Book Release: The Proa
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Othmar Karschulin and Dr. Manfred Meier have released a book devoted to our favorite subject! The Proa, the outrigger boat from past to present. Over 200 pages of proa, all proa and nothing but proa. The book is well researched and lavishly illustrated with photos and diagrams. Contents include:
A review of traditional Pacific canoes is followed by a report on the modern revival of canoe building in Oceania. This is followed by a thorough presentation of the various proa options available to modern inventors, such as rig types, hull shapes, leeway prevention, stability, seaworthiness and rudders.
The Modern Proas section includes 16 entries, including new interviews with such proa luminaries as Russell Brown, John C. Harris, Rob Denney and many more. There is the welcome inclusion of proa efforts from around the world, including France, Germany, Australia and Oceania, and the Caribbean.
This is followed by a chapter on proas in the racing scene of the 1970’s and ’80’s, including the famous CHEERS by Richard C. Newick. And finally, some modern speed record proas such as Vestas Sailrocket 2.
While by no means exhaustive, The Proa covers a good deal of the territory of an admittedly large and growing field of interest. Available at Amazon.
