Sailing Canoes
Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

Paddling Canoes

Wooden canoes made from the trunk of a single tree are the main form of transportation around the islands of Milne Bay. Small dugout canoes, with outrigger are common and are used to travel suprisingly large distances and in conditions that could only be described as perilous. The locals who do it though, are very adept at handling the canoes and they make it look so easy.

Sailing Canoes

Sailing canoes are much larger and still made by hollowing out a single tree trunk. An outrigger is attached and a small solid platform between the two is fitted.

Handling a sailing canoe is a real art and requires at least 2 people and generally 3 people. Traditionally, the sails were made by weaving pandanus palm leaf, but now, almost exclusively the sails are made from discarded sheets of plastic, sewn together with fishing line.

There is no fixed rudder (It's all done by using a large paddle, and there is no front or back of the canoe as when the canoe changes it's tack, the back becomes the front and vice versa. The helmsman, must then change positions in the canoe, as does the other crew.

Sailing aboard one is a thrilling experience. They are incredibly fast, even in light wind conditions and there is always action on deck as they are quite a handfull for the crew to manage.