pacific proa in wharrams footsteps.............

[rael dobkins]

  I first saw a wharram in the med........

then I heard it was a wharram polynesian catamaran. then I wanted one, for many years I just wanted to build a wharram. looking at thousands of build photos, big wharrams, small wharrams..... classic ones pahi ones........ it's the respect they have earned that shows in every detail. made for the sea, go from A to B.... no matter what. to me that's a boat!

  but the piggy bank never really filled up.... so I gave up. finally I bought nice spruce, nice first grade poplar ply and set off to do what james wharram  wrote, there's a future for the pacific proa, building pacific proa. again the piggy bank sent me down that path, saving a few bob and time I managed to get my self winding down a bumpy path that took me directly into the proas biggest difficulties. shunting, rudders, CE, CLR, balance..... what a mess.

  so all what I gained in time on building, I lost in time on thinking......

but she's developing nicely in her cocoon.... pacific proa Crystal Clear. crab claw schooner rig, 23 foot vaka. based on wharrams ideas micronesian ideas, other ideas... my ideas....

thank god he gave us the internet.

  by the way I do understand we don't really belong here, but we wonna be here.....

o.k.????

  finally, added my latest clip at the bottom. hope you like it.

     all the best. rael dobkins. 

http://youtu.be/esqkPV4t0as

[laurent]

thanks for sharing , yes it wharram style , good work .

[rael dobkins]

thanks man, it does have the wharram attitude, the keep it simple approach....

and that's what relates them. that's what gives them their character, and exactly that is what makes them seaworthy.......

  all d best laurent. 

laurent said:

thanks for sharing , yes it wharram style , good work .

[Mick]

Hello Rael,

Nice proa, I also build one. You can check it out on my pictures on this site. Where in the balkan are you located? when do you plan on launching?

kind Regards,

Mick

[rael dobkins]

  hi Mick beautiful amatasi proa, bravo. also I noticed we have the same style workshop, a plastic tent with a cardboard floor...... I enjoyed your photos very much kind of like looking into the mirror....... we are in bulgaria, launching next spring in the black sea. take care man.

Mick said:

Hello Rael,

Nice proa, I also build one. You can check it out on my pictures on this site. Where in the balkan are you located? when do you plan on launching?

kind Regards,

Mick

[kim whitmyre]

I don't have to say "enjoy yourself," because it's clear, eh, Rael?

[rael dobkins]

Hit D Nail On D Head kim. the spice of life, a smile a day keep d doctor away..... that joy of creation, you know it man.......................

godspeed.

kim whitmyre said:

I don't have to say "enjoy yourself," because it's clear, eh, Rael?

[Scott Veirs]

Can't wait to see the crab claw schooner rig life-sized!

Keep up the good work,

Scott in Seattle

[rael dobkins]

  Hi Scott, can't wait ether!

anyway, a small update as she's finally a multi....

designing those akas has been a long process of testing and messing with wood, ropes, rubber pipes and many many sheets of paper........ I decided to not glue them up nor fiberglass them, this way, they are free to flex a bit more making them more reliable to withstand high loads...

  so, finally looking good enough to be true.....

all d best, from balkan shipyards.

http://youtu.be/vf9EFistFnM