Arrived in the Marshall Islands a week ago to build the mini cargo proa. In the 5 days since arriving at an empty work space, right on the water's edge, with a bunch of mostly non english speaking locals with little or no knowledge of boats, sailing or power tools., we have got 1.5 beams finished, the ww hull is ready for the deck and we have 2 panels for a 20'/6m stitch and glue cat ready to join. Way ahead of schedule.
The guys are awesome. Tell/show them something once and they understand exactly what is required. Hard workers, usually smiling and laughing.
The WAM people who are organising it and the GiZ guys paying for it are also good value. We are apparently the "realisation of their dream" to get some zero emissions boats built. It's a good feeling when a stranger comes up to you in the lunch queue at the "Wellness Centre" (low cost healthy restaurant run by the Canvasback medical volunteers), asks if you are the guys "building the canoes", and says thanks.
Materials are all imported, wood for stringers etc is a problem. We spend more time scarphing to get a decent length than anything else. A lot of filletting coming up to replace it. The ply is good and the kiwi epoxy ok, but far too fast, so epoxy sessions tend to end up rushed and messy.
I am sharing an apartment with 3 German engineers, one of whom is designing a sail assist monohull to reduce the emissions of the inter island fleet. I think it should be a sailing cargo proa; we have had some interesting discussions.
Went for a sail on a 5.5m/18' canoe.. Deep assymetric hull, crab claw sail, oar steering. Fun, but with 3 of us on board, and a leaky hull, it was not conclusive. Big race day in a couple of weeks, we will put a speed puck on one of the hot boats and see how it goes.
WAM has a new boat ramp which makes water access easy (swim before and after work, and after lunch), the lagoon is a great place to sail, but all the beach sand has been used for concrete, so not much fun getting in and out over the coral. Added a keel to the mini cargo proa.
There are almost as many photographers, videographers and bloggers in the shed as there are boat builders, so there will be plenty of visuals in the near future. Nothing from me as I am too busy trying to stay one step ahead of the team, and internet access is slow and sporadic.
rob
__._,_.___
Posted by: Rob Denney <harryproa@gmail.com>
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a new topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
.