By Staff on 9 October 2012 for Hokulea.org -
(http://hokulea.org/uncategorized/october-9-pvs-press-release-on-the-hikianalia-voyage/)
Image above: Hikianalia was out of the water for balancing the steering and orop pitch adjustment at the Salthouse Boat Builders in New Zealand. From (http://pacificvoyagers.org/preparing-hikianalia-for-her-first-voyage).
Like Hokulea, Hikianalia carries a Hawaiian star name. Spica (Hikianalia) rises together with Arcturus (Hokulea) in Hawaii. “They are sister stars because they break the horizon together, and Hikianalia will be the first wa‘a, or traditional double-hulled canoe, to accompany Hōkūle‘a as an escort vessel,” explains master navigator Bruce Blankenfeld.
Hikianalia will sail alongside Hōkūle‘a as part of the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s 2013 Worldwide Voyage and will be a vital component in the WWV’s educational endeavors.
Hikianalia is a high-tech, eco-friendly double-hulled canoe constructed by master boat builders in Auckland, New Zealand. She is made from the same mold as the seven waka moana of the Pacific Voyagers that sailed to Hawai‘i in 2011.
Hikinanalia has electric rather than diesel motors, and in-board propellers. She is 72 feet long, 23 feet wide, and weighs 30,000 gross tons. Each of Hikianalia’s hulls contains an electric motor powered by onboard photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight to electric propulsive energy.
Hikianalia was launched in Auckland on September 15th. Since then, crewmembers have put her through extensive sea trials.
Image above: crewmember Jenna Ishii helped Captain Bruce Blankenfeld inventory gear and manifest storage locations before voyage to Tahiti. From (http://pacificvoyagers.org/preparing-hikianalia-for-her-first-voyage).
“She has great balance and sails beautifully,” says Blankenfeld, who will captain Hikianalia from Aotearoa to Tahiti. “Like all canoes, she’s definitely a living entity and will be a faithful companion to Hokulea during the Worldwide Voyage.”
The Hikianalia is currently sailing from New Zealand (or Aotearoa, to the Maori), to Tahiti. Hikianalia is expected to reach Pape‘ete in 3 weeks, accompanied by the Tahitian canoe Fa‘afaite. A new crew will sail Hikianalia to Hawaii from Tahiti and will make landfall in Hilo.
Hikianalia Progress Report (2012-10-09 06:30 UTC/GMT; Oct 8, 20:30 HST)
(http://hokulea.org/hikianalia-aotearoa-hawaii/hikianalia-progress-report-2012-10-09-0630-utcgmt-oct-8-2030-hst/)
We had a nice peaceful day of sailing, slow at first, but a bit faster as we exited Hauraki Gulf and entered the Pacific Ocean itself.
We cleared Cape Colville at the end of Coromandel Peninsula and Cuvier Island and are using those two landmasses to “back sight” as we face backwards while steering.
Many of the crew braved icy buckets of green seawater for bracing baths during the sunny portion of this morning. The first bucket takes your breath away, but you really feel great when the whole process is over. Master chef Gary Yuen prepared the ono-like fish we caught today in a delicious fish and long rice dish topped off with Oreo cookies.
We opened up a bit of a gap on Faafaite today, but slowed to be near each other throughout the night. It is good to have a companion on this voyage and we both benefit from each other’s company. Hikianalia is proving to be a smooth, crew-friendly sailor so far and we have all developed a deep affection for her already.
Every day is a great new learning experience and we really benefit from the crew members who have many deep sea miles “under their keels” sharing their knowledge with the rest of us.
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2 comments :
Well, technically speaking, carrier sentry concepts don't require switching hulls, but being able to does reduce losses.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. A great collection of pictures and a nice story at all.
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