Monday, 1 June 2009

Toroa rides again

Todays sail was by way of a shake down to sort out those things that I added to make myself feel as though I know more than the old ones did.
Hah! every single extra control line tangled and fouled so I untied them and made a note to throw them out at the next opportunity.
The KISS principle prevails!

Paul Bowker was down at the Rawene ramp with a small but keen group of budding sailors in optimists and he was also on standby for the first trip out. Because Paul has gained so much experience on Te wheke his proa instincts make him my ideal choice of crew for a first time out. Our local librarian Mark was on the patrol boat, a reassuring presence on the water thanks Mark.

The weather was cold but with a favourable afternoon outlook, 10 - 15 knots of southeasterly breeze and cloudy.

Right off I got my shunting line crossed up so before we could shunt we had to re tie the line.
Toroa is much more docile than previously so the need for control lines seems unnecessary.
Toroa sits quietly with wind abeam waiting for me to sort myself out. It's been awhile OK?

From now on with this tacking mast I'm going to walk the tack of the sail from end to end myself and simply belay it at each end with a short line.

Toroa responds well and easily to butt steering.

Once I've de-cluttered I'll put my steering boards back in place.

All photos by Julie Holton.

























































































Butt steering















& more butt steering











































































Butt and paddle steering











































Looks to me like we can carry much more sail area.
Stand by for an order Gary


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1 comment:

  1. Wade Tarzia17 June 2009 at 15:02

    Looks fine, Harmen! Makes me nostalgic for the butt-steering days (I recall fondly the day I pushed off from the ramp, leaving behind a truly indignant monohull sailor who shouted, "Where's your rudder?!" and I answered, "Why would I want one? Just extra drag." I was feeling mischievous. -- Wade

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Toroa by Harmen Hielkema & Mike Toy.

Header Photo: Toroa at Rawene by Julie Holton.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of my father Roelof Hielkema who instilled in me the willingness to learn.
These pages are intended to inform and add to the growing body of knowledge concerning the Canoe Culture of the Pacific, past, present & future, from the Tupuna, the Ancestors of the Pacific cultures to the people of the world.

These pages contain Images and text relating to our two proas, Toroa & Takapu, some history relating to our experiments & experiences.

The dissertation that I posted on this blog in April 2008 "Takapu The Proa" was written by me in 1997 in response to an assignment that I was set whilst studying for my design degree. The dissertation covers many issues that a proa enthusiast may benefit from reading about.

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