This past winter we were lucky enough to enjoy our 2nd season cruising the San Blas Islands of Panama. It's home to the Kuna Indians who live mostly on small islands just off the mainland, on the Caribbean side the country.
The outer reef north of Chicheme, Kuna Yala (San Blas)
We found them to be lovely people. Last year, we brought some some gifts of fishing gear, mostly packages of hooks and mono filament line. Not much, but it will help the the men supply food for their families.
(above 2 photos from 'www.goodplanet.org' , Yan Arthus-Bertrand)
This year, I'm making some sails for their ulu's(canoes). It was evident that they had a nearly a non existent supply of decent cloth to make their own. Hand sewing pieces of old sails donated by other cruisers, or bed sheets, political posters, food sacks etc. was their method of production.
Sail production was really a hodge-podge of materials that could catch the wind.
Before leaving the islands in April, I took many photos of ulus sailing by our boat in various anchorages,
I then asked a Kuna friend, Justino of the Robeson island group, to take me around to his islands and help me measure an assortment of the sails they were now using.
Using the photos and measurements and discussions with Justino, we came up with 3 basic sizes used. The middle size was by far the most common, then a few bigger ones for larger ulus. The small ones would not be a part of my efforts this year, but wishing to include them if I can get this project beyond 'good thoughts'.
My plan is multifaceted, hoping first to get the Ulu's in the Robeson group of the San Blas Islands, some decent sails. It's like putting a decent engine in their daily transportation-making their travels better, safer and more reliable.
After that, if I can gather support, possibly the materials- donated sail cloth, thread and hand crank sewing machines(I already bought a great old time Singer in perfect condition and opting for a hand crank after market add on) could be delivered to the Kuna's to develop their own micro business.
For now, it's up to me and a small group of good folks, helping out at various stages.
So far, I have been able to procure 167 yards of 4.18 oz. Challenger sail cloth through the assist of Keith, owner of Advanced Sails, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Keith has been a great help and supporter of my endeavor.
My old Riccar (Japanese version of a Singer-vintage early 50's-shown above) was tuned up by a local shop for a C note, but now seems too weak for the job so just drove back to St. Pete from Pensacola, 900 miles round trip) to pick up my Sailrite LSZ-1 Industrial machine-shown below.
A friend's (Joan) garage in Gulf Breeze, Fl. is our sail loft.
Joan shown above with Venancio, a master mola maker wth buckets of incredibly well made Molas, had been a guest of ours 2 years ago in the San Blas, so knew first hand of the sailing ulu's.
So here in December just before Christmas and now well into January, we are producing the first bunch of sails to 'deliver' south. We're doing fine; progress has been slower than originally imagined but in a week, we should be done with the physical part of the manufacturing process. Then comes the shipping/delivery disbursement part.
Lady, our toy rat terrier is miffed, that she has not received full attention but has instead been put on guard duty.
Much of the work has been on the concrete floor, cutting out patterns to be sewn together later. Dorothy came in to help too. I never imagined how long this would take, but boy the hours are flying by! :)
So far, we have cut out 23 mid sized 'sprit' main sails plus 7 larger sails and (8) jibs for the larger ulus.
Photo below of Jib pattern. It's small but what they use.
I'm pushing to meet a self imposed deadline but still have to find a way to get these sails to the San Blas Islands pf Panama and then,,,,, to the people of the Robeson group. We just might fly down ourselves and find a way out to their islands. This part might cost as much as the production of the sails but is integral to the project. No sense making them if i can't deliver them!
