History of South-Savo and Lake Saimaa
ON THE PIER
Living on the shores of Lake Saimaa

 

A SAVO -TYPE BOAT

The Savo–type boat was perfectly suited for the natural conditions and way of life in eastern Finland, and was a convenient vehicle for transporting people and goods alike. The boat was graceful and smooth to row, and peasants from as early as the 16th century used it for hunting trips and for capturing the wilds for burn-beating. The boat has carried babies to their christenings, deceased to their funerals; it has been used for trips to the village and fishing excursions – or just for a leisurely paddle. If caught in the rain, the boat could be turned upside down for sheltering passengers and goods in the rain. A Savo-boat has traditionally ended its days in a midsummer bonfire.

Distinctive to the Savo–boat is that the lower part of the stem rises gently whilst the upper part bends sharply inwards. This was particularly advantageous in drawing the boat ashore and over Saimaa’s countless necks of land. Adaptation to life in the wilds is also manifested in the small number of boards used for the sides, the finless circular keel and the supporting board transversing the bow.

The framework was assembled from three parts. A stem and sternpost were carved from the chosen wood and naturally crooked spruces. Pine was used for the sides. The framing was dense, while the individual frames were rather thin. The tips of sturdy spruce branches were commonly used for the frames, but juniper made the best ones.

The boat was equipped with one or two pairs of ores as well as a paddle. Sails could be hoisted up on long and arduous voyages. A slot for a mast was usually embedded on the supporting pole that was fixed to the widest part of larger boats. Alternatively, a sail could be placed in the bow, where the stull contained a notch for the purpose. A bunch of birch or alder branches shoved into a hole did the job as temporary sails.

 

29.7.2005