Melanesia Outrigger Sailing Canoe

Adam Birtwistle of Swan River in Perth, Australia, recently finished building a Melanesia Outrigger sailing canoe, designed by James Wharram. He spent a year on the contruction. The hull is stitch-and-glued gaboon plywood with oak stringers. The seats and outrigger are made of cedar. He built the spars, akas, and steering paddle from Oregon pine. Hills Sails in Perth sewed the sails. The main hull is about 2′ wide, and the overall beam (main hull and outriggers) is about 7.5′. Adam launched his canoe last January in Swan River.