I'm looking for advice on what OC1 to get..

Hello, I live in Hawaii Kai and recently started paddling the six man with a local Hui. I love the sport and want to get an OC1 but not really sure what size to get.

I'm currently 250lbs (and dropping) and wondering what size OC1 would be right for me?

I went out with the team and used a club using one of their OC1's which I suspect was a bit small. It seemed like had to paddle 50% faster just to keep up with the rest of the group!

Submitted by mnewgent on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 12:25pm



Outrigger Connection Fusion? or a Kai Waa Scorpius/Polaris/Arcturus? Those would just be my opinions.

Aloha,
Kcchee11


#1 Tue, 06/16/2009 - 1:41pm


At around a grand or more or less, I love the Viper, Mantra, and Ono. For a couple hundred more go for the Naia, for you can always put an outboard engine on it (like I saw one day at Kailua Bay). Feel like splurging, then a Wave Blade for about 2 grand will do fine.


#2 Tue, 06/16/2009 - 6:35pm


don't take this the wrong way, but you were probably having to paddle faster simply because you're new to the sport. the rest of the group (assuming they're not brand new, too) is more efficient with their stroke.


#3 Tue, 06/16/2009 - 8:55pm


IF you are paddling in Hawaii Kai, you might want to give the Ma'a afi OC1 a try.It fits the large paddler very well, can sustain weights up to 250 lbs. and has a good glide in the flat. It surfs really well also. There is a demo boat that can be used, drop me a line and I'll hook you up.

Big boys "kick and glide"!


#4 Tue, 06/16/2009 - 10:06pm


I know of a almost new Polaris or Fusion built for a guy about 6'5". Fusion has more volume- might be the better canoe for you. Time on the water-practice, practice. You'll get faster!


#5 Tue, 06/16/2009 - 10:33pm


For the plus sized guys like you and me, Fusion/Zephyr from Outrigger Connection....or....Scorpius from Kai. I owned a Fusion, then got the Zephyr, and have demo'ed the Scorpius. I loved the Scorpius. Want to take the Scorpius out one more time. If I it feels like it did on that first run, then I am selling the Zephyr. Scorpius paddles real nice.

JawsOut.


#6 Wed, 06/17/2009 - 9:56am


Let's face it, if you live in Hawaii Kai, you'll want to do the breakers and go surf your canoe? Right? The temptation is too great to not do so. Most of the canoes recommended are the latest state of the art racing machines. Those go for anywhere from $2400 to $4000 previous owned and brand new. That's a lot of money for go bust up in the surf, so that's why I recommend the old canoes. With the old canoes, you'll not be afraid to experiment and do extreme things with them. This way you'll really learn how to handle and extract the most from your canoe. You won't learn anything if all you are going to do is baby your brand new $3800 canoe. Probably for under $500, you could pick up an old Honu Kai, retrofit it with studs, spinner knobs, new rear iako, foam cushion seat, slip in the 2-man rudder, change cables, reverse the ama, and you're ready to attack the Portlock break. Even take it to China Walls and ride the wash up and down the clifts (you'll never have as much fun with a $4000 boat). It's wide enough for my okole, short enough (20 ft) to fully fit inside the enclosed garage, and the planing hull will tame the breakers ewa of the blinking buoy.


#7 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 1:00am


kaoacaone,

We could reopen the old discussion on why there should be two "classes" of OC1s, the cheap entry level indestructible surf break tank and the higher-cost super fast high-tech racer, based on your last post.

But I believe Tiger and others have said here before that enough people aren't asking for the inexpensive, sturdy bombers. Supply and demand, eh.

I agree with you though. If you race, you need a race boat. But everyone should resurrect that old canoe sleeping somewhere in some backyard or garage and get it back out there in the fun stuff. That way you actually laugh a little every time it springs a new leak or gets a scuff because the ride was so worth it. There's no laughing when this happens with a $4k canoe.


#8 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 7:02am


Six As One: Thanks, for what I'm advocating is a healthy secondary (used) market for canoes, because it sustains the market for new canoes. After all, todays super fast high-tech racer becomes tomorrows "surf break tank." So, there's no need for "two classes." The modern one-man canoe is still in its infancy and not even 20 years old yet. Yet, almost every year new models and improvements keep developing. So let's keep it that way and support the used market, so there will always be new canoes to paddle........and used ones too for us poor paddlers can afford?


#9 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 11:27am


Guys, I think we're getting off track here. The man just wants good info and opinions about what is out there. Info such as types of boats, specs of the boats and how the boat rides and reacts to different conditions. It would be great to also know if there are demos available to try out. After everything is said and done I'm sure he will take all this great info and make a decision that is best for him.

Big boys"kick and glide"!


#10 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 3:08pm


Not sure if this will help you out but I went through some of the previous postings and here are some of the links that might contain useful info:

http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/4155
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/1036
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/4130
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/855

I believe Eckhart and Rambo also have personal blogs containing information on comparisons between the various OC-1 models - don't have that links with me at the moment but someone else may have them.


#11 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 3:26pm


It would be great to also know if there are demos available to try out.

Both Kamanu Composites and Outrigger Connection have Demo canoes at their shops for people to tryout before making their decision. Just got to call them and schedule a date to do it.

If you don't have a car/truck with racks to transport it, you need to check with your fellow club members to see if any of them that already have a car/truck with racks can help transporting a demo.


#12 Thu, 06/18/2009 - 11:30pm


Basically, it was a simple question: "What size ski to get?" And since OC-1's don't come in different sizes like kayaks do for a particular model, but only in an assortment of models of various shapes and sizes, we all suggested canoes that a 250+ paddler would be comfortable paddling. No further details, comparisons or specs were requested. At 235 pounds, I'm pretty much in the same boat as this paddler, for the canoes I suggested would perform differently if a lighter 135 pound paddler were to use it.


#13 Fri, 06/19/2009 - 11:53pm


Fusion .

Only way to go ...


#14 Sat, 06/20/2009 - 6:27am


mnewgent, the best advice I can give you is NOT to take any advice from fuzerider.


#15 Mon, 06/22/2009 - 9:55am


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