Stewiacke schooner, hand-built by cousins, sails from Parrsboro

A schooner hand-built by a pair of Nova Scotia cousins has cast off on its first trip across the Bay of Fundy.

The boat left the Parrsboroharbour at about 11 a.m. Saturday.

The Katie Belle was docked in Parrsboro since November, undergoing final adjustments following afive-year construction project.

Evan Densmore and his cousin, Nick, built the 24-metre ship in Stewiacke using the company name Cameron Shipyards.

He said the voyage would allow the crew to test a new rudder and the ship's systems.

The plan is to spend the night on the water before arriving in Saint John on Sunday.

Eventually, the cousins hope to offer voyages for tourists.