Harryproa
Though many multihull enthusiasts have a keen interest in proas, and though this multihull type was a highly successful traditional craft, few have been built in recent times. The characteristics of these boats have remained obscure to the average sailor. Their potential, built with modern materials and designed for modern cruising requirements, remains largely unexplored.
In launching a large cruising proas after many years of experimentation, research and development, Harryproa is set to raise the profile on this class of multihull.
It has long been observed that the main requirements of any boat are space, speed and low cost, and that while any two of these are possible in a particular boat, all three are not. Harryproa's premise is that if one is prepared to sail a boat that looks different, and requires a slightly different tacking technique, perhaps it can be done.
Harryproas are Pacific proas with a difference. All the accommodation is in the weather hull, always. This has never been done before, as according to popular wisdom, a proa with a balanced rig and most of its weight to windward will not shunt successfully.
Eight years experimenting with various possibilities has resulted in a boat that not only shunts, but shunts very well. Not as quickly as a mono tacks, but - according to designer Rob Denney - considerably quicker and far safer and easier than a lot of multis. Harryproas point high, sail fast and are very responsive.
Layout:
There are two hulls. The leeward one handles the sailing function. It is long, very narrow and low and contains the rig and rudders. The windward hull is shorter and contains the accommodation, consisting of 2 large double berths, standing headroom, galley and separate toilet and shower.
Comfort:
This layout not only puts most of the weight in the right place, it means that the non-sailing crew does not have to be involved with the sailing. They can sit or lie on either the contoured bench seats or the trampoline, well clear of the sailing action, and the spray. Here they won't need to change sides when the boat tacks, avoid travellers, winches and sheets, and won't get in the way of the sailors.
The cockpits are sheltered, with excellent visibility of the sails and the sea, without excluding the helmsman from the social aspects of sailing.
Sailing:
The comfort is not just for the non-sailors. Harry has an EasyRig: a balanced sloop rig, on a self supporting carbon mast. This means no winches, travellers, tracks, turning blocks or highly stressed sheets. The main sheet is a simple, lightly loaded 1:1 purchase, there are no other sheets required.
Harryproas are very stable, theoretically not flying a hull in cruising mode until the apparent wind reaches 25 knots.
If it does fly a hull, the boat rotates around the base of the mast. Consequently it has a very smooth stability curve which is still positive at very high (over 75°, depending on crew location) angles of heel. If it were to capsize, the buoyant mast and boom should stop it going past 90°, and should also act as a sea anchor, enabling the hulls to blow downwind, at which time the wind should flip the boat back upright.
Tacking/gybing:
To tack or gybe, one needs to release the sheet, steer onto a reach, trim the new sheet; the rudders reverse almost automatically and one sails on the new course. Marginally slower than tacking, but almost effortless, and a lot more controllable, particularly at low speed or in crowded waterways. Apart from the scenery going in the opposite direction, the passengers are hardly aware of the change. The self supporting mast is designed to flex and reduce power at a given wind speed. This automatic depowering delays the need for reefing and makes the boat a lot safer in gusty conditions.
Rudders:
Harry has two large rudders, which rotate through 290°. These not only steer exceptionally well, but also remove the need for centreboards. The rudders can be lifted for off the wind sailing, or when shallow draft is required. The rudders are one of the reasons why Harry works so well. Even at low speeds, they operate efficiently, so shunting and maneuvering in tight situations are very simple. The rudders are hung off brackets on the windward side of the leeward hull. Even if they were to be ripped off, there would be no damage below the waterline.
Speed:
Harryproas are light. The first 15 m/50 ft cruising version weighs 2 tons in sailing trim. This is incredible for a stripped out racing multi. For a cedar cruising boat, it is unheard of. Consequently it is very easily driven, so a small sail area is sufficient for cruising. The lightweight is not at the expense of strength. Pacific proas are far less stressed than conventional multis. On Harry the stress is reduced even further by placing the entire rig, beam and steering loads within a small distance of the middle of the leeward hull.
Cost:
The light weight not only means speed, it means low cost as there is less material to buy. The cost is further reduced by having most of the furniture integral with the structure of the boat. There is very little metal in the boats. Metal causes stress concentrations, is heavy and expensive. Carbon tow in epoxy requires a bit more thought at the design stage, but spreads the load much better, does not require holes in the structure, is easy to apply and cheap.
The EasyRig is also low cost compared to conventional rigs and all their associated paraphernalia, and it has far lower ongoing maintenance costs.
Harryproas will not be everyone's cup of tea. Sailors are notoriously conservative people, and many of them buy boats for reasons other than speed, comfort and low cost. However, for those who do want these attributes, and who aren't afraid of being different, several models of Harryproas can be bought at any stage of completion, or as detailed plans (the individual boat models will be listed here soon).
