This week on the island we went fishing, figured out how many logs we are going to need for the sauna cabin and chose what trees we will be cutting down.
The first day we ended up rowing around the nearby areas of the lake for a couple hours fishing and exploring, luckily we had amazing weather and ended up taking a sauna after.
The island has approximately 800-1000 trees on it with a average height of 24m and diameter of 28cm, this info is from a drone survey. Based on that information, we should have plenty of trees to not only build a log sauna cabin, but also a larger cabin in the future while still having trees left on the island. This trip was less doing more thinking, I calculated how many logs we are going to need and I was surprised how few trees it may be. Before I had just been assuming we were going to have enough trees and it feels much better now knowing this is something that is going to be possible resource wise. When walking around marking the trees it really feels like taking these 25-30 trees is hardly going to be noticeable.
I feel as though the hardest thing is going to be moving the logs, thank you for all the comments last video I’m think using an atv winch and maybe some log skates may end up being the best option.
Nothing is set in stone yet so if you like our plans for the sauna cabin or have any ideas/changes let us know! It has to be under 25m2 in order to be 10m from the lake, at least 1/3rd of the building has to be a sauna and a covered deck can be up to 15m2.
More about us, the island and the process:
The island is completely secluded, has no electricity or plumbing and currently has nothing on it but trees. We want to turn this island into a fully functioning summer cottage with a log cabin, sauna and other amenities. Most of the work is gonna be done in the summer months as the lake freezes in the winter and the weather conditions are tough.
There’s a lot of work to be done as the island is over 2.5 acres (1 hectare) and we have no experience in off-grid living, carpentry or building. So any tips or advice are greatly appreciated, as we are planning on doing everything ourselves and transforming the island into our own little paradise. We’ll document every step of the way, starting from smaller builds to finally – an off-grid log cabin.
Our plan for this year is to put up a platform for a glamping tent, build a floating dock and start cutting down trees to begin the process of building our log cabin.
The island is located in Finland and we bought it in 2024. We are currently both students and we plan to transform the island alongside our studies.
So, subscribe and join us on this adventure. It won’t be fast, it won’t be easy, but it will be fun and challenging. We don’t know what to expect, so be a part of the journey.
📸 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @off.grid.island
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my suggestion is for later or even when you cutting down the trees use winch to drag the logs arround… also if you can afford two manual winches get them,… get wire rope strong enough to lift the logs attach wire rope to the certain hight on standing trees and you will have everything that you need to lift them up
I realize it's early but remember to stack your logs butt end opposite as you go up. Larger diameter then narrower to keep it semi level as you go. Looking forward already to next spring
If I were you I would protect my chest while debarking the tree.
🥰
Maybe get a gas powered wood chipper for the island. You can turn all the branches and smaller trees in to mulch. easy we to get rid of all the unusable stuff. You can then use the mulch for trails or garden for example.
Electric winches are not good for continuous operations.
maybe a dolly for the other end of the log to roll around with the orang epincers. i saw a foundation item that looks like a giant concrete block with big metal rods athat you put in the ground with a hammer. faster and better than a tradtional foundation that you might not have the option to do.
I love me some McLaren. Keep the videos coming, love seeing your progress.
There are much easier, faster, cheeper and safer ways to do this "Work Smarter, Not Harder" !
Safety glasses when debarking!
after debarking and drying and factoring in the coning of the trees I'd say you need about 150 for the smaller cabin
shout the fuc up !!! and start working all ready
Less talk, more work 🙄
Traction pulley ("vetotalja" in Finnish) would help you move the logs if you want to do it somewhat traditional way but you could consider using 4 wheeler also. 🙂 Good work so far. Dont be to optimistic with the amount of trees you need though. 😊
bad idea to mix fir and deciduous logs, one is an evergreen, one is a hardwood. i just told you last week, you need 40 trees to build a 12X18 cabin and you have to watch out how you cut them. i dont like wasting my breath when i help you kids
I don't know the conditions in your place and how rough the terrain is but 😉
How about 2 wheels a size of a wheelbarrel (solid tires) and something in between so you can rest one end of a log onto this dolly and drag it around the other end with this claw thing. I hope you can picture what I'm talking about. Dragging the logs over terrain is exhausting and a sled construction might be too resistant with you surcface. Weight is not much of an issue if you leverage it. But that's just my lazy idea of hauling logs without having any experience of it.
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Find an auto shop in your town and have them weld a tree sled for you. I work at one and would happily do it for a few $, I'm sure your local guys will do it.
Dude, it looks like you’re considering using a birth log for your cabin wall. Don’t do it Birch rots fast as hell. Its bark lasts forever, but the wood is shit. Use spruce or Douglas fir. White pine is even lousy if it gets wet at all.