Hauling an OC1

I'm a newbie to the OC1 game and I wanted to know if it is a good idea to haul your OC1 assembled vs. apart. It seems like it would be easier / faster than assembling it on the ground. Also, as a newbie, should I be starting out with the rear iako pushed all the way in to the ama? I have an OC Zephyr........ Thanks

Submitted by herman on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 1:42pm



If you have a large enough truck/rack to carry it assembled, its up to you if you want to or not. I wouldn't recommend it.

Personally, I'd rather transport it disassembled for the fact it allows you to make sure everything is working and not locked up. Plus you'd probably damage your craft more if you were to get into an accident as the iako's could break the connection areas and possibly get them bent.

I'm lucky enough to be able to put it together in my yard on stands I've made with PVC pipes (Bernard's instructions were posted on this site http://raenard.com/CanoeStand/Default.aspx for others to make their own) and just carry my OC-1 across to the beach.

I know everyone I see always take the time to assemble/disassemble their OC-1's when they come to the beach. Some use their own stands, while others just put it together on the sand or grass.

In regards to the iako being pushed in all the way, for starting out yes. As you get better, you can start making adjustments and trying it out.

I started out on a Fusion with 1 inch from the bottom and later able to move it further out. Got the Zephyr and tried to use the same distance from the bottom as the Fusion and I kept swamping over until I put it back down. Right now I've got it about an inch and a half from the bottom which still allows me to fly the ama pretty easy.


#1 Tue, 10/21/2008 - 2:37pm


G'day,

I use to transport my OC1 assembled on top of of my Landcruiser.......looked tops and turned heaps of heads as it was the only one for 100miles!.........but it took its toll on both waka and car.....the iako and ama assembly became quite floppy over time due to vibration and forces exerted by wind.............and my beloved 'Cruiser is now a rusting hulk...........

Bottom line........It can be convenient but I wouldnt reccommend it...........we built a shed near the ocean so now only transport to races, downhill runs & home for repairs.

Rig wide for stability, especially in chop & rough......narrow as you improve & on the flat.......above all, rig comfortably, no use falling off all the time........they build pools for swimming!............but make sure you challenge yourself by rigging light regularly enough so you improve your balance

....thats how it works upside down here in Oz anyway....dunno how you folks do it in the northern hemisphere though..........


#2 Tue, 10/21/2008 - 11:08pm


Suggest you always transport unrigged. Takes about 3-minutes to rig/de-rig a Zephyr and rigging doubles as checking over the boat.

Good start on the rear iaku-to-ama depth:

Find a 2-foot long level somewhere and thin waterproof colored tape. Rig both front and rear iakus all the way into hull and ama. launch in calm piece of water. Sit in boat with paddle and lay the level across gunnels in cockpit. Now play with the depth of iaku in rear aiku so the bubble is centered (horizontal main hull) while you sit in boat with all equipment you paddle with. Mark the edge of iaku/ama junction with tape. Now go paddle around, if you find yourself swimming a lot the ama may be too light, pull iaku out a bit (now that tape is your reference) until comfortable. You can eventually make another mark on iaku with tape, or just use that one mark as a reference.


#3 Wed, 10/22/2008 - 6:57am


Why transport rigged? More hassle to load and unload. Only takes a minute or two to rig or unrig.


#4 Wed, 10/22/2008 - 8:10am


When you derigg , dont forget to take the seat off your Zephyr too or you will lose it on the road .

"All Truth , all the time "

Fuzerider :)


#5 Wed, 10/22/2008 - 11:37am


When you derigg , dont forget to take the seat off your Zephyr too or you will lose it on the road .

Forgot to type that in this thread as I rememebered putting it in the other one about removing the seat before transport. Wouldn't want to be paying an extra $125 or so for a replacement seat.

I guess you could always wrap an extra tie-down strap around the hull and seat several times to keep it in place, but why chance it.


#6 Wed, 10/22/2008 - 12:15pm


I found as also posted that rigging time = check time on the boat itself.

I also found on my Zephyr that with the iako burried all in, a little fine tuning up and down in the back gave the best feel for me with the water / wind dictating the setting...

Misery is Optional.....


#7 Thu, 10/23/2008 - 8:51pm


I always found that loading my Fusion onto the Yakima rack saddles on the back of my pick up was the hardest thing about paddling. Standing behind my truck and pushing the aka (minus ama) up and over the rear rack I was often on the verge of disaster.

Then I tried loading the OC sideways and it got a lot easier and safer. I now stand beside (not behind) the rear bed, lift the aka and push it nose first across the center of both side rails over the bed of my truck until the aka is sitting across and balanced on both side rails - Sideways. Then I climb into the back of the truck and slowly lift the aka above the rack tubes and then turn it nose forward and place it in the saddles. Easy!

This two step lifting process - step 1, standing on the ground; step 2 standing in the truck bed keeps the aka under your control for the whole operation. Of course, the OC needs to be broken down - aka, ama, iakos detached.


#8 Fri, 04/20/2012 - 8:52pm


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