I put my Tamanu up for sale a couple of days ago and got a request from a potential buyer for some pictures. I put the boat together with the foils, akas, and amas but didn’t have time to get the mast and sail up due to an approaching thunderstorm.

I have to say after see her setup I have very mixed feelings about selling her – especially at the low ball price I set. In her current state she should be worth at least $5000 and if I finished her maybe $10000. She really looks good and I think will be a great WaterTribe boat for the EC or UF.

Tamanu Showing Her Side Profile

Tamanu Leeboard - made by Rudder Craft

Tamanu Rudder - made by Rudder Craft

Tamanu Tiller

Tamanu Rear Storage Area

Notice there is a floor with a Hobie hatch. The intent is to use a waterproof duffle with tie downs sitting in this area for stuff I might need while on the water. The compartment under the hatch is for a battery or other stuff that would not normally be needed while on the water. The tiller swings back and forth over this compartment. The floor is above the waterline and you can see drain holes at the forward end of the space.

Tamanu Center Cockpit

The center cockpit also has a floor with Hobie hatches. There are two hatches because there is a bulkhead under the floor. Depending on other choices you make a tractor style seat similar to the Kruger Dreamcatcher could be placed above the Hobie hatch at the rear of the cockpit. But many would prefer to have hiking benches or trampolines which would be easy to make and install.

Tamanu Forward Compartment

This is the forward compartment. Just like the one in the rear there is a floor above the waterline and a Hobie hatch. There are drain holes at the rear of this section. Again it is intended to have a waterproof duffle with a tie down system to hold stuff needed on the water. Longer term storage is below.

Tamanu from the front. She is very slender.

Tamanu with aluminum akas installed

The aluminum is from NRS and is the same stuff used in their whitewater rafts. It is very strong and there are lots of fittings that can easily be added. For example, oar locks.

Tamanu close up of the NRS fixture for joining tubes

Another view of the akas from the front

The akas are lashed to the center hull

Obviously, this is just a very quick way to lash the akas to the boat. A real lashing would use about five loops before being tied off. I have had very good results lashing akas and amas over the years.

Also, there are some really cool options for doing the akas that we can talk about.

Tamanu with Classic 16 Big Ama Attached

Wow! Doesn’t that look cool! My Classic 16 Big Amas are so much better than the original wood designs (in my oh so humble opinion).

Tamanu ama

Tamanu Ama from rear quarter

Tamanu Ama from rear

Tamanu upside down to show the bottom curve a bit better

Tamanu upside down from rear

Tamanu Bottom

The bottom has a funny look because there are layers of fiberglass tape that were smoothed out using low density filler. At one time I was going to put a layer of kevlar. Might not be a bad idea depending on intended use.

That’s it. I am really trying to figure out if selling her is such a good idea.

There is still plenty of work.

• All rigging is needed
• Mast needs to be modified to sort of be like a Hobie mast
• Rudder head needs finishing
• Akas need just a small amount of work. Also, might want to consider something like Jim Brown used in his latest design.
• Side seats should be strongly considered.
• Other stuff too depending on your needs

I’m back to finishing up the Tamanu. Today it was time to install the leeboard pivot. It’s pretty simple. Just drill a hole, install the bushing and stick a pin through the whole mess. Of course, when I do a simple job it takes several hours.

Use a jig to get a perfect hole for the bushing.

The bushing with backing plate from the inside.

The bushing from the outside.

Leeboard mounted with a wooden pin that will be replaced with stainless steel.