The above photo is of Mike Hadfield's 18ft aluminium tacking outrigger. Mike is from the Nelligen area on the South Coast of NSW, Australia. At midpoint this boat has a cross section shape of an equilateral triangle. The rig for this craft is taken from a sailboard

My understanding is that the idea for this craft was something that would enable Mike to cruise the coast, and yet be light enough to beach single handed. Mike did all the development work for his craft without the assistance of the internet or or books. In later 2009 I posted Mike my copy of Gary Deirking's book on Outrigger Sailing Canoes, from which I understand he appreciated. Many thanks to Ian Smith (of project windrigger) for taking these photos.

Mike has also built a larger 21ft tacking outrigger, a craft with which he cruised the remote Cape York Peninsula in far northern Queensland. In this larger craft Mike employed the useful idea of adding water ballast to the outrigger in the form of 5L water containers lashed to the top of the outrigger. I have to say that this is a most simple system and does away with all the complication of inlet and outlet valves. Additionally having a supply of drinking water is always a prudent thing on a cruising boat. Although I do not have any photos of this craft, my understanding is that the hull was made from an Australian Sharpie