stingray or huki

Aloha T-2-P,
Paddle both kanus, in varying conditions and use your okole to decide.
If you don't paddle the kanu first, you are buying blind.

Good luck.

#1 Tue, 05/31/2005 - 1:17am

1968, I'd be real careful about commenting on builders decsions without some of the facts.

I agree with you somewhat w.r.t quality. during intial startup phase there were some pretty poorly made Stingray canoes from Canada mostly some seaming issues and smal blems.. but the decsion to move production back to Minny was based on the fact that Current Designs kayaks ( some of the BEST built in the business) were also made in that factory and the decsion was to consolidate for production efficiency and control - not for quality)
this decsion displaced 50+ dedicated employees and craftspeople..

I don;t even think they have started making Stingray's yet at the new location...

The OC Mirage continues to be made in Victoria BC cuz Wennonah doesn't have the facilties to do it. ( they're contracted out to a yacht mfg in Canada) All North American Mirages are ordered thru the US , shipped from Canada.. weird, but it seems to work.. :lol:

#3 Tue, 05/31/2005 - 7:22am

Openocean,

I was only repeating what the president of Wennonah canoes told me.
I got a late made Stingray after 6 months of waiting (supposed to be 6 weeks). Was told that three different canoes were made for me and each one failed QC. When I finally got my Stingray, it leaked, it had seam issues on the hull and the ama, soft spots/ voids, a pedal came off during a race, and the rudder cable broke during a practice. All within eight months. I was promised a new boat and was told numerous times that it was being made in Minnasota, but then they just couldn't get it right. Currently awaiting refund.
I know that they were consolidating, but was told in no uncertain terms that Stingray production was being moved due to QC. They have stopped producing them altogether for now.

I know this wass a little off topic, but back to topic...
If you buy a Canadian made Stingray, make sure the seams are watertight. I know they made some good ones, but I have seen first hand several bad ones. The stingray as a boat/design is AWESOME. I wish I could get a Karel made one. Surfs better than anything I have been on.

#5 Tue, 05/31/2005 - 9:17am

I'm about 6' tall 210 lbs and I've paddled both Huki V1Z & Stingray. To me they were two different canoes.
The Huki was great on flat water, almost as fast as the Ellua for me. In the swells it ran well too, but in the chop I couldn’t control it at all. Personally I don’t like the ama on the Huki because too much of it rides the water (I cant fly it though either), but I hear Jude has designed a new ama. A couple of cub-mates have the same ride and they seem to be built solid & light.
I found the Stingray to run good in the swells, chop & flats. It's a good all-around-ride. Not great, but good. Plus's are volume for fat guys like me. Great hydration port under the seat & a large bungee area. On the down side the foot wells are too small and the ama has a goofy set up from the factory. It seems to plow unless you bend stuff around.
Just go out and paddle them both and see what you feel. Personally I don’t buy into the big guy = big boat theory. I paddle a Kaimana and move it better than my Stingray. So keep your mind open.

Manufacture all make great canoes and some not so great. The best thing about our sport is that you can speak directly with them. I had crappie Stingrays (too many) but after dealing direct with the builder I was set up with a perfect ride. CD in Minnesota replaced the poor canoe and the new does not have a single imperfection. I bought my Kaku direct and John serviced me great. No builder will sell you a #2 canoe without discussing it with you.

#9 Wed, 06/01/2005 - 2:13pm

seen jude today, he just pumped out a new prototype canoe... the ama looks more like the amas of the pegasus, but the iakos go into the ama, unlike his other canoes where the ama and iakos are attached by a screw... the canoe is shorter then his other boats. he did say he only paddled the canoe for one hour before he tried racing it.

i never really tried a stingray, but for me its harder to get a huki to ride a bump cleanly and smoothly without having any promblems...

#11 Sun, 08/28/2005 - 6:39pm

get a stingray.

#13 Thu, 09/15/2005 - 7:49pm

I am paddling a third-hand canadian stingray. Several club members got them also, and QC problems ocurred on most of them. The ama on my boat had to be sent back for seam problems, and they fixed it. I have been very impressed with the hull-it is watertight and solid.

Several of our club members just got V1-Z's from Huki. The new ama looks great, and the boats seem great all-around, just like YLDBill says. I would not trade the stingray for surfing waves and swells. However, I think almost any other boat would be better for going upwind. BTW, I weigh about 220, and really like the extra volume in the hull.

#15 Mon, 09/19/2005 - 4:13am

Huki - Jude has come out with a new hull design for the V1-Z, I don't think he's updated his website yet, but its a foot shorter. I got delivery of mine, I think its hull number 5 off the mold. And took it out last weekend for a quick paddle (been sick this whole past week). I haven't had a chance to really break it in on a long paddle yet, but the initial impressions are that its one awesome boat. Its very fast in medium chop, with its high bow it just cleaves the waves. After I get a chance to surf it I'll update you on the results.

Also, can't say enough about Jude's customer service. You have to remind him, but he always delivers.

#17 Sun, 10/02/2005 - 9:36pm

There is a good picture of it on the Huki website, in the 'bargains' page. The great thing is that the picture has a Z and an X, side by side. You can see the width and volume difference between the 2. The X is a foot shorter and the stern on the X curves up slightly, looks almost like a Z with the stern bent upwards.
I've paddled both and they are very different kanus with the Z more of a flatwater boat. My first impression of the X was that it wasn't as fast as the Z but I quickly changed my mind on the first downwind run with medium chop. The X felt awesome in the surf. I think the Z is faster in the flats.
There you go, looks the same, same cockpit, same ama, totally different on the water.

#19 Thu, 10/06/2005 - 7:29am

Today, Jude from Huki has updated his website and it now features V1-X. I have to say I'm really happy with the changes and I am looking forward to trying out this boat. I have paddled "Z" but found it a little to small for some conditions (nose pearling and unresponsivness in heavy chop).

Also I like the funky new Huki amas, can anyone tell my how they feel (drag, glide, and weight, when flying that puppy).

Much appreciated!

#21 Wed, 10/26/2005 - 3:48pm

Heeeerrrre's Huki!

Sorry gang, just when you thought it was safe to go out and Paddle...

Jude sent me a new X to try out.

Smokin'.

I am healing up from some minor trauma (right Keizo?) and took it out for an easy spin.
20 mph out of the South makes for some good swell around here and the X jumped all over it.

All I have is some static shots and some side-by-sides with the Z.
Of course I won't be able to leave "good enough" alone so more to follow.

Give me a holler if you have any questions.
Oh yeah, the Z is for sale.

Aloha

#23 Wed, 11/09/2005 - 4:13pm

some of the best paddlers in the pacific northwest use huki's. although you put a great paddler in any boat, and he/she will make it go fast. so not sure that comment helps you any.

just don't fall into the mistake some people (including myself at times) make, and start blaming your boat/equipment for bad performances.

whatever you decide to get, i'm sure it will be great. all the current designs are so similar at the waterline nowaday. its all ball bearin's nowaday. i say go for what is most comfortable.

and remember!!!! -----> "a poor carpenter always blames his tools"

#25 Wed, 11/16/2005 - 7:03pm