Used for over 3,000 years by Andean civilizations, totora balsas are rafts made of dried reeds — simple, sturdy, and deeply rooted in the history of the South American continent.
The boat was designed and built in May and June 2025 with the Esteban family — traditional balsa builders.
- 2 totora hulls, forming a 6m x 2.5m catamaran (6m in height).
- Propelled by oars and sail.
- Low carbon footprint (<10 kg CO₂eq).
- Transportable by truck.
- 6.5hp "peke-peke" motor for emergencies.
A complete documentation of the balsa construction is available on the Low Tech Lab website.