Hi Everyone, I am still trying to decide which OC1 to get. I have demo'd all the Hukis (way too much volume for me), Hurricane (OK size), Pegasus (liked the fit). I am not a good enough paddler yet to determine which one will be best out on the water. Some people suggested the Nai'a Iki, and I have a lead on a used one.
Here is my dilemma, every post I read, and everyone I have spoken to says the Hurricane is the fastest in the flats. I am competitive, even just with myself, and I know I want the fastest boat for my size. All of my paddling will be from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Racing in the winter series of So. Cal. I paddle between Newport Harbor and Dana Point daily. I have no car shuttle so if I head down the coast I must come back into the wind. Doing the coastal run I get a lot of cross wind and side swell (swells coming into shore as I am running down the coast).
Are the waters off of Southern California considered flat water where the Hurricane would excel?
What would be the advantage of getting a Nai'a Iki if the Hurricane is faster in the flats?
I am 5'7" 110 lbs, paddle nearly everyday either on a OC2 or a SUP. Started paddling this past May.
Cheers, Jill
Submitted by jillv64 on Sat, 12/11/2010 - 5:42pm
Your advantage would be going back upwind. However, since there is wind, you should also have the advantage downwind. See the following photo of the Iki in action, and toggle forward and backwards to compare various other makes and models of canoes performing in the '08 Molokai Channel Relay Race: http://www.hckt.org/OtherWebs/2008_Apr27_SteinlagerKaiwiRace/pages/IMG_0...
#1 Sat, 12/11/2010 - 10:19pm
"Are the waters off of Southern California considered flat water"
This is all relative. In paddling terms, compared to lets say San Francisco, yes, we don't get the sustained winds like up north. If you search the website you will find much of the same concensus comparing boats, there have been "at least" 4 threads comparing pegasus to a hurricane: more like 50 haha
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/1206
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/4132
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/3280
More importantly, introduce yourself to Rambo. He paddled a hurricane for quite sometime and made the jump to a pegasus for certain reasons, but has a lot of seat time on both boats so can offer you better advice than I can. His two posts listed below should suit you well.
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2007/07/why-im-changing-over-to-pegasu...
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/search?q=pegasus
I do own a hurricane and paddle in socal, and chose it over a peggy, but there are things about each that are tradeoffs. Biggest thing, peggy made more for surfing, hurricane for flatter.
#2 Sun, 12/12/2010 - 6:18am
For your weight and location a Hurricane is a good choice and proven performer for over 7 years, same basic hull.
Important that you try paddle as many different boats as you can, even the larger ones so you can judge the difference and know the difference between a full on surfing canoe (usually hi volume) and general all rounder. Comfort is important, take the demo for at least 1hr of continuous paddling. Think about how often you are likely to paddle/ race in downwind conditions, this will affect greatly your choice of canoe if you are competitive.
R
#3 Sun, 12/12/2010 - 10:26am
Jill,
Take a look in San Diego Craigslist. Pegasus for sale.
#4 Mon, 12/13/2010 - 12:14pm
Thanks Konadog. However, after some much thought I am now leaning a little more towards the Hurricane. I loved the way the Pegasus felt, everything seemed perfect size. However, I was not able to take it out on a long paddle or into the open ocean. Reading all the reviews and suggestions, maybe the Hurricane is best. I think what I did not initially like on Hurricane was that it was very hard to steer because my toes just barely reached the pedals.
Some more thought. Jill
#5 Mon, 12/13/2010 - 3:13pm