“Whatever you can do or think you can begin it now for it is the moment that has magic in it” (Goethe)

“I’ll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours” (Bob Dylan)

Tabu Tabu Soro (Never surrender)

Map of Kadavu (Fiji Islands) 1889

Sailing for sustainability is an action research experiment. It is exploring the role that sailing and sailing boats can play in the sustainable village of the future. It is the result of some workshops held in the coastal village of Solodamu on the island of Kadavu, Fiji in 2006.

While the village is a leader in community conservation initiatives, there is lack of sustainable income generation.

Like many Fiji (and Pacific) villages, transport infrastructure is limited to bad roads and sea transport. The latter is a choice between small open fiberglass skiffs (fibers) with outboards or large interisland ferries. No-one uses sail power anymore.

Sailing for Sustainability seeks to learn if:

• A sailing vessel of around 15m capable of carrying 3-4 tonne of passengers and cargo is an economically viable village-based business trading around Kadavu and to the mainland, and
• Whether one can be built strongly and safely at minimal cost in the village, and
• If the cruising yachts and their crews that visit Fiji every year can provide a support base of skills, experience and access to resources to help Solodamu in this goal.