The Mistery of Guaras and the Leeway-25 Mission

Previously, we explored the history of pre-Columbian rafts and their surprising sailing abilities. Now, we’re diving into their key feature: guaras - wooden planks used for steering. Despite the lack of a keel, these rafts could navigate even strong winds using this technique. While past expeditions proved they could sail, no detailed documentation exists on how guaras worked. That’s our mission with Leeway-25 - to create the most comprehensive record of this ancient steering method.

But hear the whole story form Leon!

Introduction and History of pre-Columbian rafts

In 2022, we built and sailed a pre-Columbian wooden raft across the Gulf of Bothnia, discovering its surprising maneuverability. Little is known about these ancient vessels, first described in 18th-century Spanish writings and compared to European ships. Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki expedition also explored their capabilities but left questions unanswered. Inspired by history and adventure, we set out to learn more. Our journey is documented in the short film Leeway-22 on YouTube (in German).

But hear the whole story from Noe!