Niuean canoe "Vaka Heke Tahi"

sketchfab

Captured at the Auckland Maritime Museum. This model is shared for educational purposes only. All copyrights and intellectual property are reserved by the creators of this canoe. The sign at the museum reads: Vaka Heke Tahi. Outrigger paddling canoe from Niue. To go fishing from Niue, a fisherman has to carry his canoe over the reef and launch straight into the ocean; there is no sheltered lagoon. To make that easier, the hull of this canoe is intentionally very light. A small log is dug out, then a ‘whaleback’ deck and ‘washtrade’ sides are added to keep the water out. The stringer (wooden pole) between the cross beams is tied loosely at one end so that it can be moved for carrying the vaka on the shoulder of the fisherman. Only one person would paddle this canoe to go fishing, but in Niue there are larger canoes built for three or four fisherman. Length: 14 ft 10 in / 4.52 m. Beam Overall: 4 ft 3 in / 1.3 m.