Proavocative Art

There are no more audacious multihull sailors, designers and builders on the planet than the French. The modern, post-war multihull boom may have begun in the U.S., but in 1936, it was Frenchmen Eric de Bisschop and Joseph Tatiboet who first pitched a tent on a secluded, shady spot of Waikiki Beach, to build Kaimiloa. The “mad Frenchmen” sailed safely back to France, via the Cape of Good Hope, and the French have been mad about multihulls ever since.

The French multi-mania includes proas (a particularly virulent strain) and designer Denis Kergomard appears to be particularly stricken. These are some of the best proa designs I have ever seen, and I’ve seen more than a few. Wild and organic, beautiful and dangerous, Kergormard’s vessels invite us into a field of dreams. Nautical art, indeed. See more after the jump, and do be sure to check out his body of work at Alibi Architecture.

Comments

• how do I get a picture and news of my newly launched 10 metre proa onto your site? thanks, jm

  Posted by  on  07/20  at  05:01 PM

• Jim, you can use the Contact form. I’ll try emailing you direct.

  Posted by  on  07/20  at  05:52 PM

• I am rigging a 10 metre proa, which I prefer to call a sailing canoe,with a 36sqm crabclaw sail.
  Although the otrigger is only 9.3 metres and approximately half the volume of the main hull the boat is otherwise symmetrical on 3 planes. It sails fore-and-aft, a cross-section shows a 14 sided ‘oval’.
  The accomodation capsule is 2.8m by 1.2m, the deck is 3m by 2.8m, and there is space for 2 people to sleep in the outrigger, if necessary. Otherwise it just carries light yet bulky things like surfboards, mattresses and sails. I can’t see any way to upload photos from here so I will click on the contact form link.

  Posted by jim moris  on  08/14  at  10:51 PM