POINTER: A smaller and more refined lumberman’s bateau, designed in the late 19th century in Canada to aid in rounding up logs on tributary lakes and rivers of the Ottawa River watershed.
Still used for lumbering mining and construction, including work on the St Lawrence Seaway.
Sharply pointed and raked bow and stern; wide, flat bottom; flared sides; strong sheer forward; planked with white pine, frames cut from white cedar roots.
Distinctive brick-red colour.
Steered with a 2.7m long paddle. Rowed by 4 -10 men; also paddled.
One designed to take an outboard motor has a square stern, the half-pointer.
Reported lengths 6.1 – 16.8m, shallow draft; an 8-man pointer could float on 13cm of water.
Canada 1990 39c sg1378, scott1267
From: Aak to Zumbra, a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.