Hi folks,
I've been contemplating the purchase of an OC-1. I've never even seen one it person, but I'm pretty certain it's where I want to go. I've got a good bit of experience in "normal" OC-1s such as the Savage River Otegan, Wenonah Advantage, etc. I've been paddling a Greenland style kayak for the last 16 months or so.
The boat will see most of it's use in Chattanooga, TN, on the Tennessee river (I usually get in about 8 miles before work in the mornings). The water is usually calm, but we do get some nice chop in certain places on windy days (enough to hit me in the face when I'm in the kayak). I'll also take it to the east coast maybe once or twice a year, so I want a boat I can take off shore in at least moderate east coast conditions.
I'm used to fairly unstable boats, and I know I want something that will move right along at a nice clip.
So, given my location, previous experience (or lack of it), and given my size (6' tall, about 180 lbs), what boat would you folks recommend? I have no idea as to what's hot and what's not. I also don't know anything about the logistics of getting a boat from Hawaii to here.
Thanks for the help!
Submitted by twheeler on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 2:56am
try looking in the archives, or do a search of this site. there are bunch of threads on here. most of them discuss the different hulls avaliable and paddler size in relation to them.
#1 Thu, 05/26/2005 - 5:59am
Naturally, you'll be looking for a boat that you can run in the flats if most of your paddling is going to be on a river. The Kaku Elua comes immediately to mind. The Elua, of course, can also take care of you offshore even if it's not popularly considered a surfing specialist.
A better question, though, and one I'd like to hear others' opinions about, is canoe availability. I mean, buying a new canoe is practically impossible at this stage in the sport's evolution.
When I hear people looking for canoes in non-traditional regions (like Germany, or Tennessee), I'm thinking: this sport's GROWING. But if anything, canoe manufacturing seems to be shrinking. The result is big frustration for the consumer.
On the one hand, the manufacturers are coming out with tantalizing designs that you just crave. On the other hand, the best you can hope for in most cases is to plop down a hefty deposit and wait at least six months.
Maybe if they can be assured of sustained demand for their boats, the manufacturers would assume the big financial risks of tooling up to meet that demand.
#2 Thu, 05/26/2005 - 6:19am
Okay - thanks for the input so far. I'll do a search on the forum, but folks I'm new to this whole venue of paddle sports - any tip on exactly what to search for?
Also, in browsing the web, I've found three or four folks that do offer boats that I could conceivably have shipped here. The ones I've spotted so far are Futura, Huki, Wenonah (just one model), and Savage River (again, just one model). How are these boats? Do they even hold a candle to the boats being built in Hawii?
#3 Thu, 05/26/2005 - 7:19am
Futura and Huki both still build boats mostly to order, although I don't know what their backlog/inventory is. By all means, give 'em a call.
Wenonah is going to be or was a distributor for Outrigger Connection's proven Stingray canoe, formerly produced for mainland buyers in Canada. But Stingray production was halted and there is no mainland production any more. Rumors abound that there will be again, but for now: nothing.
I don't know anyone who's ever paddled (or even seen) a Savage River canoe.
In Hawai'i and California, the boats people covet are generally made (in no particular order) by
Maui Fiberglass,
Outrigger Connection,
Kai Wa'a,
Huki,
Wilder Canoes,
Tiger Canoes,
Kaku, and
Hawaiian Designs by John Martin.
Anyway, their websites are mostly all available for the googling. If you wanna just talk to a retailer, try Chris O'Keiffe with Ocean Ohana (858) 270-8922.
#4 Thu, 05/26/2005 - 7:48am
[quote]So, given my location, previous experience (or lack of it), and given my size (6' tall, about 180 lbs), what boat would you folks recommend? I have no idea as to what's hot and what's not. I also don't know anything about the logistics of getting a boat from Hawaii to here. [/quote]
Why paddle an OC-1? If you are comfortable in a tippy, fast boat, why not get a Huki S1-X or S1-R surf ski? Way more fun and faster than an OC-1.
#5 Thu, 05/26/2005 - 9:25am