Rules for OCs for racing - Single rear Iako/Ama? Allowed?

Pittbrah

Hi Everyone,
Just out of curiosity I was wondering why all OCs use a double Iako (front and rear) connector to attach the Ama to OCs (more so OC-1s)? Is it tradition? Is it a requirement that all Outriggers have two Iakos to be classified as an OC? I'd like people's opinions or know how on this one. If a builder builds an OC-1 with a rear Iako connector only (which should be lighter faster smaller) would the boat qualify for racing?
Thanks

Submitted by Pittbrah on Tue, 11/30/2004 - 4:13am

keizo

I was bored, and avoiding homework, and this was the result. I would imagine the rear iako would need a cross strut behind it for support so it wouldn't twist if someone were to build an ama like that.

#1 Tue, 11/30/2004 - 9:44am

luke

i've seen a very ugly canoe in california with one iako... i think the whole thing was made out of plastic though

#2 Tue, 11/30/2004 - 10:00am

Pittbrah

Thanks for the Photoshop hack ;-) My question however has more to do with whether this type of rigging would be in accordance with racing rules and whether or not a boat like this would qualify as an OC-1 for racing. Also if anyone has paddled an R&D mock like this how functional is the boat. It should be faster (less drag from the Ama, less weight) however how would it handle open ocean water conditions (i.e. stability?) ?
Thanks for everyone's input
Mahalo
Dan

#3 Wed, 12/01/2004 - 5:01am

ocean98383

I remember seeing a picture of an OC-1 manufactured in Australia that only had the rear iako and a stubby ama. I did a quick search of our (PNWORCA) equipment rules, and I didn't find any rules that mentioned the number of iako a OC-1 was to have. Good question.

#4 Thu, 12/02/2004 - 12:00pm

Openocean

With the exception of Australia, I am not aware of specific rules related to OC-1 construction. Oz like's 'em heavy... all I know...
fun discussion, it may be possible on the placid lakes of ON, but this would be like running a race car with shocks on only one wheel.. you can, but WHY?
I'd expect the torque/flex on the canoe from open ocean racing would make short work of it. rigging the footprint of the ama lighter and smaller using 2 iakos would be more effective.

#5 Fri, 12/03/2004 - 1:40pm

Pittbrah

That is exactly the goal. Using two rear iakos with a smaller possibly larger volume Ama. It's the rear half of full length Amas currently that provide the majority of the byuoyancy and stability for OCs.

#6 Tue, 12/07/2004 - 8:30am

On Hawai'i Island there is no rule for that specifically (we don't like rules), There is a rule however, about the safety of a canoe. If the race director has the opinion that the craft is not safe enough for that event, he can prevent it from being enterd in the event.
RB

#7 Tue, 12/07/2004 - 4:59pm

Openocean

you're right that it's the rear of the ama that provides the floatation and the stability, but its the front of the ama that rides over bumps, provides stiffness.
why would they need to be rear iako? spreading them out gives shock absorbtion and stability if needed.I'd have to see a sketch to understand the logic.. I asked a group of paddlers and the thought was that the ama would get caught on waves and be too flexy to be effective.
there was a guy in Vancouver last year with a "Viper like" OC-1 from South Africa with PVC strapping for iakos. the ride was so unstable and mushy, I fell off on the first wave.. he thought the softer the iakos the more forgiving the ride. the hull was great , but the ama iako was so mis matched it did more harm then good.
Rig the canoe light, work on your balance and learn to paddle with the ama in the air. then it doesn;t mattre how big it is.. ( unless you have issues with friction through the air? :)

#8 Thu, 12/09/2004 - 7:53am

Pittbrah

Let's say the boat is made very strong (carbon/kevlar/vacuum bagged - pretty much the norm) so flex-impact is not an issue. Plus the Iakos are still aluminum or stainless steel and their connection with the boat deck is reinforced again to be strong (really no different than a front-rear Iako setup for current OCs). If you look at a Surfski, wave reaction is really dictated by the design of the bow and lines of the boat and reducing the Ama footprint for this type of OC should reduce water turbulence between the Hull and Ama while reducing drag as well (never mind the fact it will be lighter since it's smaller). Having a smaller Ama does not increase it's ability to be caught by waves in my opinion (just look at the current designs of the Tiger Pahoa and Kai Wa'a Ama - 50% of the Ama is above the waterline anyway). the Ama would have less length and surface area and the rest of the wave would be caught by the bow to cockpit area of the boat which can handle it more effectively. I agree with you that an Iako/Ama being too light makes for a very tippy boat so weight/volume will have to be considered carefully.
If you can paddle with the Ama in the air 50% of the time in a two hour+ race then you are my paddling hero!!! ;-) . The goal is to reduce Ama drag and surface area period without having the paddler paddling in weight shifted positions that are not neutral for the body for extended periods of time.
Thanks for everyone's input. It has been fun and interesting.
Mahalo

#9 Thu, 12/09/2004 - 11:21am