Exotic corner of history before the French Revolution you want on Westworld?

[Montegriffo]

A lot of it was island hopping. If you knew the direction of the next island in a chain you could head off and try really hard to maintain a straight course. The link also mentions using birds, you release one when you think you are near an island and follow it, if it cant find one it returns. The Vikings definitely employed this method with land based birds such as the raven.

Isn't it believe that the Polynesians used to use the stars to navigate between islands?

I guess so. You just release the bird when you think you are near but can't see it. In a tiny canoe even standing up the horizon is not far away.

[Haumana]

A lot of it was island hopping. If you knew the direction of the next island in a chain you could head off and try really hard to maintain a straight course. The link also mentions using birds, you release one when you think you are near an island and follow it, if it cant find one it returns. The Vikings definitely employed this method with land based birds such as the raven.

Isn't it believe that the Polynesians used to use the stars to navigate between islands?

I guess so. You just release the bird when you think you are near but can't see it. In a tiny canoe even standing up the horizon is not far away.

Tiny canoe is a relative statement. Some of those double-hulled canoes were monstrous. But in the context of an open sea voyage? Yeah, they were small.

[Montegriffo]

Not being very tall was my point, that's why ships had the crows nest up a tall mast, even when you didn't have sails anymore.

[Montegriffo]

Isn't it believe that the Polynesians used to use the stars to navigate between islands?

I guess so. You just release the bird when you think you are near but can't see it. In a tiny canoe even standing up the horizon is not far away.

Tiny canoe is a relative statement. Some of those double-hulled canoes were monstrous. But in the context of an open sea voyage? Yeah, they were small.

Interesting picture, fore and aft stays on the mast. I would have expected something simpler like the unsupported junk rigging on a Chinese boat.
Looks like stays rigged on those outrigger beams as well. Quite complicated boats which would have taken a lot of skill to change tack and reset the stays.

[Haumana]

Interesting picture, fore and aft stays on the mast. I would have expected something simpler like the unsupported junk rigging on a Chinese boat.
Looks like stays rigged on those outrigger beams as well. Quite complicated boats which would have taken a lot of skill to change tack and reset the stays.

You see my interest then. They weren't flailing about in some bathtub. There was a load of intelligence and communal knowledge that went into not only the crafts but the navigational means behind them. Barbaric sophistication.

[Okeefenokee]

This is the kind of craft I was taught was used. Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

[Montegriffo]

Double post due to edit

[Montegriffo]

Interesting picture, fore and aft stays on the mast. I would have expected something simpler like the unsupported junk rigging on a Chinese boat.
Looks like stays rigged on those outrigger beams as well. Quite complicated boats which would have taken a lot of skill to change tack and reset the stays.

You see my interest then. They weren't flailing about in some bathtub. There was a load of intelligence and communal knowledge that went into not only the crafts but the navigational means behind them. Barbaric sophistication.

Oh don't get me wrong. Plenty of respect for Polynesian sailors. Just hadn't realised just how complicated those canoes were. I've done a bit of offshore sailing, skipper was an ex Lancaster navigator who sailed by dead reckoning and used the GPS to confirm his position rather than the other way round.
Every time you change course or the wind sheers you would have to take off those stays to allow the sail to move round the mast. That's some tricky shit in a rough sea with the possibility of the mast crashing down if you get it wrong.

[Haumana]

You see my interest then. They weren't flailing about in some bathtub. There was a load of intelligence and communal knowledge that went into not only the crafts but the navigational means behind them. Barbaric sophistication.

Oh don't get me wrong. Plenty of respect for Polynesian sailors. Just hadn't realised just how complicated those canoes were. I've done a bit of offshore sailing, skipper was an ex Lancaster navigator who sailed by dead reckoning and used the GPS to confirm his position rather than the other way round.[/quote]

Oh, I wasn't. I didn't realize either until I saw that wave map and then started poking into the subject. I knew that they were quite the navigators but like any true skill once you start diving into it it suddenly takes on a whole new meaning and depth.

[Montegriffo]

This is the kind of craft I was taught was used. Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

Not for long voyages, neighbouring islands yes.