Watercraft
“Much Quicker”
Decked Sailing Canoe
Often referred to as “the poor man’s yacht,” the decked sailing canoe was hugely popular in the United States and Great Britain during the latter part of the 19th century.
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Watercraft
“Question Mark”
Salish Racing Canoe
North America
Salish racing canoes are derived from traditional Northwest coast canoes, but their proportions are based on Euro-American rowing shells.
Watercraft
“Sea Fever”
Dugout Canoe (Casco)
Central & South America
In 1947, John Schultz purchased this dugout for $16 at the headwaters of the Amazon River, equipping it with a deck and crossing the Caribbean over more than 5,000 miles.
Watercraft
“Tatara”
Fishing Canoe
Asia & the Pacific
Subsistence fishing is a prime economic activity for the Yami people who made this canoe.
Watercraft
“Wet Night”
Sailing Canoe (Gommier)
Central & South America
These boats began to be used for racing on days when they were not needed for fishing, and gradually they evolved into racing craft.
Watercraft
Agai-ni-waiau
Ceremonial Canoe
Asia & the Pacific
The agai-ni-waiau is an integral part of the rite marking a boy’s transition to manhood in the traditional culture on San Cristobal.
Watercraft
Ahima
Dugout sailing canoe
Africa
Ahimas are used for drift net fishing off the coast of Ghana.
Watercraft
Banca
Double Outrigger Canoe
Central & South America
Two outriggers balance the canoe under sail, but they limit the vessel to the coastal zone, for the system does not work well in open ocean.
Watercraft
Cori
Dugout Canoe
Asia & the Pacific
During the Second World War, coast watchers were stationed throughout the Solomons to secretly report Japanese troop and ship; they often used dugouts for transportation.
Watercraft
Crooked
Birch Bark Canoe
North America
The bark of the birch tree is the perfect material for building canoes; it is strong and flexible, and it does not stretch or shrink.
Watercraft
Dugout Canoe
Dugout
Africa
This dugout log is so narrow that the user must stand in order to pole it.
Watercraft
Dugout Pirogue
Dugout Pirogue
North America
Pirogues made of cypress last a long time under normal usage because the wood repels water and resists decay.
Watercraft
Guideboat
North America
In the late 19th century, the Adirondack guideboat evolved from a hunting and
trapping boat into a graceful craft enjoyed by vacationers and sportsmen alike.
Watercraft
Ngalawa
Double Outrigger Canoe
Africa
The same outriggers that effectively extend the fishing range of the canoe also limit it, as double outrigger canoes can be unmanageable in heavy seas.
Watercraft
Va’a
Outrigger Canoe
Asia & the Pacific
Narrow canoes with a round bottom like this one need an outrigger for stability and balance.
