Around the World in 584 Days

Solar-powered catamaran goes around the world in 584 days

I know I’ll probably get a lot of flack for saying this, but I think solar cell powered ocean transportation is almost as likely as a perpetual motion machine. MS Turanor PlanetSolar, after all their high tech geekiness, managed a circumnavigation that does indeed demonstrate what solar power is capable of achieving: going around the world at about the same rate as Kon Tiki.

David Keiper’s Williwaw

Using archival footage, the Int’l Hydrofoil Society has made a short video of David Keiper’s hydrofoil trimaran Williwaw. David built the first flying hydrofoil cruising sailboat in 1970 and subsequently cruised her all over the Pacific. The boat and the voyages are detailed in Keiper’s Hydrofoil Voyager, which is being republished on Amazon this summer. Video after the jump.

Renaissance of Lady Godiva

The first sail of Lady Godiva in a quarter century. The Richard Newick designed proa was built in Martha’s Vinyard by Rory Nugent, for the 1980 OSTAR. Now owned by Anne and Paul Buttin. See the video after the jump.

Thanks to Frederic M. and Golden Oldies Multihulls for the submission.

Our Blue Canoe

The first teaser trailer for the documentary film, “Our Blue Canoe” currently in production and due for 2013 release. The film is part of a larger initiative called the “Vaka Motu” project, by Pacific Voyagers. The vision is to connect all Pacific Islands in a sustainable, carbon-neutral fashion via Vaka Motu, thus gaining independence, better infrastructure, and more economic opportunities for remote island communities.

String Theory

Proving his iconoclast chops once again, Jan Gougeon launched his newest baby into the Saginaw River last summer - to cries of both shock and awe. I reported on the launch of Strings - or Project X - as she was formerly known, earlier, but we finally get a much better look at the fascinating vessel in the new Epoxyworks No. 33.

Change Is Coming

The Proafile is evolving. As long time visitors can see, things look a bit different around these parts, but the real changes run deeper than a fresh style sheet. The big news is that Proafile will no longer be the occasionally updated blog of designer Michael Schacht and his fascination with bilaterally asymmetrical sailboats - the Proafile is going collective. And by collective I mean Forum.

We (I’m already a ‘we’) see a lot happening in the world of proas, and going hand in hand with the increased interest is a desire for a new meeting place, one with all the bells and whistles. So consider this the unveiling of what ‘we’ hope will become the center of a new and vibrant proa universe. The new Forums will be up and running this coming Monday, and consider this your personal invitation to check it out and say ‘boo’!