2-Person Outrigger Canoe

Tasked with creating an affordable version of a two-person Polynesian-style Outrigger Canoe, my senior project team spent three quarters designing, building, and testing this fun sea-craft. This project strengthened by SolidWorks skills and allowed me to learn a new hull-designing software called MaxSurf. It also taught me some excellent skills in collaboration as I worked with a sponsor, an advisor, and a a team of four interdisciplinary students to complete this project.

The Canoe was 24' in overall length. The onsite CNC machine had a maximum cutting length of 6'. Thus, the cast for the hull was machined into its specific shape in sections. Wood was used to conserve the cost of foam.

The Canoe was 24' in overall length. The onsite CNC machine had a maximum cutting length of 6'. Thus, the cast for the hull was machined into its specific shape in sections. Wood was used to conserve the cost of foam.

Placing the sections together for the first time. Some CNC cuts were too rough to use as a final cast so hours of sanding were required as well as Bondo Putty to fill any gaps.

Placing the sections together for the first time. Some CNC cuts were too rough to use as a final cast so hours of sanding were required as well as Bondo Putty to fill any gaps.

The final hull cast. 24' in length and 18" in width.

The final hull cast. 24' in length and 18" in width.

The Maiden Journey

Our Project Sponsor launching the 2-Person Polynesian Style Outrigger Canoe in San Luis Obispo for the first time!

 

Credit: Youtube - “Launching the HMS Patience” by Ian Adamson