Below The Boat – Chart Your Course In Wood

Lake Huron Chart

And now for something completely different… Fellow Woody Boater CASUDI (of “Perlita Too” fame) recently brought this cool website to our attention – It has a bit of everything we enjoy here at Woody Boater… A variety of wood, popular lakes and waterways from around the country, great artistic flare, and a classic look that will blend it perfectly at the summer cabin or lake house… or in the office above your computer.

The Below The Boat website was recently created in December by Robbie and Kara Johnson, a husband and wife duo from Bellingham, Washington. Here’s an excerpt from their website which describes their unique 3D wood charts.
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Below The Boat
Laser Cut, Hand Crafted, Heirloom Quality Masterpieces

What’s a wood chart?

It’s a door into another world (one which, quite literally, lies below the boat).

Starting with a bathymetric chart (the underwater equivalent of a topographic map), the contours are laser-cut into sheets of Baltic birch and glued together to create a powerful visual depth. Select layers are hand-colored blue so it’s easy to discern land from water, major byways are etched into the land, the whole thing’s framed in a custom, solid-wood frame and protected seamlessly with a sheet of durable, ultra-transparent Plexiglas. (You can click on the image below to enlarge it)

The result is stunning. It lifts the surface of the water back like a veil, exposing the often-overlooked, under-explored, awe-inspiring world that lies below. To those familiar with the floor of the ocean or the bed of a lake, it’s a beautiful reminder of the deep channels, sharp drop-offs, and mountainous landscapes that are hidden from normal view. To the uninitiated, it’s wonderfully eye-opening; as though the world suddenly has taken on a fourth dimension.

Straights of Mackinac

With pieces based on the scenic Pacific Northwest’s volcanic coastline, the warm sandy shores of the Southwest and Southeast, the history-rich coastline of the Atlantic, and lakes from all around the continent, we’re betting that you’ll find one that hits home with you. If you don’t, please let us know. We’re working diligently to add more charts and we’d love to know what else you’d like to see.

Map of the Great Lakes

San Juan Island Chart

Long Island Sound Chart

For more information on these beautiful wood charts from Below The Boat and to view the large selection of charts from around the country, you can Click Here to go directly to their website. Each specific 3D chart can be viewed in detail and has a description of the charts area and points of interest. Below The Boat also has a Facebook page – here’s the link. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hpskip#!/BelowTheBoat?fref=ts

Thanks to CASUDI for sharing this with us… You can go the the great Perlita Too – Riva Tritone blog site which is located on the right side of the Woody Boater home page or by Clicking Here.

Texx
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