Outrigger Canoes (OCs)

Osprey

Seats: 1 » Length: 20’5” » Width: 15”

Osprey Overview

Every couple years or so the Outrigger Connection Design Team comes up with some ideas, either for a new canoe or on how to improve the existing canoe we have. For the Osprey in particular, the main motivation was to create a Low- Volume canoe, a canoe smaller than any of our previous designs. We took a lot of what we learned with the Zephyr and Fusion regarding rocker, seating position, etc. and began creating the Osprey. After countless hours of shaping, testing, reshaping, and testing again, the present shape was born. The Osprey is a foot shorter than the Zephyr, at 20 1/2 ‘ and far narrower, about 2 inches narrower at the foot wells.

Osprey has many new developments when compared to the Zephyr. A key feature that strikes you visually right away is the narrowness in the foot well area. This allows the paddler to paddle closer to the hull of the canoe! You can now get more leverage with each stroke and not worry about hitting the deck of the canoe.

The other major addition is the sliding seat with built in drain system. Now there is the option of having a sliding seat or a stationary seat and you don’t have to worry about the seating area well holding water in!

The ama on the Osprey is also new. We tested a few ama designs in the development of the Osprey and came up with a new design that really suits the canoe well. While testing, we found this ama design to be almost “invisible”, meaning that you hardly ever noticed it! It works with the paddler and canoe, not against them. That is key because some amas end up controlling you more than you control them and that is not good to say the least.

Other additions include a rear bungee storage system in addition to the front bungee and a single venturi drain instead of a dual drain. A custom molded venturi carbon fiber flap, far larger than any of our previous designs, improves drainage out of the seating well area.

The more the shape of the canoe developed the more it looked aggressive, like the Osprey. When looking at the sharp front of both the canoe and ama, it made perfect sense. The Osprey is daytime bird of prey that is found near bodies of water all around the world. It went perfectly with the canoe!

The Osprey is recommended for 190 lb. paddlers and under.

Product Detail

Available in Double Carbon or Kevlar/Carbon Layup

The Osprey comes equipped with the following:

• Single Carbon Fiber Venturi foot well drain
• Custom shaped removable foam seat according to your height and paddling style. Or, optional adjustable seat
• Includes one or two color design.
• Front and Rear Storage Bungee
• Drain system integrated into sliding seat track
• Aluminum iakos for strength
• Vertical connection with the AMA and easy adjustment

Options:

• Dakine Leash

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/osprey/

The Fuze

Seats: 1 » Length: 20'6" » Width: 16"

Fuze Overview

The One man outrigger market is getting more and more sophisticated. Time, when one design could satisfy the variety of paddlers is gone.

People are looking for specifics in each design which determines whether they buy the boat or not. Outrigger Connection’s response is the F U Z E . The Fuze is not a replacement of our latest design the FUSION but rather an addition for the lighter paddlers, from 170 lbs and below.

These paddlers now can experience the unmatched surfing agility of the Fusion without sacrificing speed in the flat water. Fuze is a scaled down Fusion, with the same hull design approach as a Fusion, combining “V” shaped design with the parallel chimes for fast release in the surfing speed (above 12 miles an hour).

The Fuze is 20.5′ long and 16″ wide. Same deep and comfortable stationary seat was incorporated into the boat design, similar like Fusion, providing paddler with great feel for the boat and great comfort.

The testing during the summer forced the designing team to alternate the seam line in order to give the front of the boat extra reserved buoyancy in up wind conditions. Fuze is equipped with the same ama and iakos as Fusion.

Product Detail

Available in Kevlar/Graphite lay up

The Fuze comes equipped with the following:

• Assisted footwell drains
• Custom shaped removable foam seat according to your height and paddeling style.
• Includes one or two color design.
• Aluminum iakos for strength
• Vertical connection with the AMA and easy adjustment

Options:

• Dakine Leash

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/the-fuze/

Fusion

Seats: 1 » Length: 21'6" » Width: 16"

Fusion Overview

After two successful seasons of STINGRAY, Team Outrigger Connection got together in July 2003 to discuss the possibilities of improving the Stingray hull’s performance. The general consent was that the hull just needs tiny changes mostly in the bow area and in the reserve buoyancy in the front of the boat. The desired numbers were negotiated and the prototype was built in August.

The hull was tested several times in variety of conditions, always one paddler in the Stingray and other on the new prototype. Through out of this meticulous testing several changes were made on the prototype to improve the prototype performance. The central chine was eliminated to gain more maneuverability and front rocker was fine tuned. New ama was finished and attached to the boat about 6′ more forward. The iakos exit the boat in the center and the lifting leverage was changed to make the lifting the ama way easier. The idea for new radical deep seat spearheaded the entire redesigning of the Stingray. It actually ended up as a biggest challenge for the designing team. The seat well was finished but didn’t fit into the existing hull. The only solution was to raise the hull in the seat area to accommodate new seat configuration and solve the problem with the dividing seam line coming high and creating the desired well for the seat. New symmetrical deck was shaped and bungee cord storage moved in the cockpit front. The same bungee provides tension on the foot pedals avoiding the central attachment of the extra pedal string. The drain plug was integrated in the rudder anti spin bump and is located in the lowest point of the deck.

The greatest challenge ended up to find the proper name for the new product that would reflect the entire designing project. Finally, when 3 boats were already out there, paddled by the sponsored paddlers, the word FUSION was uttered. YES, the elements were flawlessly flowing together, so the FUSION is the proper expression for our latest project.

The feedback from the sponsored paddlers is more then promising. The boat performs ideally in variety of conditions; the improvements are noticeable in critical conditions. The new seat provides more contact and control for the paddler. The control over the boat and stability improved tremendously, allowing the paddler to use more hips in the critical direction changes in the bumps. The deep seat is very gentle to the paddler’s spine, with eliminating the side vibration while balancing the boat.

Product Detail

Available in Kevlar/Graphite lay up

The Fusion comes equipped with the following:

• Assisted footwell drains
• Custom shaped removable foam seat according to your height and paddeling style.
• Includes one or two color design.
• Aluminum iakos for strength
• Vertical connection with the AMA and easy adjustment

Options:

• Dakine Leash

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/fusion/

Zephyr

Seats: 1 » Length: 21'6" » Width: 15.5"

Zephyr Overview

The ZEPHYR was developed in the beginning of 2007 after 3 successful seasons with the Fusion. The idea was to make a canoe that was a cross between the Fuze and Fusion, utilizing the best aspects from both designs. Intense testing began at the end of 2006 in the prototype, with changes being made as testing progressed.

We kept the length of the Fusion, but modified the nose with a higher seam line like that of the Fuze. This added a bit of reserve buoyancy to help keep the nose from going under in the bumps, but also kept a streamlined waterline for speed in the flat. We made the deck on the tail drastically smaller to minimize wind and wave resistance in side wind conditions. A rudder cover was added to make the tail sleeker as well. These changes in the nose and tail resulted in smoother and more straight forward ride in the bumps when compared to the Fuze or Fusion. The ZEPHYR seemed to be continuously going forward with more momentum, with less up and down movement; resulting in more straight line speed. The entire cockpit area (including the foot wells and both iakos) was again moved forward 1 inch. The raised seam line at the foot well area resulted in a dryer ride when going over waves or paddling in rough conditions. The ama rocker was modified to allow for the positioning of the front even higher than on the Fusion. This allows for more control of the ama because it rides further back, closer to your hip point.

The ZEPHYR is recommended as a Mid-Volume canoe for 160- 200 pound paddlers. It is our latest and most advanced OC-1.

Product Details

Available in Kevlar/Graphite lay up

The Zephyr comes equipped with the following:

• Assisted foot well drains
• Custom shaped removable foam seat according to your height and paddeling style.
• Includes one or two color design.
• Aluminum iakos for strength
• Vertical connection with the AMA and easy adjustment

Options:

• Dakine Leash

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/zephyr/

OC-2 Stingray2

Seats: 2 » Length: 24'10" » Width: 17"

OC-2 Stingray 2 Overview

The success of the Stingray’s hull put a pressure on OC designing team to replace the popular Viper Duo with new progressive design. The Stingray hull basics were our guidelines for new hull configuration. The goal was to improve surfing ability, surpassing Viper Duo agility and maneuverability. The redesigned rocker hull was tested and the outside chines were added to gain the water release at surfing speed, exceeding 10 miles per hour. The chines work surprisingly well especially at higher speed, providing the hull with fast release and the boat gains on agility. When the hull was finished the new deck was shaped to follow the Stingray’s characteristic. The extra attention was paid to the cockpit configuration, paddlers should be positioned as close as possible for better pivoting point in the waves. The seats were redesigned for better comfort, and the new sliding mechanism was added for easy and fast seat position adjustment. The positions of iakos was challenging in order to accommodate the new paddlers position and still keep only the back paddler inside of the iakos. When this problem was solved, new redesigned and more buoyant ama was completed and the entire rig was rigorously tested in all possible conditions. We still had to do little changes through the last testing process but in July 2003 the new STINGRAY 2 was introduced to the outrigger community and it has became the hottest seller since. The hull performs smoothly in virtually all conditions. The surfing ability is unsurpassed. The boat drops in the bumps easily it is very much controllable during the surfing phase and accelerates fast into the next bump, whether it is strait forward or the direction change is necessary.

OC-2 Stingray Detail

• Length: 24′ feet 10″ inches
• Width: 17 inches

Available in Epoxy Kevlar/Graphite Vacuum Bagged Layup

The Stingray comes equipped with the following:

• Assisted footwell drains
• Includes one or two color design.
• Aluminum iakos for strength
• Vertical connection with the AMA and easy adjustment

Options:

• Double stearing, front and back Call for Prices

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/oc-2-stingray2/

OC-4 Makaha

Seats:4 » Length: 23 » Width: 19

Available by Special Order Only

OC-4 Makaha Overview

In the summer of 2002 Outrigger Connections design team took up the task to design radical new OC-4 for surfing. We invited several TOP NAMES in the canoe surfing world to find out what would be the most up to date surfing canoe and ama shape. Using the comments from surfers like Mel Pu’u, Buffalo Keaulana, Brian Keaulana, Teene Forsyth and Todd Bradley, the OC team shaped the basic hull with similar lines and hull rocker profile as the MIRAGE but in the 22 foot range. First testing was in October and more volume was requested for the hull.

More calabash hull profile was obtained and new buoyant BIG ama was added to the equipment for a second round of testing. The prototype was performing satisfactory, minor changes in seat configuration were implemented. The end of November 2002 the new prototype was tested at Makaha Beach. The hulls performance was approved but the ama had to be re-designed to improve the ama ability and support the boat while riding the steep big waves. The high graphite arch bracket was designed to raise the rear iako away from being hit by the wave.

In December the final testing took place in Makaha and in front of Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki. The MAKAHA OC-4 performed to the complete satisfaction and excitement of the test riders and the work on the mold started immediately.

First boat was out of the mold in the end of February of 2003 and MAKAHA OC-4 was first time introduced in March at the Buffalo Classics at Makaha. First three places finishers were in MAKAHA OC-4 and the success of the design continues in 2004 and 2005. The winner of the Buffalo Surfing Classics was the MAKAHA OC-4 by Outrigger Connection.

Makaha Detail

• Length: 23′
• Width: 19″ on the gunnels at the top and 22″ on the bottom

Available in fiberglass lay ups:

The Makaha comes equipped with the following:

• Two color design
• Includes one or two color design.
• Ama and a pair of wooden iakos

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/oc-4-makaha/

OC-6 Mirage

Seats: 6 » Length: 45' » Width: 19"

Available by Special Order Only

OC-6 Mirage Overview

Mirage, 6 years in a row and winner of the Molokai Hoe with the record in 2000 and 18 Mirages in top 20 in 2005!!!!

Outrigger connection ‘s design team entered the OC6 market in 1997 with OC6 design(outrigger connection six). Team New Zealand won the Kona race and placed 3rd and in 1999 took second in the Molokai Hoe but the boat didn’t become popular. In January of year 2000 we decided to redesign the hull and we followed the concept of America Cup yachts . The hulls rocker is different that anything out there, it follows a smooth curve on the bow of the boat and the line straightens out towards the the stern almost to the straight line. This concept allows the boat to stay horizontal in most oceans conditions and the surfing is made easy forward instead of sliding down on the wave.

Mirage performs excellent in the flat conditions. Several tests were done and Mirage always came in ahead of the leading brands of OC6 canoes. Two prototypes entered the Molokai Hoe in 2000 and the results were fantastic. The Mirage finished 1st and 2nd out of 100 canoes and a new course record was established. The popularity of the MIRAGE was proven in 2001 regatta season in the Hui Waa division and during Waikiki McFarlane’s surfing regatta where all of the clubs entered the race using a MIRAGE.

Specifications

• Loaded waterline: 37 feet 8 inches
• Length:45 feet
• Width: 19″ on the gunnels at top and 21″ on the bottom
• Integrated Canvas Tracks
• Snap on Canvas System on Rear Manu
• Wooden Iakos

Available:

• Standart Lay Up

Options:

• Puffy Ama, for all OC-6
• Iakos, one pair:
• Canvas: Canvas with Neoprene
• Plastic hoops

More information is available at: http://outriggerconnection.com/oc-6-mirage/