Has anyone demoed the Osprey and if so…could you please give
us your general impression of the boat and maybe a little bit about
your experience in comparison with other boats?
I’m gonna put down some money on a new boat and the Pueo and
Scorpius are the two i’m looking at right now. The Osprey is interesting
though.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Submitted by oiwiwaa on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 1:04pm
Since this website is " Pueoland" ( and theres nothing wrong with that) you`ll probably get better results to your question by asking if someone on here could go over to Outrigger Connection , try out the Osprey and then get back on here to report results .
If I had to name a person suitable for this job it would be Eckhart....
#1 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 1:38am
I demoed the osprey just this past monday. I have to say, coming from a fuze, this boat is fast. I had my dad paddling my fuze and he is a lot stronger than i am, and he was paddling hard. I was passing him on a relaxed stroke. Its definitely a good surfing boat as far as my weight is concerned. I weigh about 135, so i got both the flat and surf abilities out of it. The boat definitely likes to stay high on the waves which im pretty sure is a good thing. Flat water is pretty good, it has a good glide, but its definitely faster in the open water. The ama is pretty different too. even when its only about an inch out, it still feels really light. Being my weight and size, i felt like i had a good amount of hip control on it. All in all, it is an amazing boat. If you're light and skinny like me, you should definitely look into demoing it. I love this boat. I look forward to seeing how this boat performs in the races and against the pueo.
good luck,
kcchee11
#2 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 8:18am
Mahalo kcchee11 for the response.
I'm hoping to demo the boat soon.
I hear it is a smaller volume boat than the Fuze and i'm about
50 lbs heavier than you so this may not be a good boat for
me...but i've seen some 200 pounders paddling Hurricanes
so i guess i'll have to see for myself.
Thanks for the help,
oiwiwaa
#3 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 9:32am
Oiwi...
Go to youtude, search Maui to Molokai and click on the Maui to Molokai 2008 video. This video opens with shots of Tyson Kubo paddling his hurricane. Tyson goes 225 lbs. He is manhandling that hurricane, just killing. Great video.
Word has it from friends on Maui, Tyson is on a Pueo now.
#4 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 9:58am
Thanks for the report kcchee11.
I'm curious about the Osprey as well. I'd like to hear feedback about this boat from someone with a big frame. I'm a 200 pounder myself and this seems to be the weight margin that never quite gets engineered for by the designers of OC-1's. I look forward to reading assessments about this boat by the "big boys" out there.
#5 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 10:06am
Kamanu people are smart enough to stay away from cheerleading their wares on this site, and let people figure out for themselves if their boats are good or not.
Fuzerider on the other hand, throws ill-disguised hissyfits when his wares don't become the center of attention. Nothing wrong with that mind you. It sure does make it easy for most people to choose where to spend their money.
#6 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 10:12am
Is it true that the Osprey will only be made in China? Ive heard that only a few will be made in Hawaii for the "special" paddlers but not production. I hope this is just bad info. I dont care what the boat is, if its from China, im out, which sucks cuz it does sound interesting.
#7 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 11:47am
King of Kailua.....
Fusion Baby...perfect boat for us plus sized paddlers. Chines and all. The Fusion hauls a$$. The bigger the better. But, it sucks in the flat.
Moral of the story....paddle only when get bumps!!
#8 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 12:09pm
Downwind the Fusion was even fast for me at 175 lbs.
Never could get it to go very well in the flats either but , who needs an outrigger canoe for the flats anyway....
#9 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 12:34pm
LMAO axlegrease.
#10 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 1:24pm
speaking of big guys in the flat wich canoe would be best?
#11 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 3:05pm
The Osprey is meant to be for the Fuze option of how the Zephyr was for the Fusion. Lesser volume and definitely for the lighter guys to experience what the Zephyr has in terms of its sleeker design over the Fuze/Fusion.
Being about 190 lbs, has kept me from jumping on the Osprey to demo, might try later if I drop some of the extra pounds. From what I was told, it is faster in the flats, but in bigger stuff, you'll definitely get wet more if you're over it's recommended weight range cutting through the chops instead of going over them due to its smaller volume.
Here's a link about the Osprey on the Honolulu Advertiser Blogs Na Leo Hoe Wa'a written by Jaimie Kinard.
http://naleohoewaa.honadvblogs.com/2009/03/15/new-oc-1-design-osprey/
#12 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 4:39pm
Fusion Baby…perfect boat for us plus sized paddlers. Chines and all. The Fusion hauls a$$. The bigger the better. But, it sucks in the flat.
Moral of the story….paddle only when get bumps!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's always the sticky wicket for us ain't it? I've got a Polaris which I love when it's big outside, with surf, and general blue water conditions. On the flat, I get smoked though. I'd love to try a vessel designed for us biggin's that can perform well on the flat as well.
#13 Thu, 03/19/2009 - 5:45pm
King, "sticky wicket" not sure if we can have cricket references on OCP, next you'll be talking about a wicked googly and we can't have that kind of language here.
#14 Fri, 03/20/2009 - 9:15pm
<cite., “sticky wicket” not sure if we can have cricket references on OCP
I've been catching too much BBC lately. 'oubout football? Yah know the FA cup is going on and the champions league final is coming up.
Ok back to paddling: If you put a Pueo , a Scorpius, and an Osprey in the thunderdome to fight a no holds barred death match, who would win? ... DISCUSS!! </cite.,>
#15 Sat, 03/21/2009 - 12:51am
It is more about the engine than the equipment. PAA Koa Nui showed that. Focus more on technique. The best blog on this site was the one about surfing- that helped me more than anything. I'd like to see that blog come back on this site. The person with the overall best technique, conditioning and surfing ability (kind of goes with technique) will win everytime. If one of these 3 qualities is missing, this equipment doesn't matter. Gaylord Wilcox and Nappy Napoleon (in their 60's) are prime examples and can go faster than most of the younger field. Certainly a person can have a canoe that is too big or too small but all the canoes today are very close in design. Time on the water! Have fun- main thing!!
#16 Sat, 03/21/2009 - 8:48am
Anyone got any Osprey pics to put on here?
#17 Sun, 03/22/2009 - 1:53am
This is the only one I've seen. A scan from PP magazine...
http://www.ocpaddler.com/files/OSPREY%20CANOE.jpg
#18 Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:15am
demoing osprey tomorrow, will try and get some pics up
#19 Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:06pm
That new bow looks like it would give the Osprey a little more waterline length than Fuze even though Fuze is a few inches longer in overall length.
Looking forward to seeing those pics kcchee11.
#20 Sun, 03/22/2009 - 1:52pm
I saw Eckhart on the osprey today.
So if were lucky we will be getting a good boat report in soon.
Justin Watts
#21 Mon, 03/23/2009 - 7:03pm
Ecky is on Day 22 of a successful battle against internet addiction, hence his absence from the blog. Will see what I can learn about his demo...
#22 Mon, 03/23/2009 - 8:40pm
I was able to demo the Osprey for an “HK run” and found it to move quite well. I currently ride a Zypher. As for the Osprey, it seemed very easy to move through flat water. Wish I had it for the first stage of the Koa Nui! It also seems to be a good surfer even though I’m about 20 or so lbs too fat for it at 200lbs. As long as I didn’t stall out I stayed dry. Even when I did get wet, I was able to build up speed quickly. It drains pretty fast. It was also very responsive and easy to maneuver. As with any canoe it would take getting time to really learn how to work it. I would definitely suggest anyone around 170 lbs (not sure what the actual design weight is) looking to buy a OC-1 demo the Osprey.
~Q
#23 Mon, 03/23/2009 - 9:57pm
I`m drooling all over my keyboard waiting for the pics ......
#24 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 7:53am
What are friends for?
Here you go FuzeR.
Here is more information about the Osprey, but sorry no pics
http://naleohoewaa.honadvblogs.com/
#25 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 8:53am
Fuze you're the rep why don't you send us pics?????
#26 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 9:47am
Thanks Kona J, Jaimie did a nice job on that piece.
You people out there in Hawaii need to get word to Eckhart that its ok to be addicted to the internet ....
#27 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 9:50am
just don't follow the white rabbit
#28 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:31am
I`d send em if I had em , painteur.
#29 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 1:17pm
just an FYI. I placed my order for an Osprey today. Site unseen.
an Osprey backpack that is. friggen thing is bad ass.
more pictures and a review will be forthcoming.
#30 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 5:34pm
I heard there was an Osprey II
http://www.steelheader.com/osprey.htm
#31 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 6:11pm
Got lots more info on the pueo. I googled pueo and noticed there was a site called the "Pueo's web site"
it's located at
http://pueo.mossbrook.com/
I'll stick to the boat I have..........
#32 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 7:06pm
this is the photo of http://naleohoewaa.honadvblogs.com/
#33 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:23pm
There are pics/links in the blog write-up of the Osprey and most of the other blogs. Click on the first mention of the Osprey and it'll pull up a pic submitted by Outrigger Connection.
#34 Wed, 03/25/2009 - 8:20am
Here`s something to look at until some more Osprey pics are up :
http://blip.tv/file/1882894/
Epic does a pretty nice job with this video.....
#35 Wed, 03/25/2009 - 9:51am
Just Paddle:
Pueo is so yesterday.
#36 Wed, 03/25/2009 - 2:32pm
Any paddler demo the canoe without its rudder? Sure would be nice to compare it to a V-1 or a Pueo without rudder? Good test would be to do a Magic Island to DH Buoy and back run w/o rudder in weather similar to today or yesterday.
Now that would be a workout!
#37 Wed, 03/25/2009 - 10:53pm
Where are those stinkin Osprey pics????
Do I have to come out there and get them myself ????
#38 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 3:17am
Fuze, As a representative of Outrigger Connection, why they don't update their website with info on the Osprey? Maybe put up some pics? It would be a logical extension of placing an ad in Pacific Paddler Magazine.
This goes for the other boat manufacturers too; why don't they update their websites?
#39 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 8:17am
Seems like none of the manufacturers of outrigger canoes are too concerned with marketing .
I don
t get it , its so easy to put videos with tunes up on youtube or whatever. Fast cheap advertising , beats me why they don`t take advantage of it.Epic is backed up with new orders for thier new V12 , seems to me the same thing would happen for an outrigger manufacturer if they would just pursue marketing on the internet a little more.
Who knows, maybe its because lifes so good in Hawaii and everbodys so laid back .
#40 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 10:08am
The Outrigger Connection site was updated today. Just one photo on the products menu area.
http://www.outriggerconnection.com/products.php
#41 Fri, 03/27/2009 - 1:08pm
Osprey Specs and photo
http://www.outriggerconnection.com/osprey.php
#42 Sun, 03/29/2009 - 3:32pm
Harry, that link offers a description for a fuze, not an Osprey. %P
#43 Sun, 03/29/2009 - 5:02pm
Yes, the description is for the Fuze. But the main photo and measurements are for the Osprey.
#44 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 12:18am
Is Karel Jr going to switch to the Osprey or continue paddling the Zephyr?
#45 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 7:04am
NICE HULL,
it reminds me more of a Tahitian V1 without the traditional cockpit, narrow, fast, and just wide enough on the widepoint to fit your OKOLE,
for sure is gonna be a fast boat, fast as ever.
congratulations Outrigger Connection for another fine art piece!
aloha from Argentina!
Mariano.
#46 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 12:52pm
I was reading last issue of Pacific Paddler this morning and saw the add. I agree with mariano, the hull is so sleek... Soon you'll all be paddling V1s ;-)
#47 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 12:56pm
Ia Orana Hiro,
i'am a few thousand miles away, and all i can speak off is what my first impression was out of a picture, but it is a sleek beautifull hull, and inmediatly i had the impression that was some kind of sit on top V1......
and i have to agree with you to, eventually, we all will be paddling v1s....it makes perfect sense, considering we are all linked to a millenary tradition, and rudderless is the ultimate challenge to master.
for now, i stick to what i have on hand, a good old OC-1, that can make an Argentinian surf 25miles an hour winds even if i'm far away from mastering the art....hahhaha.
again, and going back to the topic, the Osprey is one fine state of the art canoe, very, very inspirational!!!
#48 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 4:51pm
If only Ecky would come out of Rehab and give us his impressions on how it paddles after he borrowed the demo from OC.
R
#49 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 5:27pm
Decided to demo the Osprey after reading what Qpaddler66 who says he was over the target weight limit and to see if it could handle me being a smaller craft than the Zephyr. Went over to Kailua Beach by the boat ramp and stayed near Flat Island seeing as how it was a windy day, didn't want to go too far out with the demo.
First off, the view of the bow (sitting in it) was totally different than from the Zephyr or Fusion. Much lower to the water and sharper looking. I attribute that to the rounder shape unlike the straight lines on the other models.
Tighter footwell area, but not much different compared to the Zephyr which just has a more thicker sidewall. This design does let you put the paddle a bit closer to the hull though. The single drain with the improved super sucker venturi flap works well keeping minimal water in the footwell.
Sliding adjustable seat is fine if others beside youself may be using it, but I would prefer the custom fitted one for more control. Not enough support when leaning back as I felt it fold back due not having enough foam behind it, but that's due to the shape since it would need to be able to move all the way back in the seatwell for a taller person.
Ama similar in design to the Mantra one. Started out with it being all the way down in the rear and later moved it an inch a quarter up from the bottom. Felt lighter and less noticable while paddling and even when leaning on the left. Hulied once, but that was due to not enough support/control of the seat (mentioned earlier).
Hull shape seemed to have a lower profile and much closer to the water, but well balanced. Didn't feel it want to lean either way and very stable. The demo had the standard rudder and not the NZ/surfing rudder common on most of their current lineup. Steering felt the same as when I had the standard rudder on my Zephyr so not sure if others would notice any difference. Didn't ask if there will be a surfing rudder for it though, but I'm sure there will be when it comes to market..
Paddling upwind felt easier to me with less resistance especially compared to my Fusion. Paddling downwind on some bumps was amazing as it just wanted to keep moving forward even further than what I expected. Connecting to the next bump felt easier with less paddling to maintain or get back up to speed. On bigger waves, the tip of the nose was right at the waterline for me, but that didn't seem to matter since the nose of the Osprey is lower than the other models. Leaning back a little it came up more and flying the ama helped and the canoe just sped up more. Paddling with sidewind was just as easy and felt no resistance or any pushing/pulling. Didn't get to try it in any flat water conditions (wanted to but had too much fun on the bumps), but the way it felt in the other conditions, would most definitely be great in the flats. Talked with Karel Jr. afterwards about my observations and he said he has taken it out in the canal a few times doing his normal bridge to bridge sessions and he has noticed faster times. And that was with him claiming not being in the best shape.
Overall, I'm impressed with this latest design to come from OC and will look forward to when it will be available later this summer.
Took some pictures of it too.
And yes, there are chines on this baby!!!
#50 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 8:54pm
I'm no Ecky, but I sampled the Osprey today. We paddled it next to a pueo, and a hurricane, i usually paddle a pegasus so we had a nice array of comparisons. The osprey looks super weird when you first sit in it. The nose kinda bulges out (kinda like a penis?) cuz the footwells are so close together, so it just looks funny. The seat area has a drain so it doesnt flood, which is cool. The canoe is pretty fast in flat water, i'd say it was almost as good, possibly just as fast as a pueo, didnt have the same smoothness, but it moved well. The ama is excellent. Very smooth, not too much drag, not too close (pueo) not too far, wasnt bothered with it at all. Downwind the osprey was excellent. It doesnt catch swells as good as a pueo, but it surfs better and keeps moving on the wave better than the hurricane and pueo. The nose digs a little but not as much as a pegasus, but has good maneuverability on the wave to connect to bumps going diff directions. Upwind it was pretty rough. Super hard to move it, hurricane/pueo definitely better. All in all, excellent canoe pretty similar to pegasus, try it if you're a smaller paddler looking to buy a canoe.
#51 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 9:18pm
damn E7M, you beat me to an osprey post. The canoe had that cool color changing paint on it. I kept looking at the nose changing from brown/green to blue as water splashed on it
#52 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 9:23pm
What a great looking canoe. Too bad the average guy wont be able to get one unless its made in China.
Thanks E7M for such a good photo spread.
#53 Mon, 03/30/2009 - 9:52pm
one more time!!!!
awesome canoe, very inspirational......
mahalo for the pics....now i have a better sight.
Alooooha!
#54 Tue, 03/31/2009 - 2:24am
I had the chance to paddle it today, now I am a intermediate paddler and don't have a ton of differant canoes that I have paddled, Peggy, Fuze, zephyr, Hurfricane. Took it out for the Magic island to D/H run. Wind was howlin! I though it was faster than my Zepher in the flats and paddled well up wind, Got blown over by a ama side gust ;-) Liked it on the little down wind that I had, seemed a little slower than my Zephyr going down the bumps. Really liked the ability to paddle close to the hip, narrow entry
big Kudos to karel Jr. and Senior they took the time he to answer my hundred questions. Extremly nice!! Everyone on Island so far has been GREAT during my visit. Moving my wife out, I will be back ion June for good!!
great paddling ohana here, MAHALOS !!!
I get the Pueo tomorrow for a couple of days, we will see what happens.
Anyone want to take a downwind Hawaii Kai run with a first timer and show me the ropes, strong paddler, just not a great surfer!! yet!!
Thanks
Ted
#55 Tue, 03/31/2009 - 7:50pm
E7M, thanks for putting up all those good pics of the Osprey.
I`m wondering if anyone is going to race the demo in the solo...
It would be good to see how it goes offshore with a good paddler on it.
#56 Sat, 04/11/2009 - 5:19am
Product Page for the Osprey updated on the OC website.
http://www.outriggerconnection.com/osprey.php
Below is the new OC advertisement in the April 2009 Pacific Paddler Magazine.
#57 Tue, 04/14/2009 - 1:22am
had a friend paddle the Osprey this past weekend 25may09...sweet boat and yup, its pretty fast...im still new to the life of oc-1, but i had a good 50yrds on my friend, caught me pretty quick and kept on going...paddle run was sand island to magic island and back...water was on the flat side and tide was running to low...
#58 Tue, 05/26/2009 - 1:43pm
"If only Ecky would come out of Rehab and give us his impressions on how it paddles after he borrowed the demo from OC.
R
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com
http://goprouser.freeforums.org - Gopro help"
Well I can help you out there Rambo, don't think Eckhart would mind, he said it was too small for him so there was no point giving a report.
Pretty sure he hasn't tried a Pegasus either.
#59 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 1:10am
Clarkie, that is right; in addition I used a standard seat.
The Osprey is Hawaiian built at this point, it really looks crafted very well. Nice attention to detail, some new features such as drain of the seat area, sliding seat.
#60 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:52am
Main thing is hull shape and rocker. Unable to find any pictures showing this.
#61 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:03am
Drew you out of the woodwork again Eckhart! Your still addicted!@#@$$%. If surfing this site is your only addiction you are not a bad person.
#62 Sun, 05/31/2009 - 12:31am