- Very clear. The lack of trapeze would also be a need to add some cm to the beam, or some wings, doesn´t it? Anyway, adding beam to this boat doesn´t seem to affect it´s performance as it would on a cat (particularly on it´s turning ability).

Could add trapeze although the short masts/wide beam may make this uncomfortable. Wings are easy as the same hull is always to windward, so there are no tripping issues. Extra beam will mean it will exceed 8' on the trailer. Certainly is not a problem for tacking.

Quote
- The lack of stays, that must be a very special and expensive mast?

Not at all. Each one is 8m/26' long, weighs 12 kgs/25lbs and we sell them, unpainted for $Aus2,000/$US1,500. The trick is in the form of the carbon (tow, not uni) and the construction method.

- The front rudder is just left free or is it necessary to fix it while sailing?

The loads on it are pretty light, it can be tied off. Very handy to have it when sudden turns are required, though.

Regards,

Rob

When going upwind, what happens when the boat is sideways to big chop as you are turning it? It does have to be broadside to the waves temporarily, doesn't it?

The waves go undermneath, it wobbles a bit, but very little. Has to be pretty big waves to affect a 4m/13' beam. The actual time spent broadside would not be more than a single wave, so I guess you could chose your momment, much like when tacking. So far, though, it has not been a problem, on this or the bigger ones.

regartds,

rob

Great looking proa Harry -Proas have a long history of course ,-The most famous being Cheers by Newick raced across the Atlantic in the 1968 OSTAR --it was an Atlantic --{ proa smaller hull to leeward } rather than Pacific Proa

here is the copy --CHEERS, Dick Newick's 1968 OSTAR Atlantic Proa

Painting by Bruce A. Alderson, ASMA
68 Wilmarth Bridge Road, Rehoboth, MA 02769 (508)336-5298
CHEERS was piloted in the 1968 OSTAR (Observer's Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race) from Plymouth, England to Newport, Rhode Island by skipper Tom Follett in 27 days, 13 minutes. He finished 3rd overall, beaten only by two monohulls, the 56' Sir Thomas Lipton and the 50' ketch Voortrekker. Follett sailed from the Caribbean to England before the race and from Newport back to St. Croix afterwards.
For the full story, read 'Project Cheers' (Adlard Coles, 1969), a book detailing the saga of Newick's giant-killing Atlantic proa.
Race Committee letter, October, 1967: Royal Western Yacht Club of England
"I notice that you are taking steps to enable the crew to right the vessel when it has capsized, but my committee are more interested in any steps you may take to stop the capsizing in the first place. We are still of the opinion that to race along at 25 knots in between periodically capsizing is not a proper way to cross the Atlantic..."
end copy --

Great craft ,congrates Harry ,looks like great fun .

all the best
Carl

Just a comment about the name, if you forgive to give unrequested advice...
It reminds me the brand of a new type of telemark skis, the "scottybobs" (www.scottybob.com). Quite an interesting development, and a successful business for the guy that designed them (guess his name..). I'm even thinking to expend that kind of money, which is above what I can pay for skis, plus shipping. But naming the brand as a person, to me limits the power of the product. It makes me think of a home made product, the guy himself making it on his garage, then having some success and making his own little company, which started to grow perhaps to an unimagined size, but still on the artisan concept, with a name that now is not quite adecuate for a big selling product (if that is what he expects now for the product anyway..). It also makes me think about scottybob's vanity... something I wouldn´t like to think everytime I use the skis...

It is my impression that you made a very cool boat, but with a not so cool name. Sorry to be so direct and if this post was inadecuate...

snip....It is my impression that you made a very cool boat, but with a not so cool name. Sorry to be so direct and if this post was inadecuate

G'day,
You mean like that Hobie chap? :-)

Actually the name is nothing to do with me or anyone in the business. The first one was called harry as my wife liked the name (no idea why). I called them weight to windward Pacific proas, which is technically what they are. The traditionalists on various chat groups gave me plenty of stick and made a huge fuss. So we changed them to harry proas. We have since had some fun with names derived from harry such as Visionarry (50 footer for a group of blind sailors in Holland), Harrigami (35' folding version, combination of harry and origami) and Elementarry for proa learners. Some people like them, some don't. If we had to put a marketing spin on it, it might be something like "If you think the name is different, wait till you see the boat!"

If you build or buy one, you can call it whatever you like.

I thrive on directness. Please keep it up.

regards,

Rob

Hi Rob,



In that case, consider the scandinavian countries, where Harry is a quite ordinary christian name. What makes this funny, is that most guys named Harry, drives late 80's Ford station wagons, uses barbecue suits all the time, 70's style sunglasses and facial haircuts last seen in porn flicks from the same era and can easily be mistaken for a plumber when viewd from 'astern' (sorry for the prejudice it there are any plumbers here).


Can you see the picture I try to paint for you?


I have seen the hailstorm like pounding you get on the Proa list from time to time, but you are the one building boats and doing it, instead of spewing hot air.


Any racing Harry's coming up, extreme low-cost and possible to race for two days offshore for a crew of three under wildly variating conditions? Downwind under variously sized Outleaders, but able to really fly to windward in light air but steep waves. (Norway to Shetland, a stop to rest and race back)

Good luck with your European tour, looking forward to see the results from Texel and other races.

didn't someone have a problem getting a proa into Round Texel a couple of years ago?...I seem to remember it was a pretty wild design with an articulating crew pod. Has the latest Harry Proa been accepted by the Texel folks?

Personally, I kind of like the name....it is different and if the concept proves to be fast and affordable, you could probably call it "snot blob" and still get away with it.

For those of you who haven`t had a look at the web-site for this boat (link in one of the earlier posts)....
Make sure you have a few hours, I ended up getting deeply entrenched !!
Lots of info about proa`s in general, lots of good VR images of all the designs. And some interesting designs, especially on the bigger boats. And if his material lists and building costs are accurate, I think I`ll be sending off for a set of plans, one day when I grow up.

Cheers
Steve

didn't someone have a problem getting a proa into Round Texel a couple of years ago?...I seem to remember it was a pretty wild design with an articulating crew pod. Has the latest Harry Proa been accepted by the Texel folks?

G'day,

We tried to enter two years ago with the boat you describe. Got banned, so the potential builder lost interest. It is currently being built in Sydney, with a 10.5m/35' leeward hull. Should be an impressive machine.

The latest one has not been accepted, as their contact page doesn't work. Does anyone (Wouter?) have a contact for the race committee. They have said we can race in the Dutch Open the week before and they will assess the boat. Interesting times.

Still looking for crew for all the other European races next year.

Regards,

Rob

Give me a minute ! I'm on it right now.

Wouter

Got it.

Always handy to have a network of good contacts.

Especially if they are on the Texel race committee.

He didn't have the mail adress of your contact on him right now, but he will send me an e-mail with the detail this evening.

You will have the info before tomorrow.


Wouter

G'day Rolf,

We get more enquiries about Harrys from Scandinavia than any other area. 2 x 20m/66' proas being built in Tromso, a 15m/50' in Finland and a stretched Elementarry in Jan Mayen Island. There is probably no more desolate or unlikely spot for boat building in the world. Plus, we got second in a Norwegian design competition and the only Harry copy so far is in Finland.

The race boat to Shetlands is pretty easy. Basically a scaled up Elementarry with as much or as little space as you can handle. The three of you could build it in a month or so, and it would cost you less than $AUS10,000/$US7,500/50,000 krona each. Let me know when you want to start!

Regards,

Rob

You mean, like, Ford?

Look in your inbox ! Good luck

No, not like Ford. Can you picture such a big comany named Henry?
Last names are ok. Companies starting at a garage are ok too, don´t take the comment out of context

Cheers

G'day,

Rediscovered this thread while looking for some other stuff.

European trip a disaster as the boat was not finished. Mainly due to the builders perfectionism. Should be ready for next summer when we do it all again, plus some big boat races in the first of the 15m/50' harryproas. Weighs 2,000 kgs/4,500lbs so should be pretty quick.

My 7.5m/25' Elementarry is now in Perth. Stewart, let me know if you want a sail. Out today in 15 knots of breeze, top speed 16.5, which is disappointing, but the mast/sails combination needs work, as does my technique.

Wouter, the 90 sq m Outleader is on the 15m, if you want to have a go, let me know and I will organise it. Otherwise, next summer for sure!

Regards,

Rob