Building Whitehalls

Rob Buchanan's boat building and river history course is taught at the Eugene Lang College of the New School in New York City. Students build a traditional-style 25-foot Whitehall rowing gig and roll it through city streets for a spring launching at Pier 40 on the Hudson. Then, up the river; a rowing trip to Waterford, NY. • A North River Production of the Greenpoint Video Project © 2009 • gvproj.org

[@trinitytoo]

Great documentary. Thanks for both making and posting!

[@romandybala]

Ha ha ha. Love the young 21st century kid's flowery ideas and language about a design from 1820.The guy who walked past the window and thought he wanted to be part of that, And if I may comment. The handles on the oars need to be taken down to about an inch , inch and a quarter. Make it way easier to pull.Imagine riding a bike or motorcycle with 2 inch diameter handlebars.I am amazed that there are no other comments here. Beautiful idea and beautiful boats.

[@romandybala]

7:58 What the heck? You got a Sydney Harbour Bridge in NY????

[@fzj8022]

I row and race these boats, the handle diameter is perfect. And if anything they should be stronger, we break the handles in races from pulling on them so hard.

[@paulbriggs3072]

Originally these were bent frames which looks WAY nicer inside. The forefoot of this boat is well done, though. The transom is a trifle too big but still acceptable and seems to not drag.