth]

This is one of the largest I have seen being built. This was at Isla Mechuque, photos taken over a period of time and three visits in 2005/06 . Not sure what she was completed as.
View attachment 159325

View attachment 159324
View attachment 159326View attachment 159327
Note the chain saw in the foreground.

More soon if people are interested.

Yes please!

 

[DownWest]

Yes Please, from me too!
Reminds me of Portugal in the 70s and Greece in the early 2000s; Chainsaw scarfs with good joint surfaces....

 

[Frank Holden]

Work progresses

Steaming the planksThe steamer at rest

 

[Frank Holden]

This view shows she is going to be a cargo carrier - maybe fresh fish.

 

[Frank Holden]

The next time we called at Mechuque she was gone.
The type is seen everywhere in a variety of roles.
The Dalcahue - Mechuque ferry f'rinstance.
Her name is a worry - 'Last Hope II '.
This example is acting as mothership for a number of small boats that are fishing for merluza aka hake. The small boat crews live ashore under canvas in a very wet climate.


And last but not least, a Mechuque back garden

 

[Wansworth]

What wood doo they use…is it local ?

 

[Wansworth]

Hopefully Last Hope 1 is still in service

 

[Frank Holden]

What wood doo they use…is it local ?

Not sure what it is but it is local, at least local as in Isla Chiloe.
Alerce was the timber of choice for many years Fitzroya - Wikipedia but logging is now banned.

 

[Wansworth]

Larch is a good boatbuilding wood not suprised it’s been banned to preserve it

 

[Frank Holden]

Time to wrap this up
Another view of a Lancha Chilota


and something a bit more upmarket