Panga (skiff)

Last updated

The panga is a type of modest-sized, open, outboard-powered, fishing boat common throughout much of the developing world, including Central America, the Caribbean, parts of Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia. The original panga design was developed by Yamaha as part of a World Bank project circa 1970. [1] [2] [3] Pangas are commonly operated directly off beaches. [4] The name comes from the panga fish, which is commonly netted. The upswept bow of the boat resembles the machete or knife called a panga.

Photo of pangas at Tiburon Island by Steve Marlett. Hast Cacola desde Socaaix con pangas.jpg
Photo of pangas at Tiburón Island by Steve Marlett.
Photo of pangas at La Antigua River, Mexico, by Philo Nordlund. Mexican fishing boats.jpg
Photo of pangas at La Antigua River, Mexico, by Philo Nordlund.
Photo of a panga in the Comoros Islands by M. Wanasimba. Fishermen at Moya beach.jpg
Photo of a panga in the Comoros Islands by M. Wanasimba.

Key features of the panga design are a high bow, narrow waterline beam, a delta shaped running surface, [5] and a flotation bulge along the gunwale, or top edge of the hull. The high bow provides buoyancy for retrieving heavy nets, and minimizes spray coming over the bow. The narrow beam allows the hull to be propelled by a modest outboard motor. The flotation bulge along the gunwale provides increased stability at high angles of roll. These features link the panga design to traditional Japanese wasen fishing boats.[ citation needed ]

The original Yamaha panga design had a length of 22 feet (6.7 m), and a waterline beam of approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.7 m). The flotation bulge at the gunwale increased the overall beam to approximately 6 feet 6 inches (2.0 m).[ citation needed ]

Pangas are usually between 19 and 28 feet (5.8 and 8.5 m) in length, with capacities ranging from 1 to 5 short tons (0.89 to 4.46 long tons ; 0.91 to 4.54  t ) and powered by outboard motors of between 45 and 200 hp (34 and 149 kW). Their planing hulls are capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h).[ citation needed ]

The hulls are made of fiberglass or fibre-reinforced plastic, heavily reinforced by numerous bulkheads, and usually have bow and stern enclosed flotation compartments.[ citation needed ]

They are considered extremely seaworthy in the hands of an experienced operator.

Variations

Various boat manufacturers have created designs either based on or inspired by the original panga design, some with more modern amenities than the original panga skiff. [6] [7]

Related Research Articles

Hull (watercraft) Watertight buoyant body of a ship or boat

A hull is the watertight body of a ship, boat, or flying boat. The hull may open at the top, or it may be fully or partially covered with a deck. Atop the deck may be a deckhouse and other superstructures, such as a funnel, derrick, or mast. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.

Kayak Light boat that is paddled

A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is typically propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic word qajaq.

Outboard motor Self-contained propulsion system for boats

An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom. They are the most common motorised method of propelling small watercraft. As well as providing propulsion, outboards provide steering control, as they are designed to pivot over their mountings and thus control the direction of thrust. The skeg also acts as a rudder when the engine is not running. Unlike inboard motors, outboard motors can be easily removed for storage or repairs.

Dory Type of boat

A dory is a small, shallow-draft boat, about 5 to 7 metres or 16 to 23 feet long. It is usually a lightweight boat with high sides, a flat bottom and sharp bows. It is easy to build because of its simple lines. For centuries, the dory has been used as a traditional fishing boat, both in coastal waters and in the open sea.

Boat building Design and construction of floating vessels

Boat building is the design and construction of boats and their systems. This includes at a minimum a hull, with propulsion, mechanical, navigation, safety and other systems as a craft requires.

Boating Leisure activity involving boats

Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels, focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or waterskiing. It is a popular activity, and there are millions of boaters worldwide.

Rowing Act of propelling a boat using the motion of oars in the water

Rowing is the act of propelling a boat using the motion of oars in the water by displacing water to propel the boat forward. Rowing and paddling are similar. However, rowing requires oars to have a mechanical connection with the boat, while paddles are hand-held and have no mechanical connection.

A skiff is any of a variety of essentially unrelated styles of small boats. Traditionally, these are coastal craft or river craft used for leisure, as a utility craft, and for fishing, and have a one-person or small crew. Sailing skiffs have developed into high performance competitive classes. Many of today's skiff classes are based in Australia and New Zealand in the form of 12 ft (3.66 m), 13 ft (3.96 m), 16 ft (4.88 m) and 18 ft (5.49 m) skiffs. The 29er, 49er, SKUD and Musto Skiff are all considered to have developed from the skiff concept, all of which are sailed internationally.

18ft Skiff

The 18 ft Skiff is considered the fastest class of sailing skiffs. The class has a long history beginning with races on Sydney Harbour, Australia in 1892 and later in New Zealand. The boat has changed significantly since the early days, bringing in new technology as it became available. Because of the need of strength, agility and skill, the class is considered to be the top level of small boat sailing. Worldwide this boat is called the "18 Foot Skiff". It is the fastest conventional non-foiling monohull on the yardstick rating, with a score of 675, coming only third after the Tornado and Inter 20.

Moth (dinghy) Small development class sailing dinghy

The Moth is a small development class of sailing dinghy. Originally a small, fast home-built sailing boat designed to plane, since 2000 it has become an expensive and largely commercially-produced boat designed to hydroplane on foils though many are still built at home, typically at much lower cost.

Whaleback Type of cargo steamship

A whaleback was a type of cargo steamship of unusual design, with a hull that continuously curved above the waterline from vertical to horizontal. When fully loaded, only the rounded portion of the hull could be seen above the waterline. With sides curved in towards the ends, it had a spoon bow and a very convex upper deck. It was formerly used on the Great Lakes of Canada and the United States, notably for carrying grain or ore. The sole surviving ship of the "whaleback" design is the SS Meteor, which is docked in Superior, Wisconsin as a museum ship.

Bass boat Motor powered boat

A bass boat is a small boat that is designed and equipped primarily for bass fishing or fishing for other panfish, usually in freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers and wetlands. The modern bass boats are motorboats that feature a flat front deck, swivel chairs that permit the angler to cast to any direction around the boat, storage bins for fishing tackles and equipment such as rods, reels and lures, and a live well with recirculating water where caught fish may be stored and kept alive.

Stem (ship) The vertical continuation of the keel at the front of a boat

The stem is the most forward part of a boat or ship's bow and is an extension of the keel itself. It is often found on wooden boats or ships, but not exclusively.

Flats boat

Flats boats are a category of boat designed primarily for fishing in protected, shallow water areas often referred to as "flats" by anglers.

The Dovekie 21, often called just the Dovekie, is an American sailing dinghy, named for the sea bird. It was designed by Phil Bolger as a cruiser and first built in 1978.

The Allegra 24 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Fred Bingham and Lou Nagy and based upon the work of Fred Bingham's son, Bruce Bingham. The boat is intended as a cruiser and was first built in 1984.

The Golif 21, or just Golif, is a French trailerable sailboat that was designed by P. Jouët & Cie as a pocket cruiser. It was named for the fictional pirate, Louis Le Golif and first built in 1961.

The Mirage 5.5 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Ken Fickett as an International Offshore Rule Mini Ton class racer and first built in 1975.

The Westwind 24, also called the Paceship P 24, is a Canadian trailerable sailboat that was designed by Ted Hood as a cruiser and first built in 1966.

The Picnic 17 is an American trailerable boat that was designed by Nils Lucander as a sailboat/powerboat cruiser hybrid and first built in 1959.

References

  1. Panga history at Allmand Boats. Retrieved from http://allmandboats.blogspot.com/.
  2. Panga history at Microskiff. Retrieved from http://www.microskiff.com/reviews/boats/PangaMarine_18_skiff.html.
  3. Panga article at Soundings Online. Retrieved from http://www.soundingsonline.com/features/type-of-boat/178-the-versatile-panga-is-coming-of-age-.
  4. Video of a panga landing on a beach in Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNW0n9PlKGc
  5. "The benefits of cruising in a Panga". Charlotte County Florida Weekly. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  6. "Sarasota Boat builder aims to ride big growth wave | Business Observer". Business Observer. 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  7. "Angler 22 Panga". Florida Sportsman. 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2020-06-06.