Important News regarding the Polynesian Catamaran Association

Friday, March 05 2010 @ 11:04 AM GMT

by Bob Bois

As I write this, yet another low pressure system is spinning off the coast of New England, dumping another 10 inches of snow on us. My building shed is cold and dark. I have a long way to go.

How many years left on your build? Two? Three? Four, five or more?
Where do you turn for inspiration when the process seems to go one forever? Or the epoxy has gone off too early? Or you tell yourself for the hundredth time: I can’t afford this.

Where are the photos and stories that will prove to you that, yes, it is possible to build this boat and sail it wherever you want to go? Where are the guides and mates that have been where you are now and are more than willing to show you that you will get to the end of the build, you will live the life you have envisioned – whatever that means for you.

I’ll tell you where they are: they’re in the pages of “The Sea People” magazine, published regularly by the Polynesian Catamaran Association (PCA).



And you don’t need to be a Wharram builder to appreciate the organization. If you bought your boat from another builder, or had it professionally built, you will still find oceans of information available to you through the PCA. I know this firsthand. We bought a Tiki 30 a few years back (we are now building Tiki 46 no. 38) and the owner included practically all back issues of the “The Sailorman” and “The Sea People”. We devoured these magazines. We dreamed of sailing to Culatra, Martinique, transiting the Panama Canal and seeing the entire Pacific spread before us.

When the New England winter bit down hard, we huddled in front of the fireplace and went through the magazines chronologically, following tales of John Shores and his big, black, engineless Tehini. Or the Wharrams building and voyaging on the original Tehini and, later, the Spirit of Gaia.

The later issues of the magazine contained articles by more recent Wharramites: Ann and Nev Clement of Peace IV (Tiki 46), Rory MacDougall and Cooking Fat (Tiki 21 that sailed round the World!), Dave Vinnicomb and his Dragon (Tiki 38). There are too many examples of ‘the Wharram spirit” in the back issues of the magazine to list here.

In addition, the PCA sponsors sail-ins and meets across the globe, events where Wharram builders, sailors, or those merely interested in the boats, can get together and swap stories and innovations over a pot luck meal and their favorite beverage.

Hard times for the PCA

Unfortunately, the PCA has of late been undergoing a difficult period. With the recent passing of the secretary Ken Hook, Anita his wife has been almost single-handedly running the PCA, and doing quite a good job of it, despite considerable difficulties. Pleas for help in reinvigorating the PCA have gone largely unanswered from the membership, for whatever reason. The committee members that have taken part in recent email discussions are all agreed that for the PCA to continue, it must ‘migrate’ to the US, where there appears to be, at this time, more PCA interest and activity. I don’t know if this is true or not; however, I have volunteered to act as Secretary during this time of transition.

This is not the first time the PCA has been on the rocks. Each time the PCA has fallen down, a different set of people has come forward to revive the association and move it forward. The association - your association- needs a group to coalesce to keep this important tradition going. Please read James’ brief history of the PCA.

Times have changed. There are now websites, forums, blogs and other electronic media from which Wharramites can gather needed information and follow builds in progress and ask questions.

There has been much discussion recently about whether we should, in fact, keep the print magazine. It has been proposed that the PCA become an on-line association, with no printed output at all. I don’t know if this is the way to go; I have heard from many members who prefer the anticipation that comes with receiving the printed magazine in the mailbox every few months.

Where we stand Right Now

As of now, issue No. 75 of “The Sea People” will be late, and will be produced as one of the following:
• A final, farewell issue
• A larger, combined issue with the spring (No. 76) issue

As you may know, the PCA website is currently in ‘hibernation’. The forum has not been active and the site has been put on hold. http://www.pca-seapeople.org.uk/PCA/index.html

We are currently relocating the management of a NEW PCA website to the US. Bill Barker has graciously volunteered to register a domain name and is building the site. Thanks Bill!

Remy has agreed to stay on as the editor of “The Sea People”.

I am currently getting the PCA registered as an official organization in the US. This will allow us to collect dues, open a bank account, etc.

PLEASE NOTE:
WE STILL ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN THE US TO VOLUNTEER AS TREASURER.

What YOU can do

Get in touch with me, Bob Bois (bbois@verizon.net) on the following:
• Are you planning to renew your membership?
• What would you like to see the PCA providing to members?
• Do you think the PCA should be exclusively an online entity, or do you still see value in getting the printed magazine?
• What can YOU do to help with the promotion and running of your association?
• Do you know any Wharram builders and/or sailors that are not yet members but may want to join a reinvigorated PCA?
• You are not a member, but now you know the PCA exists would like to join.

I will examine all responses and discuss them with those members of the existing PCA committee that wish to have input on what direction the PCA takes.

We want your opinions on what the PCA has meant to you and what you would like to see continued or changed.

The PCA has been in existence since 1967. Thousands of people have benefited from the amassed knowledge and expertise provided by the association members since its founding.

As I stated earlier, there now exist online forums that are loaded with valuable information on building and sailing Wharrams. The Polynesian Catamaran Association lays claim to being the repository of the most complete historical record (through its Magazine back issues) of the practicalities of building and sailing of Wharram catamarans. Bill Barker has offered to scan all back issues so they can be made available on line to members.

I think the importance of the PCA (and “The Sea People”) lies in its continued inspirational value for those of us still building and dreaming. If I need a question answered immediately, because I am glassing my lower hulls tomorrow, I know the website to consult. But I also need the long-term view. I want to read back issues to follow the development of the designs, to immerse myself in the stories and feel a part of a tradition, to actually meet many of the writers of these articles at sail-ins. That’s the value of the PCA for me.

I hope you find the PCA valuable in your own way. Please get in touch with me or any committee member as soon as possible.

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