> The Polynesian settlement of the archipelago is pretty hard core too. Long range long duration ocean voyages with canoes and star navigation.
They weren't using canoes. You need something that won't capsize. They used catamarans.
They weren't using canoes. You need something that won't capsize. They used catamarans.
I initially noted that the Polynesians who settled Hawaii didn't have outriggers, and that was wrong - they did have single outriggers. They maintained heavy use of catamarans.
The technological progression goes:
raft -> catamaran ("This raft would be more stable with a canoe at either end") -> single outrigger ("I don't need the passenger space of the raft or the second canoe, but I still need the stability, so the second canoe will just be a log") -> double outrigger ("I like being lightweight with no passenger space, but I wish I could turn in both directions")