I have been playing around with the iako length on my Huki V1-X. What is a good (best, if there is such a thing) all around distance to put the ama out on? I brought in pretty close before a pretty flat paddle today up at Zuma and was suprised at how deep the ama seemed to ride.
Zumapop
Submitted by zumapop on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 6:27pm
if the ama is digging water, you might want to check the height setting for the iako... don't know the huki system but try dropping the ama a little (or raising the iako- depending on how you look at it), esp in the back iako...
#1 Wed, 02/06/2008 - 6:25am
If it's digging in when it's closer to you, chances are you're leaning left to compensate for bringing it in. It's better to have it out and feel balanced than to bring it in for that extra split-second of speed and end up negating the whole thing by leaning left.
A few years ago, we rigged our six-man at 65" thinking we'd reduce drag in a flat race. Everyone ended up leaning left the whole time because we were too tippy and the ama plowed. It was a bad choice.
#2 Wed, 02/06/2008 - 6:36am
If it is this style of ʻiako and ama:
(where the front ʻiako goes through the ama and the rear ʻiako is pushed down into the ama)
then there should be two ways to adjust.
If the ama is running deep because you are leaning left because it feels tippy, push the rear ʻiako one more button into the ama, or move the ʻiako to the first button at the main hull if it is pushed all the way into the second button. Heavier paddlers may have to make one of these adjustments if getting on a canoe that is rigged for a lighter paddler.
On the other hand, if the canoe feels like it is leaning left when you are sitting balanced, pull the rear ʻiako one button up in the ama, or move the ʻiako into the main hull to the second button position. Lighter paddlers may have to make one of these adjustments if getting on a canoe that is rigged for a heavier paddler.
#3 Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:04pm
I've got a V1-X and usually rig it with the iakos in the short position and the rear iako button in the top position. If its really rough, I'll move the iakos out. I weigh 143 lbs. The short iako position definately felt tippy for a couple of days.
#4 Sat, 02/09/2008 - 7:26am
distance/iaku length from mid hull to mid ama varies between 36 inches and 45 inches, according what I have seen/heard.
When you get closer you start hitting the ama with your paddle in rough water.
Pushing the iaku in/out changes the height level of the ama because the iaku and the cuff for the iaku on the hull are not perfectly horizontal in most designs.
#5 Sat, 02/09/2008 - 9:31am