Below the Boat is a website that features all kinds of maps, ranging from the East to West Coast United States, and everywhere in between. But, these wooden creations aren’t your average, flat drawings. The products are layered, wooden representations that reveal the hidden landscapes of an underwater world. Starting with a bathymetric chart–which is a map of underwater terrain–patterns are laser cut out of Baltic birch and glued together in distinct layers. The tactile maps visually portray the ebbs and peaks of the ocean floor in a stunning display of natural wood.
Robbie and Kara Johnson–the married duo behind the website–are located in Bellingham, Washington, and have lived within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean their entire lives. They say, “We see the majesty of a big pool of water and unabashedly geek out over the under-appreciated world hidden just below it’s surface.” You can purchase a variety of locations, ranging from the Pacific Northwest’s volcanic coastline to Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Each piece comes pre-framed in a custom, solid-wood frame that is ready to hang on your wall, and will serve as a constant and fascinating reminder of the world “below the boat.”
