Looks like Hans used the style and build method of the pirogues that can be seen throughout the West African coast and adapted the hull form for catamaran use as per Admiral Paris' plans.
Some West African pirogue examples...
St. Louis, Senegal - (
pic source)
click pic to enlarge
click pic to enlarge
Below - near Banjul, Gambia - (
pic source)
click pic to enlarge
BTW, Hans also built near Banjul.
Found some info about the pirogues in an FAO report (pdf).
FAO LIBRARY AN: 320319 - IDAF / WP / 39 - PURSE SEINE AND ENCIRCLING NET FISHING - OPERATIONS IN SENEGAL, GUINEA, SIERRA LEONE, GHANA AND BENIN - July 1991
From the report page 14 (is page 20 on the pdf)
‘‘ THE BOAT.
The Senegalese Pirogue has evolved from the dugout canoe and has a solid beam of wood some 40 - 50 cm thick as a keel upon which side planks have been fitted to increase both the size and carrying capacity of the canoe (see fig 3 *). These side planks are linked together by transverse thwarts, cross beams and occassionally bulkheads which give the hull strength. Strips of heavy canvas are nailed lengthwise over tarred caulking to stop leakage while at the stern of the canoe an outboard engine mounting bracket is situated amidships over a well cut directly through the keel. The length of canoe used in the purse fishery has increased since the mid eaghties to an average of some 18-20 metres but there are some canoes of this type which now occassionally reach 24-26 metres in length. Example measured at Dakaar Fig 3* proved to be 24 metres in length. ’’
See the pirogue drawings in the report
*(Fig 3 from the quote) on page 13 (is page 19 on the pdf), and page 25 (is page 31 on the pdf).
And compare it to John's photos (unfortunately gone) and the one below, on which Hans based his boat, from the in above post linked article.
click pic for source
John, could you please repost the pictures that are gone or provide a link where they can be seen ? That would be nice
Cheers,
Angel
