04 February 2024     10 comments

A Mystery Proa

The first post of 2024 brings us a mystery! Google maps satellite image of coordinates 46.953458,-122.647452 in Yelm WA, US, reveals an object of curious size and configuration. At 110’ in length, it appears to be a gigantic proa!

Low-res images notwithstanding, we see a copy (more or less), of a traditional Pacific proa such as the Fijian ndrua or Samoan alia. However the streamlined “pod” shape of the akas (cross beams) certainly…

 Reports  Proas

22 December 2023     0 comments

Proasis Shunts

Good proa shunting video, care of the Proasis Project. Cool rudders!

Much thanks to Henrik Richter-Alten for the submission.

 

 Proas

Proasis

09 December 2023     1 comments

Speed Sailing at Weymouth 1972

Plenty of interesting boats in this short video from the wayback machine. Weymouth Harbour hosted this speed sailing regatta in 1972 that features some very early foilers and proas. CROSSBOW (designed by Rod Macalpine-Downie) lead the field with a new World Record speed of 26.3 knots.

At 0:45 we get a few seconds of an unnamed cruising proa. It appears to be an Atlantic type, sloop rigged. Does anyone have any more info on the mystery…

 History  Proas

Mystery proa at Weymouth Speedweek 1972

17 October 2023     13 comments

QB - a 21’ cruising schooner proa

Skip Johnson is building another proa! An avid contributor to the old Proafile forum(RIP), Skip has built some truly radical proas in his day. Toning down the rad half a notch for his latest, QB is a well-proportioned pocket cruiser, using a novel construction method of Gpet sheet foam core and fiberglass. Much thanks for the building report, Skip! -Editor

QB Design and Construction Report

By Skip Johnson

QB aka “Questing Beast” from…

 Reports  New Designs  Boatbuilding  Proas

A 1:12 size model in corrugated cardboard, illustration board, the old gold standard isn't readily available here in the hills of Oklahoma.

14 October 2023     1 comments

The Dawson Proa Construction Method Part 2

Part 2 of Topher Dawson’s report on constructing his proa SGIAN GHLAS.
See Part 1. -Editor

Main Hull Construction Sequence - Part 2

See photos above.

  • Side/seat joints filled, glassed, rounded, glassed.
  • Centre section bulkheads extended upwards to support a foredeck which is needed to support each mast.
  • Seat back panels modeled with a skeleton structure of plastic conduit pipe.
  • Panels made of 25mm foam and glassed.
  • Panels laid on seats…

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Centre section bulkheads extended upwards to support a foredeck which is needed to support each mast.

06 October 2023     2 comments

The Dawson Proa Construction Method Part 1

Topher Dawson sends a report on his method of construction for SGIAN GHLAS, the proa featured in the previous article. It is as delightfully creative and sensible as the design itself. This is Part 1 of 2. -Editor

24’ Proa Construction Details

By Topher Dawson

Urethane foam core (Tricast 5) or other cores, with glass and polyester resin, makes for a strong, stiff and light panel. Nomex, carbon and epoxy would be stronger, stiffer and…

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Lay out three panels of 25mm foam 8ft by 2ft and hot glue them together with butt joints.

21 September 2023     9 comments

Sgian Ghlas - the Cold Water Proa

SGIAN GHLAS (Grey Knife in Gaelic) is a new 24’ foam cored fiberglass proa submitted by Topher Dawson of Ullapool Scotland.

At first glance I thought it was the second silliest proa design I’d ever seen! Like someone had accidentally beached their dory on the back of a small submarine or a Narwhal? However, Topher Dawson is perfectly serious about his new proa, and as I studied the odd craft and read his reasoning for it, I found…

 Reports  New Designs  Proas

17 March 2023     1 comments

Russell Brown designed proa for sale

Areté (ex CIMBA, Pacific Bee), a 38’ Russell Brown designed Pacific Proa is for sale. The ply/epoxy boat is said to be in excellent condition and ready for its next adventure. Currently lying in Chilean Patagonia, at Chiloé Island.

Length: 38’/11.6m
Beam: 18’/5.5m
Displacement: 5512 lb./2500 kg
Launched: 1984
Overall condition: Excellent and ready to go.
Notable voyages: Chilean Patagonia, Chiloe Island, Fjords several times.

 Dock Ranger  Proas

Arete

05 February 2023     9 comments

Proa Rig Options: the Biplane

I’ve asked Robert Zabukovec to contribute to the Proa Rig Options section on Proafile with an article on the biplane rig he invented for SIDECAR. I’ve long been fascinated by biplane rigs, however my interest has always been limited to catamarans, not proas. Who knew? Robert’s thinking on the subject exploits the lateral asymmetry of the proa to advantage, creating a rig that is not only fast and easy to shunt, but also remarkably…

 Proas  Rigs  Research

Sidecar sailplan

04 February 2023     2 comments

Miss Cindy For Sale

Miss Cindy, the famous micro-cat cruiser is for sale on Salt Spring Island, B.C. for $3500 US, with her 2 hp Yamaha 2-cycle outboard and a custom trailer.

Designed and built by Tony Bigras in 2008, the 16’ pocket yacht carried Tony on an epic 6000 mile cruise down the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Read the captain’s log here: Travels with Miss Cindy.

Miss Cindy features a very cool rig: a biplane lug.…

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Miss Cindy