Hand building a 30 foot Polynesian-inspired catamaran
As surfers, our draw towards sailing follows a long line of ocean people who have felt compelled to move further from land and out into the big blue. The Polynesian culture perhaps reached the peak of this ocean-centric life by surfing and sailing throughout the Pacific, the largest expanse of ocean anywhere in the world. Inspired by this history, we decided to build a Polynesian-inspired 30 foot catamaran designed by James Wharram.
This progression from wave riding to ocean travel has happened wherever there are wind and waves. Examples of adept water people can even be found in the language we use, for example, the word catamaran comes from India and the long line of surfer/sailors that stretches back thousands of years along the Indian Ocean.
In more recent history, a number of surfings most influential characters have progressed from surfboards to sailboats as their water knowledge and ocean years have pushed them to explore. This is illustrated by the adventurous tales of Woody Brown, Hobie Alter, Mickey Munoz, Wayne Lynch, Joey Cabell, George Greenough and surfings most loved world champ, the adept John John Florence.
Any surfer that embraces this progression is woven into this timeline, and is adding to our cultural depth and connections within oceania.
The Dream
Surfers all over the world, stretching far back in time, have played among the smallest ripples to the largest ocean swells. Our adventure of hand-making a thirty foot catamaran and then voyaging into the deep blue fits into a long line of water people who have done the same.
We are doing this from scratch so we can learn, explore and adventure, to ride waves, to learn from other water people skilled in all things aquatic, to better understand the state of our oceans. To shake off the busyness and mess of modern land life and live by tide and wind, moon and sun. To educate our young kids in the ways of the natural world in an experiential way.
We are building this boat so that it may be useful to efforts of preservation and regeneration of marine ecosystems.
We are building this boat because it’s fun! The challenge of making your own boat and then trusting your work enough to venture into the wild ocean and stay afloat is a real life experience. The ups and downs of the build, like the tame and turbulent nature of the ocean, make an adventurous life. Smooth seas never made a skillful sailor!
The Boat
Our boat of choice is a proven design by renowned adventurer, designer, and philosopher James Wharram. Wharram designs are based on traditional Polynesian sailing vessels, known for their simplicity and seaworthiness. The Tiki 30 is a thirty foot catamaran capable of ocean crossings and shallow water exploration, a surfers dream vessel.
The catamaran is completely handmade, composed of plywood and epoxy fibreglass. This design is known for fast sailing and the ability to wander above the deepest depths of the ocean and the shallowest atolls and lagoons where many boats cannot go.
Follow the progress
We are building this boat on a rural property in Byron Bay and the project is underway. The unique design of the Tiki 30 allows everything to be built by hand by the novice builder(s). We are learning as we go with the help of friends who have useful skills and experience. The idea is that this boat becomes a part of our community.
With the right resources, the build process will take approximately 12 months. We plan to launch the boat in the Summer of 2025.
Longterm, the boat will be used for adventure, to find surf, and as a tool to advocate for the protection of marine ecosystems.
The Crew
Dave Rastovich
Surfer, activist and food grower.
Dave has been a prominent and well respected figure in the surfing world for over 3 decades, he is unique in the surfing world because he has used his career as a tool to protect and advocate for our coasts and oceans. Daves work focuses on connecting people through grassroots activism, conversation and community building.
Lauren L. Hill
Surfer, writer and director.
Lauren has spent the past decade exploring new waves and documenting surf cultures around the world through an eco-feminist lens. She develops projects that revolve around the power of storytelling to build community and inspire action to protect our planet. [copy-pasted this from laurens website cause it was concise but more to say!]
Aiyana Powell
Surfer, sailor and writer.
Aiyana spent her childhood cruising the North West Pacific Ocean on a 44ft Sail boat with her family - later studying at UC Berkley and then working on organic farms before moving to Australia. Aiyana is known for her gracious approach to wave riding, courageous adventures, insightful writings and environmental advocacy.
along with our community
Torren Martyn
Surfer, sailor and filmmaker.
Torren’s unique style is well known in the surfing world and his adventure-based surf films reach a global audience. His films focus on surfing as a means of connection - to nature, to culture and to yourself. His latest film ‘Calypte’ focused on a year-long journey with partner Aiyana Powell, sailing and surfing their way through the Indonesian archipelago.