Jibs used on Hokule’a

Posted on April 12, 2009

Courtesy of Honolulu Star-Bulletin

titled  < Kokule’a hits Palmyra, gets new crew members >.

The article was illustrated with a photo of the Hokule’a under full sail near the atoll.

What was so unusual in this photo was the fact that the voyaging canoe was equipped with a set of triangular staysails, one set forward of the foremost mast, the other in between the two crab claw sails.

Although I understand that smaller jibs increase the speed of the craft in high wind

conditions , it needs to be said however that no traditional Oceanic voyaging canoe was

ever rigged in such a manner. Thus , the rigging as shown in the attached picture, departs

from what is known about Hawaiian voyaging canoes.