Proa building blog
Henrik hast developed a data logger to collect performance data for polar plots for the GIZ implemented Marshall Islands project on low carbon sea transport. The loggers collects samples of GPS speed, heading and wind speed and direction simultaneously. The data is collected and will be processed soon!
Fouling (marine growth on the bottom of boats and ships) is a big problem for shipping worldwide. Excessive growth of barnacles, algae etc. increases the friction between hull and water and therefore leading to high fuel consumption and unnecessary GHG emissions.
The conventional solution are toxic bottom paints which slowly leach microplastic and biocides into the water. This is a big problem for the marine environment taking into account the thousands of big and small ships out there.
The Dutch company Finsulate has invented a biocide free (non-toxic) antifouling solution. Manfred Bauer, the local distributor of our area has invited us to an application training.
Innovations like this have the potential to make a real impact. We will trial the Finsulate material and report regularly about the results in the future. In a first step three identical test bodies will be deployed at our mooring: One equipped with Finsulate Seagrade, one with conventional Ultra 600 bottom paint and the third one without any specific antifouling measure.
Check out www.antifoulingfolie-sh.de and www.finsulate.com for further information!
After testing Proasis in stronger wind conditions around 20-25kt we made the experience that our mast bent a bit to much. Therefore we decided to increase its stiffness. Fortunately we found a really good offering for UD-and carbon sleeve which can be laminated quite easily.
On this day, two years ago, the first post was published on www.proas.is. Thanks to all our supporters we’ve come a long way in these two years!
From the very first sketches and calculations over various model tests and real size mockups we’ve made it through endless hours of laminating fiberglass, gluing, sanding and painting. Now we have a beautiful sailing proa and can start to work on the real mission: climate action now!
Proafile has published a nice article about Proasis. Read it here:
https://proafile.com/multihull-boats/article/the-proasis-project
After 2 years of designing and building proasis, finally the day has come and she touched the water of the Baltic Sea for the very first time!
This was a very special moment for everyone involved. We would like to thank all the supporters who helped to assamble her and put her into the water and the sailing department of the STS Surendorf. The launche was a great community effort and a prime example what a group with a common interest can achive.
Last weekend we set up our test rigg for the first time. Made out of old windsurf-masts, a piece of Bangkirai wood and our polytarp sail we built two years ago. We are looking forward to test it soon! The real sail will have a better shape, some other improvements and less wrinkles ;-), but for the first sea-trials it will be sufficient.
Some impressions:
As promised 2 weeks ago some more detailed shots of the rudder mounts:
Two of four windows are glued in. We’ve cut them with a jigsaw from polycarbonat (makrolon) and glued them in with a special glue for the wind shields of cars. Worked really well and no screws required.
The remaining two windows will go on as soon as the weather switches back to summer mode.
Had time to put the spars (at least parts of them) and the sail on the proa for the first time. Even performed some test shunts. Works all very smooth, time for the finish now!
