Progress on the skin-on-frame outrigger canoe –an ama slowly takes shape

I have been making progress on the skin-on-frame outrigger canoe [note to self:you have to name this thing] on two fronts:a) updating the design a bit and b) building the ama. I hope to have the design updates done soon. I nudged the ama forward as much as I could (maybe six inches),but this was the easier task. The harder problem was reconfiguring the rig. I won’t go into the gorey detail of it,but suffice it to say that,in an effort to get the CE forward,I tried a number of rig configurations,none of them satisfactory. In the end I decided to abandon the two sails approach. Results to follow.

Now –the tangible stuff. I decided to start with the ama because it let me try the techniques of skin-on-frame building in a lower risk project within a project. I am using cheap,generic “white wood”from the local big box as well as some scrap form other efforts. I have built the three sawn frames,and below you can see the results of my first real effort at lashing. I expect those holes will not get used.

The keel has some rocker in it. I did this by resawing the keep the length of the curve,applying epoxy to the halves,and regluing them around a mold. Thanks to Corey Freedman for this approach.

The ama-iako connector is in the Southeast African tradition,one I learned from Gary Dierking. I find it nice-looking and convenient. The styling is my own,as is the frame attachment system.

Detail of the aft frame.

The bow will get a few holes cut in it to save weight,once I know where the side stringers will finally lie. The “transom”will attach to the deck and keel via the mortise and the dado.

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