Pacific Paddler, August 2017 - 24

Kamanu Composites V1, Ka'iwa
What is a V1?

V1 stands for one-person va'a. The Tahitian term
va'a is used to differentiate it from an OC-1 (oneperson outrigger canoe). V1s are traditionally
defined by an open cockpit and no rudder.

Is it hard to paddle?

Because you have to steer with your paddle, the V1
has a much steeper learning curve than the OC1. If
the wind is blowing hard from the side, you may
have to take 100 consecutive strokes on one side to
compensate. When you're trying to catch a wave, it
can be really difficult to simultaneous apply explosive power while turning the nose in the direction
you need to go. And then when you drop in on the
wave, you need to put all of your focus into keeping
the canoe straight. But, the challenge and purity of
steering with your paddle is also what makes it so
rewarding.

What conditions do V1s
work best in?

The direction and speed of the wind determines
whether a V1 is suitable. Because the hull is more
efficient, an experienced V1 paddler can be faster
in flat water and upwind than they would be on
an OC-1. In straight downwind conditions, V1
paddlers are generally only slightly slower than
their counterparts on an OC1 just because the canoe
can be harder to connect between waves. As the
wind comes more from the side, V1 paddling gets
progressively more difficult because the canoe will
always want to round up into the wind. Novice V1
paddlers should not go out on windy days or downwind runs until they have spent a lot of time on the
canoe.

How do V1 designs differ
from OC1?

We believe that the beauty of the V1 comes from
the connection between the stroke, the canoe, and
the ocean. To maintain control without a rudder
your stroke is being continuously formed by the
ocean. And va'a design is forged out of this interaction between the paddler and the water. What
makes a canoe go fast doesn't make it go straight;
what makes a canoe go straight doesn't make it
responsive in the surf; and what makes a canoe
responsive in the surf doesn't make it go fast.
Rudderless design is a balance between these three
competing features.
How do you keep the cockpit from filling up with
water?

In rough ocean conditions, the cockpit will take
in water. All of our Ka'iwa come with a footpump
that attaches to the footbrace which will allow you
to suck water out with every stroke. While the
footpump will keep the canoe dry in most ocean
conditions, it is possible to fill up the cockpit after a
huli. The canoe will always have positive buoyancy

Pacific Paddler august 2017

(because bulkheads seal off the bow and stern), but
it is important to practice recovering from a huli to
make sure that you are able to partially drain the
canoe by pushing the cockpit upwards as you flip it
back over. Even with a footpump, it is important to
always bring a bailer with you.

Where do people race V1s?

Other than Hawai'i, V1s are the dominant form of
racing craft throughout Polynesia. They are also
used exclusively in the IVF World Sprints and IVF
World Distance Championships. There is also a
growing contingent of dedicated V1 paddlers in
Hawai'i who are entering each island's OC1 series.

Why did you decide to
make Ka'iwa?

We are always tinkering with improvements and
we've been planning to update the Aukahi for a long
time. Designed and released in 2009, it was our first
V1. Because the Aukahi has very little rocker in the
front, its long waterline makes it efficient in the flat
water and its large midsection gives it the volume
needed for rougher conditions. However, the volume
and length also make it a bit unwieldy for many
paddlers. While the long waterline through the nose
helps gain speed and efficiency, it also gives the
Aukahi a narrow window of control. The steering is
stable for a 10-15 degree window, but once the bow
of the canoe leaves that small window, the bow will
often control the boat forcing you to either spin out
or expend a lot of energy trying to hold it straight.
Our goal with the Ka'iwa was to widen that window
of control and to make a V1 that would be fast in all
wind angles and ocean conditions.

verable, having less windage, and being able to fit
better into an open ocean trough. We were also able
to move both the center of buoyancy and weight
of the paddler forward, which enables the canoe to
drop in easier without sacrificing speed. The final
improvement was to tighten up all the features on
the deck to give it a lower profile than the Aukahi,
so it's less affected by cross winds.

What's been the response?

The Ka'iwa is the best rudderless we know how to
build, and we believe it's the best all-around V1 on
the water. But we're a bit biased, so don't take our
word for it! Get in touch with us to schedule a demo.

Do you offer V1 lessons?

Yes! If you live on O'ahu or Kaua'i, contact us at
info@kamanucomposites.com to schedule a V1
lesson.

What was the design
process like?

Using our Pueo as a rough starting point, we
modeled a hull that we knew was both efficient and
could surf well. Then we started stretching it out to
gain efficiency and control until our software based
drag estimates stopped improving an appreciable
amount. This left us with a length 6" shorter than
the Aukahi and many other V1s. Getting the same
flat water speed out of a shorter length comes with
the added benefit of making the canoe more maneu"Ka'iwa accomplished a few really good things. You have the control to squeeze out 3-4 more strokes
to get into bumps than the Aukahi. And it feels much less mid ship float, so it can drop in way later than
you'd expect. Like I thought I was too late to get in on a couple, but once the poke is pau, it can drop in
on its own. It can also pound over bumps really well." - Christian Marston

"Kamanu Composites said this was the second Ka`iwa V1 off the production line. I waited 8 months
and sold 2 boats for this but it was soooo worth it!. On her maiden voyage yesterday I did a 14 mile
upwind/downwind from Kaimana towards Hawaii Kai and back in light trades. This V1 is much easier
to control than my previous one. Going upwind on a V1 is even better than an OC-1 because the nose
pokes through the chop rather than up and over for a much smoother ride. Going downwind was super
fun as I could steer and stay on the bumps without too much trouble with my limited V1 experience,
which is saying a lot. Best of all is the satisfaction of riding something hand crafted with pride right
here in Hawaii. As you can see it's a beautiful and precise work of art." - Jeff Chang

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler, August 2017