leeway 25 raft expedition leeway 25 raft expedition
PROJECT
THE LEEWAY 25 EXPEDITION
What We Aim to Achieve
The Leeway-25 Expedition is a bold attempt to sail a pre-Columbian-style raft across the challenging North Atlantic, from Norway to Greenland via Iceland. Our mission is twofold:
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Document and Explain Guara-Steering: We aim to provide the first thorough description of this ancient steering technique on rafts.
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Prove Sailing Capabilities: We hope to demonstrate that these rafts weren’t just seaworthy but had advanced sailing abilities comparable to European ships of the 18th century.
How We Will Do It - Building the Raft
The raft design is based on a combination of historical records, lessons from earlier expeditions, and modern testing. Our plans have been shaped by:
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Written accounts of pre-Columbian rafts.
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A successful trial voyage between Sweden and Finland using a smaller life-sized version.
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Rigorous testing, including a 1:3 scale model.
Construction begins in March 2025, using wood that has been drying for over a year. While some modern materials (like the shelter, sail, and ropes) will be used for safety and practicality, the core structure will stay true to historical principles.
Navigating the Raft
At the heart of the expedition is the guara-steering technique, which uses long centerboards to control direction. This method allows the raft to perform complex sailing maneuvers, even sailing closer to the wind than previously thought possible. We will document every aspect of this steering process to finally explain how it works in practice.
Beyond History: Supporting Environmental Research
Beyond exploring the historical guara-steering technique, the Leeway-25 Expedition may hold significant potential for modern environmental research. As an emission-free vessel (one diesel heater on board which has no effect on water quality) that traverses vast stretches of the North Atlantic—an area barely travelled—the raft offers a unique platform for environmental studies. Its slow, steady and silent movement allows for the deployment of instruments to gather critical data on the ocean’s current state without impacting water quality.
Committed to supporting sustainability and environmental science, we aim to contribute to the health of our planet by making the raft available for ongoing research and equipment that can generate valuable insights. To realize this vision, we are actively working to establish the necessary connections and lay the groundwork to bring this initiative to life!