Category: Building Blog

The 1:25 scale model turned out to be very promising. As intended, it gave us a better feeling for the shape and led to some changes (extension of the beams to leeward i. eg.).

Next step: a 1:5 full functional model!

Originally planned to be radio controlled, we realized that the shunting process would be very difficult to build and stepped back from that idea. The 1:5 model (1,8m long btw) is now manually controlled and secured by a kite line.

The model will be used to experiment with two different types of rigs and various rudder/leeboard configurations: aside of a traditional oceanic lateen sail (also known as crab claw sail) a newly developed softwing gaff sail with unstayed mast will be tested. The platform is prepared to sail a double rudder configuration (oversized rudders are used for steering and leeway prevention) and leeboard/rudder configuration (leeboard to prevent leeway, small rudder for steering).

Stay tuned, we will post some sailing videos soon!

CAD software is a great tool to model complex 3-dimensional structures like boats. But as fast as a new model is created on the screen, so easy it is to loose the proper feeling for its shape and dimensions.

Real scale models help to get an impression how all the crazy things on the screen would look like in reality. We made a 1:25 3D-printed scale model of Proasis. Fortunately, 1:25 is more or less the scale factor of Playmobile, so we can use Playmobile manikins as size comparison.

Two different types of rigs will be tested: A softwing gaff sail with unstayed mast and a traditional oceanic lateen (also known as crab claw).

The design of our unique proa “Proasis” was born in a very special place: the Enewetok Atoll!

Never heard about that place? Well, honestly Bikini, Enewetoks neighbor atoll, is wider known (the swimsuit is actually named after it). Enewetok and Bikini, both located in the Marshall Islands, were used as nuclear test side by the US military in 1940’s and 1950’s.

In total, 67 nuclear bombs were tested in Bikini, 44 more in Enewetok. The native population of those islands was ruthless relocated. Most of them left home forever.

Further information regarding the Marshallese nuclear legacy can be found here.

Enewetok is such a special place, it can only be reached by a 900 nm boat ride – once or twice a year – on irregular base. Unless you are lucky and catch the ride of your lifetime on a traditional polynesian catamaran replica!

After a bumpy sail of 6 days crossing almost the entire Marshall islands, first sketches and 3D-models were born out of a mixture of salt, sun, wind and nuclear radiation: