No School Like the Old School

John Bruton reports the launch of his 32' Marshall Islands style proa in Cape Fear, North Carolina. The big canoe was built with no plans other than referencing photographs and books. The hull is built in two stages: a sharpie-like plywood section from waterline to sheer, and then the hull below waterline built like a surfboard, all hand-shaped urethane foam glassed with polyester resin. The hull is self bailing. Great job, John!

Comments

• Great job - hope to see construction article & more fotos somewhere soon. I’m especially interested in the construction of your outrigger, though I’d love to see fotos of the “surfboard” aspect of the hull, too.
  Thanx - chip

  Posted by  on  09/07  at  03:44 AM

• Great boat!
  I´d love to see more pictures of it. Specially of that beautyfull outrigger construction.

  Best,
  Peter

  Posted by  on  09/17  at  10:26 AM

• Lovely work!
  What shocked me the most was that I was taken aback by the “no plans” approach.  Brings up lots of interesting questions about “design” and “designing” for me.

  Posted by  on  09/22  at  08:02 PM

• I would love to see the boat in person. It is beautiful. The “no plans” concept really does make one wonder about the wonder designers. I am in the process of moving to Myrtle Beach, so if you ever need any extra crew ...

  Posted by  on  10/20  at  08:02 AM

• I am from the marshall islands.  I like how you took your time to build this marvelous canoe.  I am very proud of your canoe building. I am a canoe design craze myself well I love to read about ship/canoe design.  So take care of yourself.

  Posted by  on  02/27  at  01:53 PM

• Beautiful!! Must be a real ‘head-turner’ around there!

  Posted by Frank Russell  on  02/28  at  06:22 AM

• Beautiful.  Elegant.  Amazing. Of your following the lines of the generations of masters before, a humbling sight indeed.  It really gets under my skin; I absolutely LOVE it!  To ride on your own wooden sea animal as she flexes thru the seas… MORE POWER TO YOU MAN!

  Posted by  on  03/02  at  02:34 PM

• I’m really impressed John, REALLY!! I would love to sea some dimensions and Photos.. I’m building a 24’ outrigger as we speak.. I like that Iako work.. I’m in N.C. as well.. We’re 6 hours apart..
  Great work

  Posted by  on  04/04  at  02:37 PM

• John:
  I have the chance to travel to NC and SC to visit my sales rep there. I would love to go out on a sail if you are available. I live in Miami and have a 21 ft proa and a big monohull.  I am in the process of designing a 40 ft proa (with the help of my friends) and like to see your akas for inspiration. I can be reached at 786-229-6358 - thanks

  Posted by  on  06/13  at  04:35 PM

• This canoe is the real deal, i built one 20 years ago and you have not lived until you have ridden an outrigger at speed, i must build me a new one!

  Regards Keith webster

  Posted by  on  05/19  at  03:01 PM