"The natives are very ingenious beyond any people in making boats...and therein they take great delight...I do believe they sail the best of any boats in the world. I did here for my own satisfaction try the swiftness of one of them...I do believe she would have run 24 mile an hour. It was very pleasant to see the little boat running along so swift by the other's side..." — William Dampier, 1686

Build

The Canoes

500 Sails canoes are accurate replicas of Chamorro sailing canoes based on the historic record. 500 Sail's fleet currently consists of the 47-foot Sakman Chelu completed in San Diego in 2010, 41-foot Chamorro Sakman Ladahao (aka Roberta L)) built in 1969 in Chicago, four 26-foot Leklek Neni, Richard Seman, Anaguan, and Aunty Oba, and two Duduli Dee Dee, and Ånimuyi built by 500 Sails staff and volunteers. Canoes under construction in the boatyard include a 41-foot Sakman I Marianas, another Duduli, two galaide (paddling canoes), and a 20-foot Carolinian canoe.

Boat Night

Want to learn canoe building? Boat Night is coming soon. Look for the announcment of the Boat Night schedule here, or send your contact information to us at info@500sails.org and we will notify you when the Boat Night schedule comes out.