Hi everyone.
I’d love to sail a proa, but unlike monohulls, you can’t just go on craigslist and find one to buy. So I started designing, and discovered that it’s fun! But based on prior experience, I know that when the dreary, damp Vancouver winter ends, I’ll just want to sail - even my slow, old monohull.
So, I want a very quick build, using cheap materials, as little toxic stuff as possible (ie epoxy).
I have some ideas:
Vaka 7.2m, built in 3 sections with a snug cabin to sleep 2 in the middle section. 2 Laser masts/sails placed 4m apart (I can borrow these initially from my club). Small enough to build the pieces in my tiny back yard.
A light plywood cockpit with seating for 4 on the akas. Not sure about ama shape yet.
I’m thinking camp cruiser for 2 or casual day sailing for 4 (under the bimini, er, rain blocker).
Light enough to be hand launched at my dinghy club. Bear in mind that I currently hand launch a Siren - 800lbs displacement. Yes, I haul in with a winch.
Also, I want to set up rigging to permit tacking as well as shunting. Should just be a matter of untying the downhauls and vangs, rotating the masts in their tubes 90 degrees, and attaching downhauls and vangs to new cleats. Then use only one of the two sheets per sail.
The plan:
Step 1 - finish the design
Step 2 - build a model
Step 3 - persuade my wife it’s a good idea
Step 4 - hopefully, build it!
BTW, I learned to sail in an old canoe with a rig of my own design. Over time, it evolved into a tacking outrigger. At times, very fast, but very wet, and as my wife commented, anti-social. Hence the continued requirement for a ‘comfy’ boat to share.
Fair winds,
Curtis
cpcanoesailor

Hi Curtis, welcome to the forums. It seems like you have the perfect plan - we look forward to seeing it develop.