Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe

"Malolo"

I just got some more sailing pictures from a friend, which shows "Malolo" with full sails.

Using an over sized paddle for steering and some times for paddling but that is then really power work.

The trampoline offers a nice relaxing platform for two to three persons.

2 Different boats with the same sail. A sunfish with the typical lateen sail and the Hawaiian canoe with the standing lateen sail.

 

 
3 happy guys, 3 generations, 3 friends and a dog.

I looks like the stern is under water but it´s just the waves.


Some times the ama is flying but no problem when the canoe is equipped with a safety ama.

Perfect day for sailing at this outstanding Lake. Laguna Bacalar with it's year round warm and clear water.

18' Ulua

"KaiKaina" the little sister of  "Malolo" 

Since the 28' Hawaiian canoe "Malolo" is not easy to sail and paddle single handed, I figured I need a smaller canoe for solo paddle / sail expeditions around Laguna Bacalar. I started to build a 18' Ulua. It is always a problem down here in southern Mexico to get epoxy resin and therefore I made the hull out of
fiber glass with polyester resin.

Doing it for the first time was not as easy as I hoped for and the hull came out quite heavy but at least it holds up some abuse.



To build the hull I followed more or less Sam Rizzetta's book "Canoe and Kayak Building the Light and Easy Way". I set up the forms from "Malolo" put some wood strips on and covered everything with kitchen foil. Unfortunately the space between the strips are to big so the hull looks more multi chinned then round and to sand it smooth made to much fiber dust, so I stopped right away.

I still had Ama and Iako's from the Wa'apa project,
nice way to recycle left over parts.
As well the sail, boom and the rudder are from other
outrigger canoes I build and are quite handy now.

After the first sail I put
an extra small seat on
the non ama side to
prevent the ama from
diving when going
down wind.
I capsized the canoe just
to see how it floats and here comes the problem with the heavy hull and that fiber glass boats will sink without proper float chambers, the gunnel is just 2 inches above the water. I think only the bow, stern and one seat air chamber prevented it from sinking.

I have to check out if a safety ama will do the trick or I have to install an self draining floor. The latter option definitely ads a lot more weight and work to it.

 

Wooden Kayaks

Wood Stripe Boats

Enjoying the beauty of wood in all its forms made me start to build wooden canoes and kayaks for our tours here at Laguna Bacalar.
Since 9 months now I paddle one of Nick Schade's design, the Petrel.

Wood stripes are pine and the outside is stained
mahogany to get this dark red uniform color. The
recessed cockpit allows me to lean fare back for
rolling.
It is only 20 inches wide so paddling with the
traditional Greenland paddle is an easy task but many guests are surprised that this stick works at all.

After the first paddle days I got used to this quite narrow kayak  and the more I use it the more I grow in to the "Petrel" and it becomes more and more an extension of my lower body. 

 But since you can't stand on one leg, I started with a other sea kayak from the same designer, just a bit wider ( 24 inch ) and with more volume for more gear on longer expeditions.
The Great Auk is a fast and stable sea kayak for beginners or if you need more space for multi day camping trips.
The hull and deck are finished and I'm waiting for the epoxy, that I can start to cover it in fiber glass.

  

Kayaking Laguna Bacalar

Short Tour through Bacalar's Mangroves

Finally the sun is coming through the morning clouds and Laguna Bacalar shows it's outstanding colors. The new wooden kayak glides silently around mangroves and little islands.

We spot two stingrays and a turtle in the crystal clear water but this morning there are not many birds to see.

Channels just as wide as the kayaks gives us access in to this beautiful and peaceful area. 

                

                                                

After a break with fruit, cereal bars and a swim we head back to Villas Ecotucan and the tail wind let us surf some small waves and makes this an easy paddle for the return. 

 

First Sail Regatta Laguna Bacalar

May 2013 1. Sail Boat Regatta 

May 11th at 9 am all sailors and team members show up at the Balneario Municipal to get instructions and to finalize inscription.
Many participants and visitors attend this first public event at the beautiful Laguna Bacalar.                                                                      

Mainly Hobie's 14 are joining this regatta but also Hobie 16, 12, one Trimaran, one Laser, one Sunfish and of course "Malolo" the only outrigger.

Light winds in the morning but at 10 am the wind picked up and we had some difficulties to get "Malolo" to the start, paddling hard we finally managed and the event began.

   

On a course of about 8 km boats were sailing around islands, shallow areas in the crystal clear waters of Laguna Bacalar. Although it wasn´t a race, everyone tried to get the best out of his/her boat. 

A couple of boats capsized, a couple of broken spars...all boats return safely, the participants receive an acknowledgement and the big buffet is opened.

    

Everyone had a great day, participants and visitors. We hope that this wasn´t the first and last of this kind of events.