Stingray vs viper vs huki vs kaku

so has anyone paddled the new hurricane?? what kind of feedback is out there on it?

#1 Tue, 09/16/2003 - 9:22am

Stingray, then Kaku for sure. In smaller water the Hurricane is the best boat for paddlers under 200lbs if there is one available.

#2 Wed, 09/03/2003 - 9:14am
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The best piece of advice that I received when looking for an OC-1 was to try as many of them out as you can, then pick the one that is most comfortable for you. The reason being that you will stay on the water more with a comfortable canoe. Each of these canoes have their strengths and shortcomings, some coming down to personal preference. Dispite the differences between the canoes, the thing that makes the biggest difference is usually the paddler. Which Kaku are you interested in; the Elua or Kaimana?

#3 Wed, 09/03/2003 - 2:33pm

[quote="Anonymous"]In smaller water the Hurricane is the best boat for paddlers under 200lbs if there is one available.[/quote]

I saw a similar description for the Vantage which has the same overall length of the Hurricane (20'6") but smaller beam width (14.25" vs. 15").

See, http://www.wildercanoe.com/canoes/vantage.html

Sorry for my ignorance but why wouldn't the smaller Hurricane (as compared to the Viper, etc.) not fare well in "larger" water as compared to the other two? Does the longer hull allow the canoe to run faster on the bumps? Does the shorter hull affect the stability of the canoe (either pitch, yaw or roll)?

And while were on this topic, does anybody care to comment on the Hurricane vs. Vantage? I can't find any information on either boat and would like to try both of them out before buying an OC-1. I'm actually looking at those two, plus the baby nai'a that John Martin is currently making. That one measures 20'2" and weighs approx 26lbs for the glass version. Martin anticipates that the carbon version will weigh in at approx 17lbs, and with some luck, 16lbs.

Snarfblat

#4 Fri, 09/05/2003 - 1:43pm

Any other opinions? All input appreciated. Later, 1968

#5 Thu, 09/11/2003 - 10:39am

As far as I know, the reason that the Hurricane doesn't surf as well in the "larger" water is because it has less volume than most canoes, and a major problem that i hear about is that the nose will often bury in bigger surf. In my experience it's a really good all around canoe and really easy for beginners to get used to get used to... but they've always been a bit on the fragile side. And you guys are forgetting some very important boats, the Spica, Polaris and Kai's new boat whatever it's called. The Polaris has proven itself both in the flat water (With Aaron Napoleon's win in the oahu championships) and in rougher water (with kai and aaron's win in the molokai relay), the Spica is supposedly a flat water canoe but Lauren Spaulding completely dominated during the Molokai solo in it, it's pretty much the only canoe i've used this year and it really really handles in big ocean no matter if it's sloppy water or if the sets are lining up behind you, another important aspect of Kai's canoes is that they last and last forever, my Waveblade made by Kai fell off a Dodge truck (about a 6 foot drop) and survived without a scratch. I don't have a clue about the vantage but make sure you check out the post "Vantage Canoe, anyone got one yet?" theres some info by Mike Deese and he offers his email address for people to ask him about it. As far as the Kaku and Stingray.... I've not a clue.. Stingray won Molokai Solo with karel.. and Kaku is winning everything in California right? If i were buying a canoe right now i deffinetely would wait since there are so many new canoes coming out..
Luke

#6 Thu, 09/11/2003 - 1:09pm

[quote="luke"]And you guys are forgetting some very important boats, the Spica, Polaris and Kai's new boat whatever it's called. Luke[/quote]

Its called the Pegasus. Its supposed to be a cross between the Hurricane and Polaris. Its a smaller boat and is not in full production yet. Its still being tested. A photo of it appears in this months Pacific Paddler.

Snarfblat

#7 Sat, 09/13/2003 - 11:51pm

I haven't been hearing too many good things about it. From what I know (and that isn't much) it was manufactured in Malaysia and then they moved production over to China. From what I've been told, quality control (or lack thereof) remains a problem. The word is that the canoe may not be able to withstand "normal" usage.

#8 Wed, 09/17/2003 - 9:31am

Does anyone have any experience with the Kaku Kaimana yet?

#9 Wed, 09/17/2003 - 5:30pm

i,m from maui, and 90% of all the people that own hurricanes all leaked, even the new ones.It's a good boat but it"s very fragile. Maybe cause there not made in Hawaii.

#10 Thu, 09/18/2003 - 12:20am

[quote="luke"]And you guys are forgetting some very important boats, the Spica, Polaris and Kai's new boat whatever it's called. The Polaris has proven itself both in the flat water (With Aaron Napoleon's win in the oahu championships) and in rougher water (with kai and aaron's win in the molokai relay), the Spica is supposedly a flat water canoe but Lauren Spaulding completely dominated during the Molokai solo in it, it's pretty much the only canoe i've used this year and it really really handles in big ocean no matter if it's sloppy water or if the sets are lining up behind you, ...
Luke[/quote]

I spoke to Doug Locke(sp?) a couple of weeks ago about the Polaris and Spica. He's the guy that answers Kai Bartlet's listed number. He mentioned that both OC-1s are good canoes but are suited for the "bigger" paddlers, especially the Spica. He indicated that people in the 170lbs+ range might like the Polaris better than the Vantage or other small OC-1s. I suggest that if you are interested in either canoes, give him a call and demo the boats.

Snarfblat

#11 Fri, 09/19/2003 - 7:52am

Hey, while we are sort of on the subject, has anyone paddled/seen both the Stingray made in Hawaii and the Stingray made in Canada? How do they compare/ are they the exactly the same? Later, 1968

#12 Fri, 09/19/2003 - 10:14am

I think that both stingrays are the same mold. I have a Vantage and am 185 lbs and it seems to work fine for me. It's a good surfing and flatwater boat.

#13 Sat, 09/20/2003 - 6:10am

I own the CD's version of the Stingray (2003 model) and the only difference that I noticed from the HI version is the leash wrap is padded. Everything else looks the same, down to the carbon stingray underneath, other than some cosmetic badging.

#14 Mon, 09/22/2003 - 8:33am

How do you like your stingray? What made you chose it over other oc1s? THanks,1968

#15 Mon, 09/22/2003 - 9:36am

i have a canadian stingray (2003) and one from karel (early 2003). the canada boat is horrible. they dont use the same materials as karel does. thus the build quality is not the same. the seams are poor (thats being nice). the boat is extremely fragile. the mold is not the same as you cannot use the carbon iakos from hawaii in your canada stingray. the older boats leaked in various spots. the gelcoat is bubbling on the bottom in various spots. the seats are made by machine not by hand get yours from hawaii.
i bought the boat because karel's company name was on it, but the quality it light years behind. i am shocked that he allows it. the stingray is a nice canoe but get it from hawaii!! i am currently waiting on a vantage so i can sell my canada boat.

#16 Tue, 09/23/2003 - 8:23am

I like it so far, I mostly hoa in flat water with some occasional chops. A few factor was involved with getting the Stingray. 1. I live the NYC area so OCs are not easily available. 2. I know a few paddlers with Hurricanes and they all say the same thing about the gel cracks and occasional leaks. Plus the only Hurricane dealer near me was pricier than what I paid for the '03 Stingray. He was asking for $300 less than the Stingray even for a used '01 Hurricane. Which was also the case from a private seller asking same amount for an '01 Hurricane. 3. Huki was more than what I was looking to spend especially with the features that the Stingray already comes with as standard. A friend wants to trade me for his Huki. 4. Don't know if you looked at john Martin's but I didn't like the quality of their OCs, lots of leaks according to one guy i know that paddles out of where we train. Bottom like that so far I've had no leaks in either the hull or the Ama. There are some nice little quality touches that Stingray did on the OC. Like cable housing for the rudder cable, carbon friction clamp for the Iako so the screw doesn't eat away the aluminum everytime you tighten it.

#17 Tue, 09/23/2003 - 8:38am

Scooter, it sounds like you got a bad apple. Have you tried a warranty return? If it's an early 2003 boat I can't imagine they wouldn't want to back their product. I have a 2002 boat from the Cdn factory and it's rock solid. I've been averaging four days a week for the last year and a half and aside from replacing a couple rivets my Stingray has been maintenance free. The seams are solid and no problems on the gel coat. The only difference that I've noticed between the Cdn and HI boats is that the iakos can go about 0.5 inch farther into the hull on the Cdn boat. A friend picked up a used HI boat with carbon iakos I didn't have any problems inserting his carbon iakos into my Cdn boat.

#18 Tue, 09/23/2003 - 9:47am

Best thing to do is try out the various OC-1 that you can. Have you narrow it down to which one yet?

#19 Tue, 09/23/2003 - 3:58pm

Anyone know anything about the seal or sea lion canoes? Any info would be greatly appreciated

#20 Mon, 10/06/2003 - 6:05am

[quote="1968"]Hey, I am thinking of buying one of the above mentioned oc1s. The viper is used, but the rest would be new. Any advise/advantages to one over the other. I will be paddling in all conditions, but mostly withmild to moderate bumps. Thanks, 1968[/quote]

Kaku, Huki, Viper Stingray in that order. (just my prefence)

I echo what the other guy said. whatever your location, try as many as you can in the same water conditions.

#21 Fri, 10/24/2003 - 2:47pm

I'm a paddler way the hell over here in Virginia, was in California and Guam. My club bought 6-8 Stingrays from the Canada manufacturer. I haven't paddled mine yet but the others are experiencing lots of dings because so fragile and one canoe actually split at the seam. Another paddlers makes snapping and crackling noise when paddling open ocean. Just handling the canoe it feels so fragile. I'm beginning to wonder if I should have purchased mine from Hawaii. Damn, I wish I were back in Cali or the islands! It's too damn cold here for this island boy.

#22 Sat, 10/25/2003 - 6:26pm

Like I posted once before, my Huki V1-B is very strong, and I recommend them to anyone looking for a new boat. Mine took tornado weather (75+mph transverse winds strapped to my truck on the interstate) with no problem. I put a 1/2 inch surface crack in it by smacking it hard with my paddle during a windy paddle one day... but that's not the fault of construction..it actually chipped my wood paddle...

#23 Sat, 10/25/2003 - 7:32pm

[quote="da_piston"]I'm a paddler way the hell over here in Virginia, was in California and Guam. My club bought 6-8 Stingrays from the Canada manufacturer. I haven't paddled mine yet but the others are experiencing lots of dings because so fragile and one canoe actually split at the seam. Another paddlers makes snapping and crackling noise when paddling open ocean. Just handling the canoe it feels so fragile. I'm beginning to wonder if I should have purchased mine from Hawaii. Damn, I wish I were back in Cali or the islands! It's too damn cold here for this island boy.[/quote]

Hey whats up piston.. I wish is was in Hawaii too! Starting to feel the cold up in NY.. but anyways.
Sounds to me like the dings (if hit) would be normal because most new oc1's are extremely fragile! But I haven't used one of those canoes myself so... Now if the hull is soft that may be a different issue. I think most boats nowdays should be stiff enough so when you pick it up w/1hand is doesn't flex an inch or two into itself like my old fiberglass boat did. If it's a carbon boat and does that I would ask the manufacturer about it... heck maybe the cold prevented the epoxy from fully curing or something. :? Anyway just wanted to get accross that most canoes feel, and are relatively fragile.. but I'm sure I'm just telling you information you already know. Good luck & see you around! :D

#24 Sat, 10/25/2003 - 7:34pm

[quote="ericTN"]Like I posted once before, my Huki V1-B is very strong.[/quote]
alright!:P perhaps some are not fragile :) cool picture

oh btw if people are repairing dings, be sure to read these articles if haven't already:
http://www.ocpaddler.com/Topic8.html

#25 Sat, 10/25/2003 - 7:38pm