Nai'a iki vs. Hurricane

I wanted to know if anyone can help me out. I was thinking about getting a canoe and I couldn't decide on the nai'a iki or the hurricane. I am a small woman who wants to use the canoe for training also to eventually compete in the one man session. If anyone has any tips or comments it would really help me out.

Submitted by paddlegirl on Fri, 01/23/2004 - 1:03pm



Both are good boats. Big Difference is Construction.
John Martin is a boat builder in Hawaii, and has been building canoe shells for some quite time, and always backs up his product.
the Hurricane is Manufactured over seas, but look at any warranty available.


#1 Fri, 01/23/2004 - 6:40pm


i've never been a hurricane fan, but i know they can be great canoes... i just felt a naia iki the other day and it's the lightest canoe i've ever felt.. the thing looks pretety sweet for smaller builds, try one out if you get the chance


#2 Fri, 01/23/2004 - 5:22pm


the 'iki is smaller than the "'cane" coming in at 20'2" while the 'cane measures 20'6". Martin told me before production that he was shooting for 16 - 17 lbs for the carbon boat. I don't know what the actual boats weigh now that he's in production. If you're looking for a light boat, the 'cane can't beat the 'iki in the weight department. Weight is a major factor in boat acceleration. Of course, there are a lot of other factors aside from weight that affect how the boat runs in the flat, small bumps and big stuff. You should try both boats before you choose. There is no good reason why you shouldn't or you can't. Demos for both canoes are available and they are free. :)


#3 Sat, 01/24/2004 - 7:56pm


wow member for less than an hr and brings up an old thread. sheez atleast stick to the newer ones idiot. you can spam all u like.


#4 Tue, 08/31/2010 - 12:06am


Since you're small, I would go with the Iki because it is small and easy to handle, You can handle it all by yourself on land and car topping it is easy without help. I bought a used standard layup model, from John Martin, so a 115 pound middle school kid could handle w/o help. Of course, the all carbon 17 lb. Iki is way lighter, but the kid can still carry the heavier standard layup canoe in light wind. And when the kid is in school, I find myself borrowing it more and more for go paddle, even though (at 200 pounds) I'm too heavy for it. Yes, the gunnels sink 1/2 inch away from the water, but once you pop that canoe and get it planing, it flys. I like it and I'm faster in the flat on it than the original bigger Naia. The Naia Iki is an entirely different canoe than the original Naia, for it has a different hull, cockpit and deck. It is not a smaller version of it. It even has a drain hole. Another thing to consider are emergency repairs and any custom adjustments that might have to be done to the canoe. With the Iki, it is simply an easy matter of driving right up to John's shop in Kaneohe and dropping it off. He can probably fix the problem while you shop at Windward Mall across the street? No worries - main thing.


#5 Tue, 08/31/2010 - 3:47pm


Eh koacanoe, Wut shop at the mall or go eat okazu-ya at Megumi's? Musubi w/ ume and panko fish was my breakfast choice this morning. Even when sneek in the obligatory andagi. Small kine onolicious. I agree with you about John Martin Designs. Ass one solid Portagee man. Hard for find guys with that kind integrity.


#6 Tue, 08/31/2010 - 6:59pm


hey braddah koacanoe,

you answering one question from 2004, I think paddlegirl has already made her decision. you one funny guy!!!!


#7 Wed, 09/01/2010 - 7:42am


i am a small woman 5'1 on a good day .i have a carbon and a fiberglass iki. i love them both. i have no trouble lifting either boat and can load them on my truck easily. i love the way the iki rides. very smooth. i dont think you can go wrong with the iki. john martin stands behind his product.


#8 Wed, 09/01/2010 - 11:36am


mobettatnu you right! Pardon me, but I was Whitney's hiding from KGB, so that's why the mistake. The wahine probably now on one "Peggy?" Or maybe I went buy her canoe? Because John said the wahine traded in her standard layup Iki for make one all carbon one.


#9 Wed, 09/01/2010 - 11:45pm


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