I'm a novice paddler on the North shore of Maui. I want to buy an OC-2 or an OC-3 to use with friends to spend time on the water and stay in shape for surfing over the summer and maybe try fishing. If I lived on a lake I would buy one of those plastic canoes at Costco but I figure I need something a little more substantial on account of the overhead windswell here.
I'm not keen on racing and I would say that looking after fragile sports equipment is not one of my greatest strengths.
I have the opportunity to buy a used carbon Wave Blade OC-2. It seems like a nice boat but I get the feeling it might be a little too racy for a casual user like me. If anybody has some advice, I would be very grateful.
Submitted by Alec Stewart on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 11:17pm
It's an awesome boat, and if you get more into it, you can race on it later. The beauty of oc1/oc2 is that a novice can be comfy on even the most high end racer boat, unlike a super narrow racing surfski or flatwater kayak.
#1 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 3:55am
Too racey? no such thing..... if it
s light weight , thats a good thing , right?http://maineoutriggerchampionships.blogspot.com/
#2 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 4:04am
Do it!
...as far as I know, there's no such thing as a "recreational" one-man. They're ALL "racy", aren't they?
#3 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 5:49am
With due respect to waveblade, their product is reputed to be very fragile. I havent worked on any recently but in the past they were extremely delicate. Just an FYI. I'd take it to someone who knows outriggers and have 'em give it a good look over for stress cracks or anything suspect.
#4 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 8:36am
Being on this site at all shows you have an interest in OC paddling...go for it so many people fish off there boats even during races ie. Big Island Its a great way to stay fit but you have to handle it with some care and if you do so it will keep you safe ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
#5 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 7:54am
In defense of the Waveblade, I beleive they were built by both Kai Barlett and Steve Blyth. I don't know if they had a business relationship long ago or what. I know of Waveblades that are tough and others that are delicate. I don't know who built which ones, but I remember long ago someone told me who it was, I have just forgotten. However, if you pinch the nose of the boat, the delicate ones flex easily. If I was looking at a "delicate" one, I don't know that this would prevent me from buying it if the price were right as the design is great.
#6 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 10:52am
Alec,
I am sure we can help you with your decision, but a little more information might help.
Also this thread is taking a tangent-Since you are specifically asking about a Wave Blade OC-2 not a Wave Blade OC-1.
If you and your potential paddling partners are both on the large side-over 190#s then the Wave Blade Oc-2 might be too small. If it is a HYPR Wave Blade OC-2, then there is more volume added. and will handle larger paddlers. But have an experienced paddler check build quality whether HYPR or not.
If you have time to wait on the purchase you can try to look for a used VIPER OC-2 or Stingray OC-2from Outrigger Connection, or a Tiger OC-2. or a John Martin OC-2. Try them all out. However if you want strictly durability and strength and stable then I would try a John Martin OC-2
Also another helpful point of reference is to tell us the type of conditions that you will be paddling in.
Aloha
#7 Wed, 04/09/2008 - 11:31am
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I decided to go for it. We're going to take it out for our first paddle tomorrow morning.
#8 Thu, 04/10/2008 - 10:13pm
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#9 Wed, 07/02/2014 - 11:23pm