94 Boating New Zealand
The vessel has a
long, solid timber
tiller, with a large,
decorative blade
at the end. Despite
its enormous
weight, steering
is easy thanks
to two factors:
the blade is
buoyant, and the
tiller is carefully
balanced,
pivoting freely
on a greased,
hardwood
knuckle.
(see above)STEERING
THE VAKA“There is a sense of pride combining our
ancestors’ knowledge of navigation with
modern technology as a way for Pacific
people to move forward.”
Peia Patai, Okeanos Vaka Fleet Commander