America's Cup technology aids research into voyaging canoes

An Auckland University student is using computer models to investigate sailing characteristics of the voyaging canoes that carried Maori and other Polynesians across the Pacific Ocean.

Anthropology student Brian Jacobs moved to Auckland from the United States to research the performance of traditional canoes using mathematical models.

The computerised models are similar in concept to those used to find the best hull shapes and sails for America's Cup yachts.

Mr Jacobs said a lot of anecdotal evidence existed about traditional canoes, and it was known how reconstructed canoes performed.

"But nobody has actually examined the boats using scientific methods to provide any kind of evidence," he said.

The first study of its kind, it would compare traditional Polynesian and Micronesian vessels, including single outrigger and double-hull canoes from the early 18th and late 17th centuries.

"Those boats are very closely tied to the ancient canoes, so once I have an understanding of them, I will use that knowledge to study the 1000-year-old boats," he said.

"It fascinates me to think of the thousands of miles that people journeyed in these canoes."

Mr Jacobs said he grew up 1100km away from the ocean in the middle of North America, but came up with the idea of treating the ancient canoes as naval architecture while researching his conjoint Bachelor of Anthropology and Chemistry degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

By studying for a masters degree at Auckland, he could access the university's expertise in the migratory patterns of Pacific people and yacht design.

His computer work will "model" canoes so he can use physics and mathematics to examine how they would sail at various angles to the wind, important in ocean voyaging.

Project co-supervisor and archaeologist Geoff Irwin said most other studies into Pacific sailing canoes had used actual canoes and models but not engineering methods to study sailing performance.

- NZPA

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine