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rael dobkins
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rael dobkins's Discussions

Oceanic lateens, to Junk Rigs.... Balkan Shipyards

Why we switched to Junks after Crab Claws...It's been a long and hard journey, Oceanic Lateens are great but they have their downside, especially in confined waters with lee shores. Bottom line…Continue

Started Apr 18

'Caught Aback' is a huge problem on a Shunter! Junk Rigs solve that amazingly well...

Proas are ships that can receive the wind, from one and only side. They can't tack, that's why they must Shunt.Getting caught aback, or getting 'backwinded' is a huge problem! Traditional vessels…Continue

Started Feb 22

The full Video of a Balkan Shunting Proa, and the Zen of Spartan Philosophy...

Hi all, a video that goes deep into the philosophy behind the shunter...Not a walk in the park, yet these craft get the job done! Minimal and spartan, yet very tough.The way of the Shunter, Balkan…Continue

Started Feb 14

Fast PROA surfing and running, NO weather helm!

Happy New Year Guys!!!They say "Proas run Bad!".  Well, we disagree, The Video below shows fast running at about 7 knots, probably more when surfing. Yet very balanced and straight sailing... Keep…Continue

Started Jan 1

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rael dobkins posted a discussion

Oceanic lateens, to Junk Rigs.... Balkan Shipyards

Why we switched to Junks after Crab Claws...It's been a long and hard journey, Oceanic Lateens are great but they have their downside, especially in confined waters with lee shores. Bottom line what's good for the Pacific isn't always good everywhere...https://youtu.be/4xDAdiOoeHo?si=9nGq_yhGyOQE5RoI See More
Apr 18
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rael dobkins posted a discussion

'Caught Aback' is a huge problem on a Shunter! Junk Rigs solve that amazingly well...

Proas are ships that can receive the wind, from one and only side. They can't tack, that's why they must Shunt.Getting caught aback, or getting 'backwinded' is a huge problem! Traditional vessels with Oceanic Lateen rigs, get in huge trouble once aback...The Junk Rig, is a boss in this situation. I was shocked to learn how the most frightening moment shunters have, this rig solves in a blink. The Video below tells our story, of a Junk Rigged Balkan Shunter.Keep Shunting,Balkan Shipyards…See More
Feb 22
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rael dobkins posted a discussion

The full Video of a Balkan Shunting Proa, and the Zen of Spartan Philosophy...

Hi all, a video that goes deep into the philosophy behind the shunter...Not a walk in the park, yet these craft get the job done! Minimal and spartan, yet very tough.The way of the Shunter, Balkan Style, Proa 'Make O'Break' the Full Video below.Keep Shunting,Balkan Shipyardshttps://youtu.be/A41Sq5DVNmw?si=Wpb9rHsORXJpFyNWSee More
Feb 14
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rael dobkins replied to rael dobkins's discussion Flying downwind on a Balkan Proa
"Hi Roger, Yea, it's a messed up planet, where greed rules and honesty will soon become against the law.... It is what it is man. Yes there is a strong reason, glad you noticed. Fast boats are usually sailing to windward...  Meaning, you…"
Jan 20
Roger Barnes replied to rael dobkins's discussion Flying downwind on a Balkan Proa
"Hi Rael, hoping Australia is distant from any money wars, though I guess that more of our young men will have their minds and bodies destroyed by buying into the propaganda waffle. A question on your rag please I have read a fair bit about Chinese…"
Jan 20
rael dobkins posted a discussion

Fast PROA surfing and running, NO weather helm!

Happy New Year Guys!!!They say "Proas run Bad!".  Well, we disagree, The Video below shows fast running at about 7 knots, probably more when surfing. Yet very balanced and straight sailing... Keep Shunting,Balkan Shipyardshttps://youtu.be/djCTi25_AgA?si=FKH_NahfkmeNmV9J See More
Jan 1
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rael dobkins replied to rael dobkins's discussion Flying downwind on a Balkan Proa
"I agree, it's going down... Big war in the oven, Europe is getting ready, the Middle East is on Fire, the U.S. will have to deal with it all including China... I will have to learn how to catch a fish and ride out a storm... I will give it all…"
Dec 31, 2024
Ian R replied to rael dobkins's discussion Flying downwind on a Balkan Proa
"Happy New Year Rael, bon courage. Who knows here what the Russkies are doing over there...my Polish mother saw Putin coming, seen them before. She said, of the KGB person Putin, whose antecedents smacked some of her teeth out in Kazakhstan :…"
Dec 31, 2024
rael dobkins posted a discussion

Flying downwind on a Balkan Proa

Fast Downwind Sailing over 6 KN, Surfing probably at 10....Balkan Proa "Crystal Clear" flying away...From Balkan ShipyardsKeep Shunting,BSYhttps://youtu.be/F25DHERbaGo?si=PZO0u5zXt3yfPMI-See More
Dec 5, 2024
4 Comments
rael dobkins posted a discussion

A cruiser is born....

 Winter in the Balkans, working before the white coat shuts us all down...So, footage time, a great summer went by, too short, or, the needed break for comprehending lessons learned, for a safer greener and healthier future, for mother earth....Proof in Video BelowKeep Shunting,Balkan Shipyardshttps://youtu.be/vyGR6kuNSFs?si=r4KupoFx_muSt_DuSee More
Nov 5, 2024
0 Comments
rael dobkins posted a discussion

Crab Claws can hang off anything, even just 3 ropes.......

Junks on the other hand kick ass, if they have camber....Keep Shunting, and junking, probably tacking toooooooBalkan Shipyardshttps://youtu.be/FSQ_LQMo-Fs?si=vaBD352ZOSgxZaYtSee More
Oct 18, 2024
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rael dobkins posted discussions
Aug 10, 2024
rael dobkins posted a discussion

A short Video of an ugly and Strong boat... Balkan Shipyards

As a beautiful day gets ugly, our junk rig shines in it's true colours...Sailing hard to windward, moving fast, 2nd reef on a strong boat working hard...Keep Shunting Balkan Shipyards https://youtu.be/c1H8IV9O4vA?si=owua9l1PwSBCBawnSee More
Jul 4, 2024
0 Comments
rael dobkins posted a discussion

Junk rigged proa, self steering away....

Finally reaping the fruits of joy!A great day that I have longed for....Great boat, great day, great wife!Keep Shunting Balkan Shipyards https://youtu.be/LqTxx0DWTAE?si=EMUIkPReol6cbeF3See More
Jun 25, 2024
0 Comments
Ian R replied to rael dobkins's discussion Finally Sailing!!! Balkan Shipyards
"Well done Rael, it's quite an achievement to have everything more or less balanced from the off. I have seen the video with the rudder, just a small snag. You must be very happy for your ideas to come to fruition successfully. Best wishes and…"
Jun 20, 2024
rael dobkins replied to rael dobkins's discussion Finally Sailing!!! Balkan Shipyards
"Thanks Ian, they truly do, I have noticed that too.... I'm very pleased with the boat, pretty balanced and rig works well, engine too. Later that day winds built and we were going fast, I bent a rudder, so been buffing them up, going back to…"
Jun 18, 2024

Profile Information

I am:
Other Multihull
What boat (s) are you building or do you own?
pacific proa, ocean cruiser
Country, City, and State?
bulgaria tryavna
About me or us?
sailed monohulls, always wanted a multi, could never afford one.... so building my dream proa.
Looking to?
revive the pacific proa!
Website:
http://balkanshipyards.com

Rael dobkins's Blog

A pacific proa, with a wharram soul....

 

     Hi, first time here.

So, just wondering what is blogging????

Anyway Crystal Clear is the boat, she's cool and is Bulgarian, as all her spruce and ply are 100% from here.

On Youtube she got a bunch o'films..... Been recording for over 2 years.

  Live in Bulgaria with my wife Jenia, She's the best sailor I know (for me)...

Your success is as Great as your dreams..... That's what i learned here, with the Wharram gang.

  Anyway…

Continue

Posted on January 6, 2016 at 3:23pm

Balkan Shipyards in the UK looking to help you build...

  Hi all, anyway we are spending the winter in the UK

left Bulgaria and our almost finished pacific proa Crystal Clear.....

if you need a hand with your build anywhere in the UK we will be happy to come and give you a push.

below is my last clip, check her out she's a sweet boat.... got a car full of tools too....

  We both got what it takes, and we love Wharrams!!!

hope to hear from someone in need, as we are too.....

  all the best from Balkan…

Continue

Posted on November 12, 2015 at 3:00pm

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