Listing of winning/placed Canoes in Races? Or How To Try Canoes Like Everybody Says

I've been researching various canoes on this forum and others. I'd like to buy my new wife an OC-1 for her birthday next month and for training (she's on the Beach Boys OC-6team). I would also like to give this sport a try as well. I keep hearing all about the newer Fuzes, the older Hurricanes and Vantages, Pahoas and Pegsuses so my purchase will probably be along these lines.

The problem is with choosing one.

I've been trying to find a list of the canoes and their respective rankings in the Molokai Hoe race, but all I can find are names of paddlers and their times. Anybody know how I can find out which OC1s are placing consistently?

Also everybody keeps telling me to "try them out first" to see which ones fit/work the best. It's driving me nuts and is starting to annoy me since we can't just go out and rent a few to try out like we can with kayaks, surfboards or SUPs. Unless somebody knows of a rental place that I haven't heard of.

"Join a club" is the next typical response. She's already in one and all she gets to do is train and race in the OC-6. She did get to try out an OC-1 once but it was a unbranded beater fiberglass canoe. I have the impression that just by signing up with a club, I won't all of the sudden be able to try out a bunch of different nice boats that I'm thinking about buying. I'm also deaf so socializing in such a club wouldn't be something that would happen. I think it would just be a drain on a public teacher's salary.

Does anybody have any advice, suggestions or thoughts? Best thing I can think of is to find a consistent finisher in the races (not sponsored if possible) and go with that brand/type as a first boat and take things from there.

Lastly, I'm not sure who would use it more, her or I so an OC-1 that covers a broad weight range would be outstanding - is that even possible? She's 125 and I'm 165 pounds.

Thanks,

Paul

Submitted by The Teacher on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:36pm



The way to go about trying canoes is to get down to a short list and contact the seller and they usually have a rep or someone who can hook you up with a demo. Tiger of tiger Canoe got me on his Pahoa, Kai of Kai Waa can tell you where a local dealer is, and if you contact outrigger connection you can find someone through them. If you are looking for a Kiamana Composite they will help you. Bottom line is that you are going to have to do some driving and spend time. Here in Southern California, Chris Okeff has demos where several canoes are available for sale and to try. It is not an instant gratification thing and some boat you might have to wait for. As far as consistent winners, you will notice the same 5 guys win a lot on many different boats...some race a new boat every year and place every year. Kai wins on Polaris, Pegasus, Scorpius, Jr wins on fusions and zephyr...the boat are quite different but they are the best motors and they win. You and your wife are in a great weight range close enough to share and a lot of choices.


#1 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 1:05am


Buy a used small volume OC 1. Over time you will learn what you like about it and what not, you will also be able to compare with other models.

Fuze, Hurricane, Pegasus or Naia Iki are common small volume boats; take the one you can get hold of.

In reality - for a beginner any boat will do.

Try them out means - are you comfortable on them. It takes several months and longer to get to know your boat in various conditions.


#2 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 1:13am


Hi Paul, i hear what your saying and it's true, the more research you do and opinions you seek the more confused and complicated it gets.

Here's the simple answer.

Based on you and your partners weight and the fact you want a respected proven brand that has been around for a while, choose between a Hurricane and a Pegasus.

Nothing much between them for the average paddler, except if you want a little more comfort, go Pegasus.

I'm about your weight and own both.

That's as simple as it gets.

Good luck

Cheers Rambo


#3 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 1:13am


The Pegasus, Fuze, Kainalu are for paddlers 170lbs and below to my understanding (but heavier paddlers still use them) so any of those should be fine for both of you to use/share.

The Pegasus is made by Kai Wa'a on Maui so you'll need to get a hold of Kai/Lauren Bartlett to inquire about theirs.
808-368-6333. kaiwaa1@hotmail.com

Outrigger Connection in Kailua has demos you can rent/try so that's for the Fuze.
(808)261-8424, canoes@outriggerconnectionhawaii.com

Kamanu Composites also in Kailua let you demo theirs so you should be able to try out the Kainalu.
(808) 228-8609, info@kamanucomposites.com.

Supposedly the Go Bananas on Kapahulu Ave did have the Hyper Pahoa/Ho'okulea to demo, but I never asked them about it at their store. (808) 737-9514, info@gobananaskayaks.com

As for which OC-1 has been consistently winning for women, it has to be the Kai Wa'a Pegasus. The 2008 1st/2nd/3rd place women Ka'iwi Channel solo/relay winners were all in that OC-1.

For men, it all depends as the winners use different OC-1's. Kai Bartlett uses the Kai Wa'a Scorpious that he sell/make, Karel Trasnek Jr uses the Outrigger Connection's Zephyr that they sell/make. Kamanu Composites has their new Pueo out as well.


#4 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 1:48am


Uhmmm ... guess we just complicated it again for him.

Sorry Paul

Rambo


#5 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 2:42am


I`d go with a Zephyr or Fuze depending on paddler weight.

Zephyr is a pretty big canoe and to me, feels like a suped up Fusion which can`t be a bad thing especially if you paddle in Hawaiian waters.

Ive got lots of hours on both Zephyr and Fuze and at my weight of 172 pounds, the Fuze seems to run a little better for me on the flats but the Zephyr seems like it might be a slightly better choice for downwind days especially in fairly big conditions. The Zephyr is 21 feet 6 inches long , Fuze is 20 feet 4 inches . I think the Fuze runs a little better than the Zephyr in small chop which is mostly what we paddle in where I live. But again , weight will affect the canoes performance thats why OC offers 3 different sized OC1s`

Sprint kayaks are sized much the same way , you pick your boat based on what you weigh for optimum performance.

I`m not saying you should go out and buy an OC canoe or any other canoe just go try them out, talk to various trustworthy riders like me , cut through all of the baloney and commercialism floating around out there and settle for something with good overall quality, durability and performance. All canoes are a set of compromises , buy one that suits the conditions you will usually paddle in and your weight.

For me it was pretty easy .

http://maineoutriggerchampionships.blogspot.com/


#6 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 3:39am


Teacher- Don't buy a canoe based on placement in races. Likely you would get the same finish order no matter what canoes these men and women paddled. It's like asking what shoes the Kenyan marathoners wear. Doesn't matter.

Pick a boat on size and comfort. 125lbs? Hurricane or Pegasus. All the rest will feel like battleships.

Or buy from the rep with the pushiest, blind-to-your-real-needs sales pitch. That seems to often be the trend here in the forum.


#7 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 4:03am


I love my Zephyr. Its not for your wife at 125 lbs.

I agree, Pegasus or Hurricane. Both should be easy to demo considering you live on Oahu?? Call Kai or Tom Bartlett and they can put yu in contact with someone to demo a Pegasus. Im not sure who to call for a Hurricane but I think that would be even easier to demo than a Toyota Tacoma!


#8 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 5:47am


Both Pegasus and Hurricane are longer canoes than the Fuze.
Pegasus is 20 feet 6 inches as is Hurricane . Fuze is 20 feet 4 inches.
In terms of overall volume they may have less than Fuze because of the vertical volume located in the front end of Fuze .

This volume helps to make the Fuze more pearle resistant than the other models, a very important factor when trying to go fast in waves.

My wife is under 125 lbs. and can kick most butts around here on her Fuze . Shed kick my butt too if I backed off even a little bit on my training. I know for sure that her race results wouldnt change if she changed boats and most likely yours won`t either so , get a boat you like and learn to paddle it to get the most out of it.

http://maineoutriggerchampionships.blogspot.com/


#9 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 7:15am


Awesome comments, suggestions, links and contact information!

This thread should be made into a "sticky" and placed on the front page for everybody else who shows up in these shoes.

I'm feeling a lot better about this than I have in months. Looks like I have my weekend plans cut out for me now.

Many mahalos!!!

-Paul


#10 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 7:18am


Hi Fuzerider,

I was checking the Outrigger Connection site and the Fuze specs are 20.5" (Lenght), not 20.4" and 16" (Width). Can you explain to me how the Fuze can be as fast as a 14" Pegasus or a 15" Hurricane?


#11 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 9:12am


Uh oh, here we go again...


#12 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 9:02am


Harry,
The 16" beam is measured at the seat (comes up high and flares out), not at the waterline. At the waterline (for me, at 180#), the beam is significantly less. The extra beam is all above the waterline and acts as reserve buoyancy when surfing downwind.

Everyone knows the real advantage to the Fuze are the chines, though... I'm not a fast enough paddler, so my chines don't respect me, and don't want to perform for me. Maybe I should try and bribe them with beer...

Paul,
Seriously though, try the boats. See what is comfortable. See what is available. Get what is comfortable for you. I would also take a good look at the Pueo. It looks like a hell of a boat, and you can pick up the demo from Kamanu Composites off Kaapa Quarry Road behind the marsh in Kailua.

Good luck and Aloha,
Eric


#13 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 10:10am


Thanks for the explanation Eric.

One more question, do you know the measure of the waterline beam of the Fuze?


#14 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 10:26am


I agree w/ hurricane and the pegasus and presently own 1 of each ,You can't go wrong with either but if I had to chose between the two I would go with the hurricane as I find it faster in flat water and decent in all around conditions. ( I know its motor not the boat )

I tried the fuze and wasn't big on it but that is just me I'm sure lots of others like it


#15 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 11:24am


Not sure about the Fuze waterline beam. It does fit, almost perfectly, the foam roof rack pads I cut to fit the hull on my wife's Naia Iki (before we traded it for a Hurricane). That really suprised me...


#16 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 12:25pm


Paul-- I send you a private message, so remember to look for it.
I also paddle for WBBCC and would be happy to help hook you up with people that would likely let the two of you give their canoes a trial run.


#17 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 12:36pm


I would add Fuze to my list of Hurricane and Pegasus above, a very comfy ride. I gave a review of the Fuze in the Locker before i bought the Peggie and the only reason i ruled it out was the price here in Australia for a Fuze at the time was $1000 more than any other OC1.

Pegasus review
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2007/10/first-review-of-pegasus.html

Hurricane review
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/search/label/Hurricane%20Oc1

Fuze review
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2007/04/outrigger-connection-fuze-my-r...

Cheers Rambo


#18 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 12:42pm


Yeah, but that extra $1000 buys you chines and an exclusive Outrigger Connection international team riders agreement, which may or may not exist.

I'd say it's a downright steal.


#19 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 2:30pm


For the fun of it - we are trying to establish a video library with reviews of current OC 1 models to answer some of the questions above.

Suggestions, wishes and videos are mostly welcome.

http://oc1design.blogspot.com


#20 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 3:35pm


Don't know of any video reviews existing for OC1 craft Ecky, you would have to shoot 'em and star in them. I did start a couple a while ago for the Locker, but haven't finished them.

Fuzy should do one i recon and then get Mahatmark to edit it.

Rambo


#21 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 4:52pm


Rambo - I am waiting for the cameras; ready to go.

Paddlers videos:
I would like to include all levels of expertise - so don't be shy.
You feature all over the net already - we have to apply some other, yet unknown, dimension for you. :)
Fortunately we have the 'who is who of paddling' in our club. I hope to get some footage from all of them.

Congrats: your video 'Another day in Paradise' is terrific. It is featured on the GoPro website.

OC1 videos:
I talked already with someone; hope we are up and running soon.

I agree - it would be hard to make a Fuze video without Fuzerider.
I very much hope that he agrees to star in it.

http://www.oc1design.blogspot.com beta version


#22 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 8:40pm


Can't wait to see the mythical chine effect... Please eckhart, be quick !


#23 Wed, 09/03/2008 - 10:43pm


Hiro - maybe we'll have to record in 'time lapse' mode for a while ...


#24 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 12:27am


I've been told i look a bit like Fuzy, i could don a curly wig and draw pencil lines on my Pegasus and scream Chines.. Chines.. Chines ... get'em while they shine ... at the camera. That's pretty good rendition of Fuzy goin' off.

Yeah the Paradise Video has been there a couple of months and had 20,528 plys last time i looked. If only i could get 10cents a play. My wide angle GoPro has been shipped and i will be testing and reporting here next week. I getting all horny just thinking about it.

One step ahead of you Ecky, i have another new dimension already, see PM.

Oops can't PM you. I'll try your website.

Cheers Rambo


#25 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 1:55am


Rambo ,

Fly up here and do Mayors Cup with me on the Stingray 2


#26 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 4:03am


40 hrs on a plane to do a 3 hr 40 race????? ..... I'd love to but the prize money in the OC2 Div is unlikely to cover the airfare. I know, I know, i the value is in the adventure, but i've got 3 fly in races booked within the next 6 months. I'll talk to the cook.

Cheers Rambo


#27 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 4:30am


Paul, has she asked anybody in club to demo a personal OC1? Most club OC1's are beaters so I can understand her frustration there.

Hurricane is an awesome boat, very fast, and the attention to detail of it's build is impressive. It's probably the oldest design among the contenders and still kicks it at the races (under a good paddler of course). However, a very common complaint about it is that it's got an uncomfortable seat; the boat's built for performance first and comfort last. Seats can of course be (and should be) modified, but if you're all just starting out the boat likely to get the most time on water is the one most comfortable. If you want to compete, it'll take a while before you are competitive so my suggestion would be to go with most comfortable boat as your first one. I'm sure to be flogged for saying this, but because of those potential comfort issues the Hurricane may not be the best choice for a novice...

Hurricane, Pegasus, Pueo, Fuze (contenders in this thread) are all awesome boats if you can get your hands on any one of them for reasonable price you will be very happy. If you are new to owning performance boats, suggest you go for the best deal (within reason) because you will make novice-OC1-owner mistakes that we all had to work through and they can be costly...

I know from this forum we all get so worked up on the differences between boats above 'cause of the passion we have for paddling but in reality, if you can get your hands on any of those for a decent price you will be very, very happy and when out with experienced paddlers you will always see & hear a complement on how nice your boat is. A good paddler will win in any of 'em. I haven't paddled the Pueo, but I believe the most versatile boat of the lot could be the Fuze (ie: performance on the flats and in the rough), Hurricane being best flat water paddler and Peggy being best in open water. But when I say "best" I'm talking by a very thin margin, and it's just my opinion from paddling demo's; I own a Zephyr now and last boat was not from this list. I will say that from an armchair perspective that Pueo looks very nice. Can't wait to try one; interesting ama.

Only warning: to keep the peace in that marriage with your new, lovely wife, see if you can find a deal on two boats! Very fun paddling/learning together

Good luck. Have fun demo'ing & choosing; buying a new boat is awesome! Once you choose don't look back just get as much time on water as possible.

Bottom line: Even if you purchase any above blindly without a demo you & wife will be very pleased.


#28 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 6:52am


what a well thought ou' an' diplomatic post thar chineboy. i agree wi' most everythin' ye spake 'ceptin' fer one thin'. paddling/learnin' wi' yer buxom beauty be most definitely nay th' path t' marriage nirvana. sometimes 'tis, but often times nay.


#29 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 7:41am


Rambo - I embedded my favorite videos in pop up windows; that way I can keep them open an play them while I am working on the web.
You have to embed the video object into a html/javascript gadget; that is basically all. Let me know in case you want to try.
I am currently trying to get my tide chart into the header - so far it won't position well...

Your paradise movie really is a piece of art. Very deserving to have that many viewers.

The hosing down of the boat at the end brings you back to harsh reality.
Another step ahead ?? Well, at least, I'd say.

I think that you can PM to me through this web site, doesn't that work anymore ?

http://www.oc1design.blogspot.com beta version of a blog


#30 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 9:29am


Ecky, i emailed your Gmail. I think you may have PM disabled in settings in your profile.

Go easy on all the Javascript boxes in blogger, i had to remove most of mine as it crashed guests browsers and slows down the page loading too much, that's why i took down the "Knowledge BoX". If you visit some of the biggest Blogger sites you will notice they are devoid of all the eyecandy. Blogger updates the interface occasionally too and then things stop working, especially if you have modded the Template.

Ya i love the Paradise Vid myself, kinda runs a chill up your back.

Cheers Rambo


#31 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 11:30am


Back go the subject. Go buy a PUEO. I sorta stole Danny's yesterday and went and did a downwind run. Can't wait for mine to get one. It hops from bump to bump so easily and surfs insanely well. O and the new ama is rad too.


#32 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 7:04pm


Javascript is running on the client side - it's the calls to the server that make it expensive; I try to use static data that are called once only.

If people don't have javascipt enabled it gets trickier.
Yes, eye candy, is just what it is.


#33 Thu, 09/04/2008 - 9:23pm


A Hurricane has moved into our living room. :-)

Many thanks to NoviceC and Andrea for directing my attention to y2kanu.com and more specifically, a Hurricane that was recently posted there.

For $1,300 I got: A single-owner hurricane that appears to be in good condition. Its in the wife's favorite color too, purple. I know these boats have a reputation for having one of the most uncomfortable seats in the industry, and this one still has it's stock seat, but has additional padding added to it, as well as padding added to the foot wells. It came with two rudders, one original rudder and one larger rudder (for the surf). Two amas, one slightly larger/heavier with some cracks and coating falling off. I was told that one should be used for the surf/rough water. The other one is slightly smaller, lighter and in cood conditon. Also got three Iakoses with it, a sock for the canoe, home-made stands (the kind for home, not very portable), and rack pads.

I think I got a great deal. Thank you Jared.

The wife came home last night and has been going nuts over it. The problem is, her birthday isn't until late October. Should I make her wait until then? :-D

Many thanks everybody.

-Paul


#34 Sat, 09/06/2008 - 8:10am


Noooooo Paul!!! Don't do that. Give it to her and go out to the ocean tomorrow morning.


#35 Sat, 09/06/2008 - 9:01am


Keep it right in the middle of your living room. Don't move it.
Reconsider if you even want to give it away as a present.


#36 Sat, 09/06/2008 - 3:54pm


Paul, welcome to your new adiction and congratulations on a fine choice. If you experience butt soreness i have the answer for you.

http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2007/03/about-my-single-outrigger-cano...

Cheers Rambo


#37 Sat, 09/06/2008 - 7:06pm


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