Key details
- Current boat name
- Gilbert Islands outrigger
- Boat class
- 7375
- Function
- Sports and Leisure
- Type
- Outrigger
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 6.71 / 22ft
- Beam (m / ft)
- 3.12 / 10ft 3in
- Masts
- 1
- Rig type
- Lateen single sail
- Propulsion
- Sail
Design and build
- Designer
- Euaua
- Design date
- not known
- Date of build
- 1976
- Place of build
- Kiribati
Current status
- Present use
- Museum/NMMC
History
This double ended outrigger was specifically built for racing in 1975 by Te-Iti-N-Ueana, of Tarawa Island, Kiribati. It was built in secret to safeguard ways of achieving lightweight construction of very fast boats. Apart from replacing the usual heavy coir lashings with lighter ones, it has a canvas sail instead of the traditional matted grass.The float, which is fastened to the outriggers, is kept to windward and used as a balance as well as providing a platform for the crew to sit out on.Speeds of more than 20 knots can be attained, but the craft cannot be sailed closer than 45 degrees to the wind.
New proas are being built to this general design in many parts of the world. GH Mar 2014