November 2019 - Proas.is

Windward hull construction started!

LW hull bottom rounded and glassed

Last step of the leeward hull construction: the bottom chines got rounded and the entire outside glassed.

OK leeward hull, you are finished now. Get out of the workshop and make space for the windward hull!

Leeward hull turtled

After the deck is finished its time to turn the hull around and get the outside prepared and glassed.

The hull is turned upside down for the first time. Short after, the sun came out for the first time of the week to send her regards.

Leeward hull deck is finished!

Cutting the pre scarfed deck panels to shape

Gluing preparation: ~600 screws predrilled

Glued on and screwd in place temporarily.

Leeward hull deck under construction

After the hull shell is finished it need o get closed.

Deck stringers are glued into place. One of the two hatches for the cargo compartments is visible on the left. The hull will get 3 m³ of cargo volume in the first step. If more is needed it could be extended easily later by adding some bow hatches. Right now, the main hull will get 3 collision departments with a length of 2,5 m on each side.

Leeward Hull is coming together

The side panels of the main hull are glued on now. Eventually, it looks like a boat!

Gluing everything in place with epoxy fillets (white)

The innovative double asymmetric shape is clearly visible now. The lower section is flat leeward and rounded to windward for improofed helm balance. The middle section comes symmetric and the top section is asymmetric with the bigger volume to leeward (opposite to the lower section). This shape was favored after intensive model testing because of its capsize characteristics: even if the proa heels 90° the righting moment stays positive and keep the boat upside up.

Winter is coming

Its almost winter time in Germany 🙁 In the northern part that means rain, fog, darkness and temperatures around 5°C. No ideal conditions for boat building.

Proasis workshop with leeward hull under construction.

Fortunately, our workshop is equipped with an oven and plenty of firewood. With a good fire it’s quite cozy in there and work is a pleasure!

Proasis on the Viking way of life

We became friends to the famous German circumnavigator and adventurer Burghard Pieske short after he returned from his “Ana Varu” voyage early 2019.

Ana Varu is a pacific proa. Burghard sailed her from Taiwan to the Marianne’s where he successfully supported the local boat building and sailing communities. Unfortunately “Ana Varu” capsized and was lost to the big blue. But we doubt that the Ana Varu voyage is over yet! Further information can be found here and here.

Aside of his interest for the pacific sailing traditions, Burghard is an expert for European sailing history too! Especially the viking age era in northern Germany and Scandinavia. As part of the Euro Viking project he uses his knowledge for a training program for socially disadvantaged youths and put them back on the road of life. Burghards work is outstanding and deserves honor!

Christian, Henrik and Burghard in front of the molds of a modern viking ship for the Euro Viking program.

Leeward hull under progress

After 2 weeks, the bulkheads are prepared and in place. Now we work on getting the plywood sheets around them to create a hull.

Bulkheads glued to the bottom sheet and sheer stringers faired in.

Beams under construction

The cross beams are key components of every multihull. Proasis’s beams are made from plywood and timber in a hollow construction. The outside is reinforced with glassfiber. Each beam is 4.5 m long and weights about 25 kg.