The Seacoast’s new gundalow is close to setting sail.

The Gundalow Company will launch its latest vessel into the Piscataqua River from Peirce Island in Portsmouth following a public ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10.

A crew of volunteer boat builders led by York resident Paul E. Rollins Sr. have spent the last nine months constructing the gundalow at the Puddle Dock Shipyard on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum. Additional work will take place throughout the winter, preparing the boat for public sails next spring.

Ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m., with the launch following at 11 a.m. Steve Root of Portsmouth Harbor Towing will then tow the new gundalow to Prescott Park, where it will be rafted by the Sheafe Warehouse next to the Captain Edward H. Adams, a gundalow replica launched nearly 30 years ago.