QB and the Texas 200
Skip Johnson sends in a report of the launch of his new proa QB, and running of the 2024 Texas 200. See the previous QB article here.
It’s been almost a month since QB (Questing Beast) and I ventured out on this year’s Texas 200; now that I’ve caught up with some of the other things in life it’s time to say something about the adventure from a proa perspective, I’d already written something for the Texas 200 website.
First off we…
A Mystery Proa
The first post of 2024 brings us a mystery! Google maps satellite image of coordinates 46.953458,-122.647452 in Yelm WA, US, reveals an object of curious size and configuration. At 110’ in length, it appears to be a gigantic proa!
Low-res images notwithstanding, we see a copy (more or less), of a traditional Pacific proa such as the Fijian ndrua or Samoan alia. However the streamlined “pod” shape of the akas (cross beams) certainly…
QB - a 21’ cruising schooner proa
Skip Johnson is building another proa! An avid contributor to the old Proafile forum(RIP), Skip has built some truly radical proas in his day. Toning down the rad half a notch for his latest, QB is a well-proportioned pocket cruiser, using a novel construction method of Gpet sheet foam core and fiberglass. Much thanks for the building report, Skip! -Editor
QB Design and Construction Report
By Skip Johnson
QB aka “Questing Beast” from…
The Dawson Proa Construction Method Part 2
Part 2 of Topher Dawson’s report on constructing his proa SGIAN GHLAS.
See Part 1. -Editor
Main Hull Construction Sequence - Part 2
See photos above.
- Side/seat joints filled, glassed, rounded, glassed.
- Centre section bulkheads extended upwards to support a foredeck which is needed to support each mast.
- Seat back panels modeled with a skeleton structure of plastic conduit pipe.
- Panels made of 25mm foam and glassed.
- Panels laid on seats…
The Dawson Proa Construction Method Part 1
Topher Dawson sends a report on his method of construction for SGIAN GHLAS, the proa featured in the previous article. It is as delightfully creative and sensible as the design itself. This is Part 1 of 2. -Editor
24’ Proa Construction Details
By Topher Dawson
Urethane foam core (Tricast 5) or other cores, with glass and polyester resin, makes for a strong, stiff and light panel. Nomex, carbon and epoxy would be stronger, stiffer and…
Sgian Ghlas - the Cold Water Proa
SGIAN GHLAS (Grey Knife in Gaelic) is a new 24’ foam cored fiberglass proa submitted by Topher Dawson of Ullapool Scotland.
At first glance I thought it was the second silliest proa design I’d ever seen! Like someone had accidentally beached their dory on the back of a small submarine or a Narwhal? However, Topher Dawson is perfectly serious about his new proa, and as I studied the odd craft and read his reasoning for it, I found…
The Proa Sidecar
It was a great pleasure last week to open an email from Robert Zabukovec, who proceeded to share his experience sailing an astounding proa of his own design: SIDECAR. Why astounding you may ask? Proafile gets a lot of “unusual” sailboat ideas sent along over the years and I like to think I’ve seen it all, but this is the first time I’ve seen a shunting biplane proa rig. The unusual rig works well and the canoe is beautifully…
Daikon - the Raid Proa
Blair Cowan reports on progress building and sailing his 21’ lug rigged schooner proa. The construction took one year, from May 2021 to May 2022. He has sailed the boat all season and plans to sail the Texas 200 in 2023 and next year’s Everglades Challenge. Blair writes:
DAIKON - The raidboat proa. A shunting outrigger canoe built for inland lake sailing and coastal adventure camping. The 21’ self-bailing Ojibwe-Chippewa inspired…
Madness Rides Again
The new owner of MADNESS has submitted some recent pics and videos of the 31’ proa doing his thing on Chesapeake Bay. MADNESS is a plywood and epoxy Pacific Proa design of John C. Harris. The plans are available here at CLC Boats. He says:
Proa MADNESS has been back in the water for 1 year and logged approx. 300 NM.
Max speed so far has been 17 kts with average speed being 8 to 10.
The video has some great footage of the lee pod…
Waan Aelon in Majel
Jo and Rob of the sailing yacht Double Trouble post an interesting video about WAM (not the 80’s band) but Waan Aelon in Majel, a canoe and boat building school in Majuro, Marshall Islands. The idea is to provide a way for islanders to get off the petrol habit. Gas powered launches supply the islands now, and it is ruinously expensive, thus the interest in alternatives. Henrik Richter-Alten and Rob Denney are conducting a 3 month…
