Qala Yampu: The Lake Titicaca Reed Boat Project

Always remember that everything was accomplished using completely natural and ancient means, only using people, ropes, posts, and some natural lubricant of some sort (water, fish or vegetable oil, algae).

To start the process we built a sled of 2 trees with smaller logs connected vertically, like a railroad track. This sled was placed under the boat between the scaffold and then tied to the boat to remain stationary. Then the scaffold was torn away so that the boat only rest on the sled.

Next, more logs were placed in front of the boat, not like rollers but like a track for the boat and sled to slide upon. We then connected ropes to various parts of the boat, front, side and back, to pull and control the descent of the boat down the hill towards the water. Other posts were used as levers to push the boat at the same time we pulled.

Since the boat sat parallel to the lake shore, we had to move it forward some as we turned it towards the path between the buildings. It took about 70 people pulling and pushing to really move the boat. Once we got it completely turned, facing downhill, we became a little concerned about actually controlling the descent as we felt like it would move on its own once we got it started. To control this we planted several thick posts behind the boat at different angles and wrapped several ropes.

Once the boat went over logs that we had put down as a track, we would pick them up and place them in front of the boat again, continuing the process until the boat was in the water. The sled tied to the bottom of the boat served its purpose well. Foremost it protected the totora hull of the boat. Secondly, it reduced the surface area required for dragging.

It took about 4 hours to get the boat in the water. Once in the water, the boat only drafted about 15 inches. This 47 foot long, 15 foot wide, 6 foot high, 12 ton boat of totora reeds only required 15 inches of water to float!

				*Click the thumbnail below to see the larger photo!*
	Always remember that everything was accomplished using completely natural and ancient means, only using people, ropes, posts, and some natural lubricant of some sort (water, fish or vegetable oil, algae). To start the process we built a sled of 2 trees with smaller logs connected vertically, like a railroad track. This sled was placed under the boat between the scaffold and then tied to the boat to remain stationary. Then the scaffold was torn away so that the boat only rest on the sled. Next, more logs were placed in front of the boat, not like rollers but like a track for the boat and sled to slide upon. We then connected ropes to various parts of the boat, front, side and back, to pull and control the descent of the boat down the hill towards the water. Other posts were used as levers to push the boat at the same time we pulled. Since the boat sat parallel to the lake shore, we had to move it forward some as we turned it towards the path between the buildings. It took about 70 people pulling and pushing to really move the boat. Once we got it completely turned, facing downhill, we became a little concerned about actually controlling the descent as we felt like it would move on its own once we got it started. To control this we planted several thick posts behind the boat at different angles and wrapped several ropes. Once the boat went over logs that we had put down as a track, we would pick them up and place them in front of the boat again, continuing the process until the boat was in the water. The sled tied to the bottom of the boat served its purpose well. Foremost it protected the totora hull of the boat. Secondly, it reduced the surface area required for dragging. It took about 4 hours to get the boat in the water. Once in the water, the boat only drafted about 15 inches. This 47 foot long, 15 foot wide, 6 foot high, 12 ton boat of totora reeds only required 15 inches of water to float!			*Boat Launch 1* The boat has been turned and ready to go down hill. ________ *Boat Launch 2* The boat gained momentum and took out an adobe wall. ________ *Boat Launch 3* More than 70 people took almost 4 hours to put the boat in the water. ________ *Boat Launch 4* Drafting an unbelievable 15 inches, our 12 ton boat in water could be moved by one person.