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Harry Proa - Original (2002)

 

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It has long been observed that the main requirements of any boat are space, speed and low cost, and that while any two of these are possible in a particular boat, all three are not. However, if you are prepared to sail a boat that looks different, and requires a slightly different tacking technique, perhaps it can be done.

Harry is a Pacific proa with a difference. All the accommodation is in the weather hull, always. To the best of my knowledge this has never been done before, as according to popular wisdom, a proa with a balanced rig and most of it's weight to windward will not shunt successfully. Five years experimenting with various possibilities has resulted in a boat that not only shunts, but also shunts very well. Not as quickly as a mono tacks, but considerably quicker and far easier than a lot of multis.

One of the prototypes for Harry was "U" which featured in Multihull Magazine. That edition also contains a lot of background on proas.

Sailing Harry single handed takes less effort than any other boat I have ever sailed. Harry points high, sails fast and is very responsive: in many ways more responsive than conventional monos and multis. Harry is meant as a basic weekender for 4, or an extended coastal cruiser for a couple.

The original idea was to get my wife back into sailing, while providing me with a boat capable of coastal racing. Sue dislikes heeling, pitching, getting wet, pulling on ropes, winding winches and having to move around all the time. Her idea of sailing is sitting comfortably, watching the world go by while she sips Chardonnay and chats to her friends. Harry fills these requirements admirably.

Harry has the following attributes: ..... click to continue the "Meet Harry" article.

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