THE HAKA BENCH SEAT - AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRAMPS

As per life, doing my hakas has taken more time than planned. Thanks NOHUHU for the thread, it's been a brilliant source of ideas and inspiration.

Initially I was drawn to go down a traditional path - bamboo. If I remember correctly TonyScott looked at it but could only find split and sorry specimens. A bit further South there's some better bamboo, but where I had presumed that it would be a light weight material, in fact it weighed around the same weight as as the milled timber. So that wasn't going to be satisfactory.

I was also influenced by stringy seats (not by his metal work default) and for my use the ability to camp on board is a must have option. I don't know about anyone else but getting a 'comfortable' bed seems to be getting harder; the swags, self inflates and cots just don't cut it anymore. But in the end stringy's good looking seats (for his TI) just didn't seem to fit the bill for me on the AI.

So, this AI camper is going to construct a tramp/bed in the style of the historical rope beds, but instead of the 1 foot spacing, it will be 50-60mm (approx 2 1/2") squares and of course won't have legs dragging in the water. As mentioned bed comfort is a priority, and so is the ability for simple detachment for shore duty when required. I'll knock up a proto type with some pine studs that are on hand and size it around 2.0m (7' 6") by 0.6m (2'), with a wooden seat/platform on the amas side.

well that's the plan, and if I'm found sleeping on the job it will be in the name of research. Also any thoughts or suggestions from the old 'haka' hands are welcome, particularly if they short cut to a better outcome

TBC

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Cheers

Jeff
AI (2016)

Just came from the watertribe race start and found an interesting new Hobie prototype that everybody has been asking about ... Hobie Hakas. Here's a picture of the Hobie Haka prototype that's currently being developed and deployed on Jim C's (Penguinman) boat. Jim is the lead engineer for the island series of boats at Hobie. Material is the same as what the trampolines use. I was impressed as it felt fairly comfortable to sit on. Jim

If you look at page 82 of this thread you'll see the post on my bamboo construction for hakas. I bought the bamboo online - there seemed to be many vendors - and a year plus later they still look like new and seem to be holding up fine.

Just sayin'.

I like the Hobie prototype but I hope they make it in black. Hopefully they pivot as you fold the amas in.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Thanks for that spy pic Jim.
I’ve never understood why Hobie were so late to the haka party, but I’m glad they’re finally considering them.
It will be interesting to see the final product. That prototype looks very much like one posted by someone here years ago using old masts I think?
I hope the TI version is longer. It needs to cantilever beyond the rear aka to about the rear drivewell for the best boat balance when solo.

Maybe this is their lightweight racing haka prototype I just checked the tracking map and he's doing well in the race.

https://youtu.be/cXi_kPTvUUw


These have been on for 2 years. They are a no maintenance and very strong. I never have to take them off.

Sorry bets-y I must have gotten my post themes mixed up with the 'expedition' and didn't read after the 72 post. There is very clearly a bamboo Haka on page 82, thanks for pointing it out. I not only get to check out your bamboo Haka but have a few more pages of reading

I like what you've done and the look of bamboo is quiet attractive. I was going to do a similar sort of approach having also done the bamboo tying etc youtubes But my intention was to cover about another third of the armas (one of the purposes was use as a bed base) and I was going to experiment with a variety of rope thicknesses and cinching. Also I wasn't going to have bracing as transportation was a consideration so it was going to be rolled up like the grass mat it is, and put it inside the car.

As mentioned I've based my Haka on the traditional rope beds (more youtubes) and I'm glad I've gone down that path as it is a great fit for my purposes.

Perhaps I might be the only one to have done it this way but I think I need to do some more reading before I can say that

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Cheers

Jeff
AI (2016)

Jeff, the idea of being able to roll up the haka is intriguing. I'd be interested to see photos if you make these. I can stow mine on my trailer under the boat, since my trailer is a home-made conversion of a yard trailer. I love my hakas, and plan to try them out on a couple of camping adventures this summer. Good luck!

Betsy

Doing a 230 mile challenge with my TI this month and realized I needed hakas. Thought about building from wood, but Pelican's boat at the EC showed me a really interesting alternative that I could assemble for about $25 and almost no time. Pelican was using wire shelving for his hakas and they looked great. I admit they probably aren't up to hiking out, but since I never do that anyway I don't care. They will be great for lashing a big drybag however.

Here are mine.





I was afraid of the ends snagging and tearing an expensive gore-tex drysuit or the flesh on my legs, so I zip-tied pool noodle fenders on the ends.

The 6' shelves were $9.00 each and they are secured by four bungie loops on each corner.

I won't use them but for multi-day trips, but they appear to be a good solution. Will report after I get a few miles on them.

Hi Bedmond,
If you see this post,
Can you please share where you purchase your black spine board. I like black for my yellow island and the length looks perfect.

First of all, thanks to everyone who has shared info on this topic! I've found it very helpful and inspiring. I'd like to share my experience with hakas/benches. My first attempt worked well but was too heavy/overbuilt.



Back to the drawing board I halved the weight and added a quarterdeck.



I also engineered a camping setup.





For more pictures/info go here: http://richard.rathe.org/2019/sailing-kayak-hakas-camping

Cheers!

Very creative, Foreverglades.

Where do you sail out of? And, where do you sail to in the Everglades?

While I love hakas, I seldom use mine. I find they slow my boat.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Very nice work Rich. I like what you did with rear deck and alum brace.

"Less is more" according to Keith. Yes, you could use less wood still, I think. I understand why you raised them though - for camp use that makes real sense.

Nice blog too.

Welcome to the club!

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The Wind Is Your Friend... Friends Can Be Fickle

Good Day All

Built my Hakas today and pleased with how they turned out. Thanks to all the Haka pioneers on this thread for ideas and inspiration.

Base is Yutrax TX195 Utility Ramp (17lbs for the pair) with 3/8 Azec PVC panel attached with aluminum large head rivets. Haven't decided on the final surface yet, but cut and glued rubber/carpet outdoor mats for now. May swap this out for seadek or eva boat decking eventually.

Total cost was not bad.

$64 Ramps on sale at Cabelas
$0 Azec panel was a freebie I was given years ago
$14 Rivets 50 3/16 aluminum large dome head from amazon
$10 Gorilla glue spray adhesive -- will see how this holds up to saltwater
$15 5 rubber/carpet masts for $2.97 each

Will give these a good workout in the FL Keys in a few weeks.