Does anyone know if there are recent examples of a Drua or N’Drua proa?  It was thought by the authors of Canoes of Oceania to be the most highly developed sailing canoes in existence prior to European influence. Boats of over 100 ft in length were constructed and reached speeds over 15 knots.  Most of what I read on the forums is about Pacific Proas or Atlantic Proas, with significantly higher weights to windward or to leeward.  By the way what is the at rest weight distribution of a Pacific Proa?

I am starting construction of my attempt at a modern DRUA.  It is somewhere between a catamaran and a pacific proa.  It should have better; volume, performance, and price than a catamaran.  The benchmark is a 42 ft catamaran.  Probably 5 tons empty 8 tons fully loaded.  Hull lengths are 43 and 55 ft.

The empty boat should have a weight distribution closer to 40% to Windward.  But this could be brought up to 50% or even lowered to 30% depending on where we locate tanks, batteries and other gear.  The logical answer is to put the weight to windward and carry more sail. With out going into the whole Atlantic / Pacific debate, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Keep on Cruising
Ron

Hans Klaar’s last 2 ontong java’s might be a good starting point? But not ” modern” like you are looking for.
Epicure 47’ proa in the profile archives might be closer.

By the way what is the at rest weight distribution of a Pacific Proa?

There’s probably something funny about nailing the term “pacific proa” to a single type of boat since there are so many types of “boats” from the Pacific. That said, at least one of Joseph Oster’s avocations seems to be studying proas. His opinion, which seems reasonable to me:

“While there is nothing sacred about percentages, the range of 10% to 33%
total displacement in the weather hull covers the genre pretty well. “

I hear human sacrifices are required at launching.

Thanks for the info on Otong and Epicure.  And I know there will be some blood sweat and tears but I hope it doesn’t come down to that.

Does any one have approximations for how much weight is on the WW hull at rest for some of the designs considered on the forum, or even some of the boats sailing like Pacific Bee or others?  I originally thought I needed as much weight to windward as possible but now I wonder if that is so important.  I might get better average speeds especially in lighter air with less weight to windward.

Does anyone have any experience they can share on certifying of proas for charter?

Ron