The fair market price on used OC1s?

I had posted on a yahoogroup for outrigger canoes that I was looking to buy my first OC1. People there (as they are here) have been exceedingly gracious and helpful. I had a person contact me about wanting to sell me her Huki V1-A. It is 10 years old and has had some repairs due to some past damage.

She said her asking price is $2100. There was another Huki V1-X that recently sold on the yahoogroup for $1500 and it was 2 years old and in "good condition". Both these deals sound like they are so wildly different and I am having difficulty in trying to determine a fair offer for the V1-A.

Was the Huki V1-X a super great deal? Or does the 10-year old V1-A seem a bit overpriced?

I certainly don't want to offend anyone with a "lowball" offer and thought I would check in with folks here to see what their thoughts were on used OC1s. I'm in California btw...not sure if that makes a difference in terms of supply/demand vs being out in Hawaii.

There's also a used 2-year old Hurricane that I'm looking at as well. The owner injured himself and says the OC1 is in "like new" condition. Curious as to what people thought. I was thinking around $2k...if a 2 year old Huki V1-X sold for $1500, but again, I'm just not sure.

Thanks for any input!

Submitted by musubiman on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 5:41am



New OC1's are about 2.8 - 3.5K. They are ultralight, very fragile, racing craft. While the designs have not changed drastically in last 10 years, they have changed a bit. A boat built for racing is designed with minimal material to keep the weight down. Therefore, over time you expect the stress areas to break down a bit, but they aren't throw-aways by any means; most are still built very well because they must endure open ocean paddling and some of the earlier models were a bit overbuilt. Finding a good used OC1 usually takes time since not many come on market. Try hooking up with a paddling club and ask around. I would expect something 10 years old in good condition to be about 1-1.5K but boat inspection is everything. Since you're new to the sport, trying out a few different boats will provide you more info. At the end of the day, most any boat will serve you well as you gain experience on water and learn what you really want, so in my opinion it's better to go cheap as possible to start (as long as boat is safe) and get out there. Another benefit from going cheap to start is the selling price on your boat won't drop too much when you want to sell to next newcomer when you upgrade.


#1 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 8:02am


$2100 for a 10 year old canoe seems really high even if it had never been damaged. Check the classifieds here, you can do way better.


#2 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 9:22am


Yikes! A ten year old any water craft is probably not worth the ~75% of its original cost unless its been stored away in a dungeon with its original wrappings still on it. I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for a used one more than a couple of years old. Anything more for a ten year old used with repair boat and you might as well just invest in a new one. I'd go with the used Huki-X if its still in good condition (aka doesn't leak water or if it does, the repair is a do it urselfer). You should be allowed to take it for a run and see how it feels and sizes for you. IMHO good luck


#3 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 10:23am


The V1-X for $1500 must be a fiberglass non-vac lay-up with some repairs or in very poor condition. Even then, that's a great price for an OC-1. If the "A" is in good condition (damage not specified) and is a carbon/kevlar lay-up then it could go for $2100. Does it come with an extra rudder and a cover. The cover is $200 and the extra rudder is $125. Also some of Jude's all-canoe paint designs were costly starting around $300. If the canoe is close, check it out. Seeing it will make all the difference. At $3500 plus now for a new one, $2100 looks tempting.


#4 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 10:30am


I too think $2100 for the V1-A is pricey. I would wait as used canoes do come up often, just make sure you're the first to respond.

If you're looking at used Huki's go to their website and check out prices regarding the different makes/models and if it is fiberglass, carbon, blend... They can range from $1800-3600 not including options. Jude also has many used canoes on his website and can arrange for shipping.

Good luck with your search.


#5 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 11:53am


No chance, don't touch that boat. $2100 you could find a used kaimana for a better price than that, heck you could find a used Kainalu, any used OC boat, or Kai Vaa boat for a better price than $2100, that isn't ten years old.

I had a base depreciation chart depending on your area and availability of boats would drop a boat price $300 per year without any damage, more so in areas with greater numbers of OC's. So if your $3000 canoe is 2 years old you could ask $2400-$2600 depending on the condition.

A boat with damage is like buying a car with damage. It's just not going to be the same as a new one.


#6 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 10:23pm


$2100, too buku.


#7 Wed, 05/20/2009 - 5:01am


Price is also based on location, since your in Cali, you'll find more used OC-1 in your region. In the North East coast, it is not easy to find a used OC-1, unless we buy one from the West and ship it which would make the price not worth it.


#8 Wed, 05/20/2009 - 5:11am


Have you even seen this boat? I've sold items before and nothing offends me more than someone asking for a lower price without even looking at the item or at least asking a few questions. My advice is if you're serious, take a look at the canoe before negotiating a price.

A brand new canoe can run close to $4000, plus tax, plus shipping (unless you're set on a Huki and you're lucky enough that Jude can deliver), plus there's always a waiting list. So you should also factor in the subjective cost of having a canoe now opposed to waiting for another used canoe that may or may not come up, or for your new canoe to get built.


#9 Thu, 05/21/2009 - 5:30am


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