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2.1 How did the dug out canoe and outrigger framework originate?
No actual evidence of how the development of the outrigger
concept exists. What we know seems based on the pretext
that the most logical and therefore less intellectually
challenging solutions manifested first, followed later by
the more advanced concepts.
The log formed the basis of the earliest water craft. With
the development of tools, notably the adze (a timber shafted
tool with axe like head fashioned from clam shell or sharpened
rock) logs were subsequently dug-out. Some cultures, such
as the American Northwest Indians, combined this with the
use of fire to hollow the log out.
Earliest evidence of this maritime development can be traced
back to Papua New Guinea, however within Africa this practice
was also widely practiced amongst ocean and river peoples.
Hollowed out, the log thus became a canoe which provided
protection from the elements and provision for storage.
However it had limited stability in rough and choppy waters
and a series of experiments were initiated to improve this.
It is assumed that the lashing of two canoes together, using
separate timber crossbeams would have been the initial method
adopted to create a raft like construction or double hulled
canoe, which went on to be pioneered and reach a zenith
in the hands of the Polynesians and their voyaging canoes.
The conception of an outrigger as a means of increasing
stability is an advanced maritime architectural concept
and it is supposed that the creation of the double outrigger
canoe (an outrigger attachment rigged out on both sides
of a single canoe) was the next stage in this development.
Because of its advanced concept, the last of the methodologies
used it is concluded, was the development of the single
outrigger, the popular paddle craft used extensively for
outrigger canoe racing.
2.2 Who were the designers of the outrigger canoe?
The outrigger canoe is present in parts of the Indian
Ocean including, East Africa, Comoro Islands the Maldives
and parts of India which are substantially older cultures
than that of Oceania and so some would speculate that the
outrigger canoe may have its origins in this region.
However many believe that the outrigger canoe in whatever
form it first appeared, originated in the region of Indonesia,
spreading outwards with the migration of these people across
into Samoa, (the birthplace of Polynesian culture) and also
to Micronesia and Melanesia.
This conclusion seems drawn on the basis that it is from
within these cultures that the outrigger canoe was used
in such huge numbers and from where we have the greatest
variance of design concepts. All seafaring cultures of Oceania
can be described as being a canoe culture, intrinsically
linked by similarity of language and the construction and
reliance on the outrigger canoe in its many and varied forms,
be they paddled or sailed.
2.3 When did the inclusion of outriggers take place?
Putting a date to the development of the outrigger framework
is extremely difficult. The use of natural materials such
as timber and other plant material, has left little or no
archaeological evidence having long since perished. In addition
to this the cultures involved had no written language. Oral
history and legend provides one of the best means of gauging
a time and to some extent cave drawings, or Petroglyphs
which exist in some island regions and in particular, Hawai'i.
At the risk of being grossly inaccurate, it appears that
the concept is at the very least 3000 years old, this being
approximately the time at which the early Polynesians departed
Samoa in voyaging canoes to colonize the Pacific Islands,
known today as the Polynesian triangle.
2.4 Why aren't two outriggers better than one?
Limitations with the double outrigger existed in that
in deep rough water the primary hull became suspended between
two large swells with the outer floats (ama) in contact
with the swell peaks at either side. Thus the single outrigger
overcame this problem ensuring that the primary hull always
remained in contact with the water. The single outrigger
canoe was therefore better able to cope with larger wave
and swell action, given the natural materials available
to the designers.
2.5 Why doesn't the canoe tip over frequently with only
one outrigger?
The secret is in the flexibility of the outrigger assembly,
inherent within the spars (iako) and the lashing material
attached to the primary hull. Constructed of timber the
spars (iako) have a natural degree of inherent flex, so
as the outer float (ama) travels up and down over swell
and chop. The movement is absorbed along the length of the
spars (iako) back to the canoe, much like shock absorbers
on a car.
As a secondary measure the lashing used to attach the spar
(iako) to canoe, should also have a degree of flex and stretch,
so that in the event of the spar (iako) reaching its maximum
flex the lashing material can then give to some degree to
further absorb the movement. Within this lies some important
laws of physics which must be acknowledged as truly advanced
thinking on the part of its designers.
2.6 How are the spars (iako) attached to the canoe?
One of the many skills learnt by the early maritime pioneers
of Oceania, was the skill of manufacturing cordage from
plant fibres called sennet and with it the skill of lashing
timbers together. This then became the method for attaching
the spars (iako) to the canoe across strong thwarts.
Many different types of lashing styles and techniques were
used, but the fundamental aim was to ensure the safety of
the canoe itself so as the lashing would break before the
canoe, which was a quality inherent to the sennet used.
If the lashing did break, it would not unravel itself, achieved
by intricate woven lashing techniques, whereby the cordage
was cinched over itself many times. This remains the method
used today.
2.7 Is rubber used for canoe lashing?
Yes and an excellent material it is - albeit, untraditional.
Rubber inner tube usually from light truck tyres are used
(around 2mm thickness). The natural flex and recoil of rubber
inner tube is mechanically excellent for the purpose of
allowing some degree of give at the point where the spar
is attached to the canoe.
There are problems for long term use as rubber perishes
quickly in strong sunlight and it can unravel quickly once
broken due to its elasticity. For speed of rigging, rubber
is excellent, but must be replaced frequently as it perishes
quickly. |
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