PROA – What is it ?

Most of our readers know what a proa is, but for those who don’t here a little piece of multihull know-how: A proa is a twin hulled multihull with one main hull and one ama (smaller outrigger hull). Basically half a trimaran. Depending on where the mast is placed, we distinguish between Atlantic and Pacific Proa types.

Here an interesting fact: Some proas have twin rudders, each on the bow and stern. They don’t tack, but rather “shunt”, basically reversing onto a new tack.

For those who want to know more go to ProaFile: Proafile is an online journal devoted to outrigged sailing canoes and especially the proa, that unique and fascinating invention of the seafaring peoples of Oceania.