Keeping the Proa in Epic
Ryan Finn has successfully completed his epic voyage from NYC to San Francisco, around Cape Horn, single-handed, in a 36’ plywood/epoxy proa. 93 days after departing New York, he sails into Frisco, under the Golden Gate, flying the ama by Alcatraz, and finally docking at the Richmond Yacht Club.
We proa fans can’t help but feel a bit proud. Well done Ryan.
Jzerro was designed and built by Russell Brown, right here in Port Townsend.
2 Oceans 1 Rock, Around Again
UPDATE 3/17/22: Ryan Finn has rounded Cape Horn yesterday, 3/16/22 in the early AM hours, according to his FB post and the tracker. Congratulations Ryan! A great accomplishment for the sailor and also for his proa, JZERRO, originally designed and built by Russell Brown. Cheers!
1/20/22: Ryan Finn has started his second try at breaking the New York to San Francisco sailing record (solo no less) in the JZERRO. The proa departed NYC on…
The First Proa Only Race
Nicolas Duchein is organizing the first proa only ocean race ever, called the CHEERS Challenge. Set to start 01/03/2023 (I assume that means March 1) the race course circumnavigates the Caribbean islands of St. Croix and Martinique.
Note: This is not actually the first proa only race because many proa races have been held in the Pacific in recent years for instance, the Majuro Day canoe races in the Marshall Islands. Maybe the first…
Single-Handed Record Attempt by Proa
The RECORD for the non-stop sailing from New York to San Francisco via Cape Horn is being attempted this November by Ryan Finn, on a proa! He chose this specific challenge because he wanted to incorporate American sponsors on a classic American clipper ship route. Ryan will be sailing JZERRO, a 36’ Pacific proa designed and built by Russell Brown, which has already sailed to New Zealand and back from the U.S. and is a proven blue water…
Majuro Day Canoe Race 2019
Full cut of the 2019 Majuro Day canoe race in Majuro Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands. Race was held February 23, 2019 at Dalap Beach Park in Majuro. Canoe Neen Annan from Uliga bested a fleet of 16 racing craft. These boats are full-on proas, not tacking outriggers. They shunt rather than tack, and you can witness the awkward operation starting 0:58 at the first mark rounding. Besides that, there isn’t much in sailing that can…
A proa with no name
UNNAMED PROA is a near 60’ racing design with a crab claw schooner rig! It’s the work of Jeremy Fischer of Martinique, who built the EQUILIBRE some 10 years back. I know little about the design except that it was originally intended to enter the Route du Rhum. The very narrow hull features an extreme wave-piercing bow, no doubt a nod to the submarine like experience of sailing the boat fast in a seaway 😉. A few of the construction pics…
VOR Proa Foiler
Harryproa has been busy of late. Here’s a nicely modeled proposal for the new VOR Inshore Foiler races. It is, naturally, a proa in configuration, but that is where the similarity to a Pacific sailing canoe ends. The fully foiling triscaph may be vapor-ware at the moment, but considering the obvious thought that went into the proposal from shipping logistics to VIP guest seating we hope this one makes it to prototype stage. Read Rob…
Multihulls in the R2AK 2017
The third annual Race to Alaska starting gun goes off at 5:00 am on June 8. 750 miles, no motor, no support from Port Townsend WA to Ketchikan AK. As per the previous races, there will be plenty of multihulls vying for the $10,000 first to finish prize, and perhaps a new course record, though last year’s time of 3d 20h 13m set by Team MAD Dog Racing is a tall order.
New this year is the Buy Back offer: Each team that finishes and…
Bedard on the Everglades Challenge 2017
Tarpon Springs FL based smallcraft designer/builder JF Bedard has posted an informative recap of his experience racing the 2017 Everglades Challenge in his self-designed and built micro-cruiser: RoG. Great for any fan of long-distance challenges like the EC and the R2AK. Besides, I am especially taken with Bedard’s diminutive racer, its distinct lack of multiple hulls notwithstanding. Bedard Yacht Design.
R2AK 2016 and Parallel Evolution
The starting horn for the second annual Race to Alaska sounded at 6:00 am, Thursday morning, the 23rd of June. 58 boats crossed the starting line and headed for Victoria, BC, the first leg of an epic 750 mile race to Ketchikan - no motors, and no support. For a few days beforehand, The small town of Port Townsend, WA was transformed into race headquarters, full of teams, boats, officials, sponsors, volunteers and media. We PT villagers…
