Sailau Expedition

Hex is a large sailau, one of the largest in the Louisiades. Juda had Hex on Paneatiu by a master canoe builder over a number of years. Juda continues to make traditional payments of cash and goods (bagi, shell necklaces, stones axes, pigs etc.) for the boat.

Hex won the 2010 Panapompom canoe regatta just after it had been launched. For its 2011 adventure trip with dimdims (Australian tourists) it was freshly painted and the running rigging had a modest refit. However, Hex is not normally a tourist boat. It is run by the young but highly competent skipper, Randal Sauni. Randal takes Hex throughout the Louisiades on trading voyages on behalf of Juda. When not being used for trading trips, Randal and the crew may take Hex fishing and take the fish to the Bwagoia market.

Hex is not the only large sailau in the Louisiades and many others are keen to take dimdim tourists around the islands!