THE FUR TRADE
THE KEEL BOAT

This week we visit the wilds of Canada and the Mountain Men. We should see this appearing late in 2021.

We hope you enjoy!

Mike & Myszka and all at the Sierra Toy Soldier Company

A keelboat is a riverine cargo-capable working boat, with shallow structural keels, nearly flat-bottomed, which is sometimes also called a "poleboat". These boats are designed for the navigation of rivers, shallow lakes and sometimes canals that were commonly used in America, including use in great numbers by settlers making their way west. They were also used extensively for transporting cargo to market, and for exploration and trading expeditions, because water transport was then the most effective means to move bulky or heavy cargo.

Keelboats were similar to riverboats, but like other barges were unpowered and were typically propelled and steered with oars or "setting poles".

The process of moving a keelboat upriver was extremely difficult, depending on the current. Most keelboats were 50 to 80 feet long and 15 feet wide, with a cabin in the middle or at the rear, but were also sometimes constructed with an open deck.

Keelboats have been used for exploration, such as during the Lewis and Clarke Expedition, but were primarily used to transport cargo or settlers in the early 19th Century.

The jjD Keelboat, which is inspired by the boat in the 2015 movie "The Revenent" (Can't believe it's really been over 5 years!), allows for a similar scene where a group of trappers and mountain men are attacked by a war party!

It can also be used as a center piece for a trading post display.

A warparty of Blackfoot warriors will hopefully be previewed in May.

The Keelboat should be available later this year.