Aloha from Kailua, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Kailua is where I was raised but recently returned from 12 years on Maui due to recent death of both parents. I sold my boat when I was still on Maui so was going thru water withdrawals when I noticed an ad in the local Craigslist listing a 17' aluminum canoe. I called the guy and discovered he lived 5 minutes away via boat, and that he would throw in a "ama" or outrigger float in the deal at no extra charge. A couple days later I had my wife drop me off at seller's and I paid the man and paddled back home on stream we both shared. I got this boat for fishing and diving in the ocean so stability in the seas was a must. I attached the ama using 'iako (outrigger booms) I made from CPVC conduit pipe with wood closet rods inserted, works great. My wife and 2 sons did a trial run paddle of about 2 miles to the beach. On arrival it was a blustery day so stayed out of ocean. On paddle back we had the strong trades at our backs and just this made paddling half the effort. I knew then and there I NEEDED a sail. I already had a mast from an old windsurfer which I was using for a fruit picker handle, all I needed was a sail and boom which I picked up used at a local windsurf rental shop for $35 for both. I just today fabricated a leeboard out of an old centerboard my Dad had lying around for years using pieces from the hardware store and the house. Still need to fab a mast base and rudder but have these figured out, just need time. I will be using my sailing canoe to troll Kailua Bay for various fish species (dinner!). I will post more pictures as the work progresses but in the meantime here are pictures from her maiden sea trials.
I named her Makule Akule (Mah-coo-lay, Ah-coo-lay) Hawaiian for senile mackerel. I added eyeballs to scare the fish into submission. Also added a outboard motor bracket and my 3hp Tanaka. Here's her maiden voyage pictures.
Bringing her home diamond in da rough 17' Grumman
Makule Akule on Kailua Beach
Her "angry eyes" to scare the sharks away
A mile offshore from Kailua Beach
SCORE! One 2 pound UKU (Gray Snapper)
Mt. Olomana with the Ko'olau Range in back from a mile offshore
Mokulua Islands with Manana Island and Makapu'u Point in background
Close up of backside of Mokulua Island
The UKU was filleted and sliced into SASHIMI and consumed that night
It was not a bad day at all!
All rigged for sailing...
