Thinking of buying a Solo Canoe?

Experimentation is the major design element for outrigger canoes. The sport is relatively new – boat designs began in the late ‘80’s and consequently their merits are continually debated. It is too early in the sport’s history to regulate design criteria. There isn’t enough of any one kind yet and no consensus has been reached as to the ideal design.Beyond looking at what canoes are winning races, it is difficult to determine who is making the “best” canoe. Really expensive doesn’t equate to really fast. Seems top paddlers win no matter which canoe they are paddling. Like buying a pair of running shoes – what’s most comfortable is ultimately the best. With that said there are several issues to consider when buying, as it will help you understand the manufacturers intensions. All boat builders experiment with rounder/flatter, lighter/heavier, shorter/longer, bigger/smaller, + ama drag issues.

► Rocker: Rocker refers to the hull curvature of a canoe. A canoe with lots of rocker tends to perform well in wind/wave/swell conditions. A canoe with less rocker tends to perform better in flat water. (Canoes with more rocker tend to be a bit shorter than canoes with a flatter hull.) Most solo canoes are generally constructed to accommodate rougher water as this makes up the majority of race conditions around the country. Unfortunately we have not seen a canoe specifically designed for pure flat-water racing. As a result, in the Pacific Northwest (where we race on a lot of flat water) we continually debate what canoe works best in these conditions.

► Length: Canoes are as short as 19ft and as long as about 24ft. The shorter the canoe the easier it should be to catch waves and maneuver in rougher water conditions. A longer canoe should feel smoother and get more glide in flatter water. Some designers try to create a compromise by building an all around canoe that performs well in rough and flat water. Unfortunately these design elements are diametrically opposed to each other and therefore these canoes aren’t outstanding in either condition but merely average in both. Since most people can’t afford to purchase different canoes for different conditions, all around canoes do offer paddlers a way to compete reasonably well in all conditions.

► Weight: Weight has become the crucial factor in designs and a principal element paddlers are considering (thinking the lighter it is the faster it will go). Unfortunately, weight is directly proportional to the amount of money you want to spend. The more you spend, the lighter the canoe can be. Lay-ups, in order of heaviest to lightest (and from less to more expensive) include: non-vacuumed fiberglass, non-vacuumed carbon reinforced fiberglass, vacuumed fiberglass, vacuumed carbon/ fiberglass, vacuumed all carbon fiber, vacuumed carbon/Kevlar. Standard fiberglass canoes can weigh more than 30 lbs while ultra
light carbon/Kevlar canoes can weigh less than 20lbs.

► Volume: Volume refers to width & depth of the overall hull shape. A larger person will want a canoe with larger volume to keep them buoyant in the water. A smaller paddler will want less volume to help them more easily get the canoe up and running.

► Ama/Iaku design: Each manufacturer creates an ama and iaku they feel will keep the canoe stable with the least amount of ama drag as possible. Some systems exist where the ama and iakus can be adjusted to make the canoe more or less stable depending on the paddler’s skill level. Best ama designs are ones where there is the least amount of ama contact with the water.

► Craftsmanship: Really important to consider is quality craftsmanship. The last thing you want is a canoe that leaks, has soft spots, chip/cracks easily, or has esthetic defects. Ask lots of questions: Where is the canoe manufactured? What problems have other paddlers had with various brands? If you purchase a canoe that is shipped from California or Hawaii, how will issues be resolved if they arise? Does the company have a local representative that can help you resolve issues? Do they have a local shop they contract with for repairs?

Solo outrigger canoes are growing quickly in popularity. Paddlers have the freedom to be on their own - to paddle when and where they want. A canoe’s transportability via car roof racks allows the paddler to train and race in a variety of water conditions and scenic areas. Training on solo canoes allows paddlers to prefect their technique - many are training with GPS systems to track their speed and distance.

Another other important factor is that even beginners can quickly find themselves at ease on a solo canoe. Unlike the fear of entrapment in sit inside kayaks or the instability problems of a surf ski, outrigger canoes are more stable and easier (because of the ama feature) to get back into if one flips over (hulies).

As race venues expand and manufacturers continue to perfect canoes, the sport is sure to continue growing at a rapid rate. It is currently estimated that the solo outrigger division is the fastest growing paddle sport in Hawaii, surpassing that of kayaking and surf skis.