The Tahiti Wayfarer hull shape is derived from traditional dug-out canoes from Tahiti and Samoa, but built in stitch & glue ply/epoxy. All other components of the boat are constructed from materials found in nature. Crossbeams and spars are made from small trees and saplings with natural forks for jaws, stripped of bark and sculpturally finished, all parts are lashed together. As she is likely to be used in the open sea she has a self-draining floor (large enough to sleep on) and watertight bow and stern compartments.
This hull shape has only 8″ – 20cm draft; her lateral resistance comes from a fine forefoot combined with the area of the steering-paddle/side-rudder. She can be built as a Double Canoe with two same-sized hulls and a platform big enough to erect a two man tent on, or as an Outrigger Canoe using just one hull and a light weight log as outrigger float. She is rigged with a crab claw sail, using rope standing rigging. Tahiti Wayfarer with her very shallow draft is a perfect boat for exploring, a great boat for use by scouts and youth groups or to be taken on a ‘Raid’. Auxiliary propulsion is by paddle, oars or Yuloh.
By self-making everything: natural spars, sails and even hand carved deadeye blocks, her building cost is very low (the Plans give all details). This is a boat that needs NO expensive hardware! The aim of the Wharram new Ethnic Design range is to study and understand by practical experience aspects of the design of canoe form craft from the ancient sailing world.
