A Hawaiian Canoe Crosses the Oceans, Guided by Sun and Stars

ImaginaryNumber · Nov 3, 2015

A Hawaiian Canoe Crosses the Oceans, Guided by Sun and Stars | New York Times

Next June, a working replica of a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe — 62 feet long, double-hulled, with two powerful crab-claw sails — will make its way down the Hudson River, one small leg in a three-year journey.

In a nod to their seafaring ancestors, the crew of 13 will forgo modern navigational equipment — no compass, sextant or GPS devices, not even an iPhone — in favor of wayfinding, a traditional navigational technique that relies on gauging the position of the sun, moon and stars, taking into account variations in ocean currents and wave patterns and even the behavior of fish and birds...

While the crew aboard Hokule’a will, for the most part, use wayfinding techniques, the canoe is equipped with modern instruments in case of emergencies, and to navigate around more dangerous straits and channels, like the Mozambique Channel and the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

“If we can navigate without them, we will,” Ms. Ishii said. “But if the weather compromises us, or it becomes an issue of speed, we will use instruments.”...

Last year, Hokule’a embarked on a new journey, with a more urgent purpose: a three-year circumnavigation of the globe — more than 60,000 nautical miles — with events along the way aimed at drawing attention to the effects of climate change on the oceans...

On training sails, she said, Mr. Thompson teaches apprentices skills like how to stand and sleep simultaneously — “he will stand up and put his hands on the railing with his elbows locked so that he can sleep for a few minutes at a time,” she said — and how to observe the ocean and the sky for cues...

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Anatol · Nov 6, 2015

ImaginaryNumber said: ↑

A Hawaiian Canoe Crosses the Oceans, Guided by Sun and Stars | New York Times
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Cool! How do we find out more?
Anyone who wants to know about the almost lost traditions of pacific wayfinding: there are several good books. I recommend David Lewis ' classic We, the Navigators. Grab a copy.
http://www.amazon.com/We-Navigators-Ancient-Landfinding-Pacific/dp/0824815823

Skip JayR · Nov 12, 2015

ImaginaryNumber said: ↑

A Hawaiian Canoe Crosses the Oceans, Guided by Sun and Stars | New York Times
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great post... sounds cool !

I'd like to learn that "sleeping while standing" technique, too. Actually I am looking for a trimaran (around 40 feet) for single handes sailing (living + working on board).

Beside the cockpit configuration mostly all lines are centred there and lots of winches I have to think about such "sleeping issues", too. ;-)

gonzo · Nov 13, 2015

A crew of 13 should be able to get lots of sleep laying down. It breaks down to maybe 3-4 hours of work a day per person.

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A Hawaiian Canoe Crosses the Oceans, Guided by Sun and Stars

ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

Anatol Senior Member

Skip JayR Tri Enthusiast

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gonzo Senior Member

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