Boatbuilding Workshop
When I was in New Zealand I built two imitation waka (Maori canoe) with
school groups. They were basically two June Bugs butted together to make
a 25 foot boat that would hold a dozen kids. June Bug is a great design,
especially for kids and families. Stable, easy to transport, good for
rowing or sailing. It's quite easy to build, and lends itself to
prefabbing many parts for assembly by the kids. An idea from our waka
experience that might lend itself to a regular June Bug: Each kid made
their own paddle and decorated it. Ours were imitation traditional Maori
but you could use a number of different designs. They were basically 8
sided 2x2s with plywood blades. The June Bug is stable enough that two
small children can sit side by side and paddle the thing. Check out the
design.
Tom Gilliland
school groups. They were basically two June Bugs butted together to make
a 25 foot boat that would hold a dozen kids. June Bug is a great design,
especially for kids and families. Stable, easy to transport, good for
rowing or sailing. It's quite easy to build, and lends itself to
prefabbing many parts for assembly by the kids. An idea from our waka
experience that might lend itself to a regular June Bug: Each kid made
their own paddle and decorated it. Ours were imitation traditional Maori
but you could use a number of different designs. They were basically 8
sided 2x2s with plywood blades. The June Bug is stable enough that two
small children can sit side by side and paddle the thing. Check out the
design.
Tom Gilliland