Today, Okeanos Foundation for the Sea has constructed vaka motus for island nations across the Pacific, including Vanuatu, the Northern Marianas, Yap, Pohnpei and the Marshall Islands.įor the crew of Okeanos Marshall Islands, this innovative form of transportation that combines fossil fuel-free technology with traditional design creates an opportunity for islanders to regain their ancient sea roads and practice the traditional sailing skills of their ancestors. The wood-carved paddle, or hoi, is used by Okeanos crew as a rudder to steer the canoe. The vaka motu boasts of a maximum weight of nine tons, accommodating 12 people and three tons of cargo. ![]() To meet the needs of the 21st Century, the vakas are outfitted with modern technology that includes a hybrid engine that runs on solar energy, biofuel, fiberglass hulls, and a water desalination kit. With a design inspired by Captain Cook’s 18th Century drawings of Polynesian sailing canoes, the vaka has twin hulls, traditional crab claw sails, and is held together by rope lashings. The design of Okeanos’ Vaka Motus are a combination of traditional Pacific knowledge & modern technology to operate smoothly in the open ocean while meeting today’s safety standards. The Okeanos vaka motu, which translates to “boat for the islands,” is modeled after the ships of island ancestors who, like the Disney heroine, navigated the open-ocean using only the stars, wind, waves, and other elements of nature to settle on the islands strung across Pacific ocean. Since 2011, Okeanos Foundation for the Sea has been dedicated to constructing traditionally inspired, fifty-foot sailing canoes that most outsiders would liken to the vessel seen in Disney’s animated film Moana. The philanthropic non-profit Okeanos Foundation for the Sea has created a solution to this problem, turning to the ancient knowledge of Pacific islanders who have been navigating the largest ocean continent for centuries. Meanwhile, chartering a simple “island-hopper” flight can cost more than the average outer islander’s yearly salary. For the thousands of Micronesian islands stretched across thevast western Pacific Ocean, communities often wait months for diesel powered cargo ships to service their atolls and restock local shops with imported essentials. Traveling between some of the most remote islands in the Pacific is infrequent and expensive for both tourists and locals alike. ![]() Today, these islanders face a major threat to this cultural revival through a lack of the very thing that is keeping their culture alive: transportation. With only the stars as their guide, Pacific voyagers seek to revive and maintain traditional ancestral practices passed down from revered navigators, celebrated for their bravery and perseverance on traditionally designed sailing canoes. *Painted boats are also painted Linen White on the interior, except the Olive Drab which is painted Olive Drab on the interior.For more than 2000 years, Pacific Islanders have upheld a rich history of culture and traditions deeply rooted in deep sea voyaging and navigation despite the thousands of blue water miles that divide these communities. All canoes come standard in Natural Aluminum finish, paint options (Black, Insignia Blue, Burgundy, Hunter Green, and Matte Olive Drab*) are available for an additional charge. In other words, better parts mean better canoes. For added rigidity and unbeatable strength, Grumman Canoes use die-formed aluminum ribs and thwarts, and solid aluminum extruded gunnels. ![]() The stretch forming process permanently shapes the curves designed into the bow, stern and sides for maximum strength. ![]() The aluminum alloy is substantially stronger than traditional alloys, giving it the power it needs to perform and last.Įach canoe is hand-riveted with specially-designed T-6 Alumilite rivets for maximum strength along gunnels, keels and ribs. Grumman® Canoes are hand-crafted from a special age-hardened, stretch-formed aluminum alloy. Here’s to The Next Generation of Canoers.ĭurable.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |