Outrigger Fishing Boat for New Guinea

19 September 2019     Editor    1 Comments.

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Paul Cheevers has written in to share his new project: a 7m (23’) sailing outrigger design to be produced in fiberglass and used on the islands of Papua New Guinea by the locals as an alternative to the ubiquitous outboard-powered banana boats. The design is called VAN-2, from the free plans offered at the CFP (Coastal Fisheries Programme) website. Paul writes:

“After seeing hundreds of Yamaha 40hp banana boats (pangas) over the years, and watching the fuel prices rise higher and higher I thought it was about time to offer an alternative. This 7.0m outrigger is not a replacement for the dinghies as they are so different in speed, capacity, etc. - but an option. For the fisherman going out at night the outrigger wins hands down in comfort and economy, and for the family going from the island to the mainland market again the outrigger is also the better option.

“I have already built a handful of plywood canoes over the years, and as much as I love timber (being a cabinet maker), the weather and owners are just too hard on them and eventually they fall into disrepair. Epoxy is also four times the cost of polyester, and marine ply is far too expensive now, if you can even source it at all. By doing a polyester resin/hand layup boat my guys can easily laminate a couple of layers a day. The bulkheads all have templates, as will the floors, so it is all easy and economical.

“Our first boat to hit the water will be a catamaran version as I am still working on a couple of molds for the outrigger fastenings, but all the main hulls will be built the same. I just love the look of this boat and especially like the way the floors are inline with the chines, it just makes the assembly so easy and foolproof.”

Paul works as a factory manager for Malama Enterprises Ltd in Kimbe, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

See more of the project at: @pngpaul on Instagram

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