SOUTHERN OUTRIGGER

Wahutu W2

Wahutu W2 is in production after successful development of various
prototypes having cockpits with the foot-bailer facility.

The foot-bailer cockpit design was conceived by SouthernOutrigger design 10 years ago.
It allows a waka to be bailed by a kicking motion in the foot-wells, which
pushes water into a trap, forward of the heel brace, allowing it to drain
away.  Since the water trap prevents water entering the waka from below
gunwale level, the hull retains its integrity as a vessel, as well as
enabling the craft to be used in rough water without cockpit covers.

The waka structure includes gunwales (raised rails on the hull topsides,
same as found on traditional 6 man waka), eliminating the usual weakness  
(breaking in half), which is common with other locally manufactured W2's.
This extra hull depth and stiffening also improves the structural strength in
comparison to sit-on craft, which have nominal hull depth for length, considering
the weight that is borne by them.

Along with the genuine waka configuration of sit-in cockpits, is the lashing
system for kiato attachment and adjustment, providing the ama with a firm
but springy ride. No rattling of kiato as found on spring button fixing
systems and the recommended carrying of safety lashing for open water use is
a permanent solution.

Kiato are available in the option of aluminium, wood or carbon fibre (wood
and carbon fibre at extra cost compared to standard aluminium kiato).

Dimensions of a Wahutu are compact, with overall length of 7.2 Metres being
no longer than a W1. Short hull length is made possible by the W2's reliance
on rudder steering, given that paddle steering is impracticable on a two-man
waka (Tahitian Va'a are either one or three man craft for this reason) so
the reduction of wetted area drag due to shorter hull makes it possible for
paddlers to compete favourably with the surfski type  OC's.

Offered at a price which is similar to that of imported OC1's, NZ paddlers
can be competitive in local open water conditions, with winning potential second to none.

Basic Specification

Standard specs include durable gelcoat finish (in customers choice of
colours at negotiated price), on e-glass polyester laminate. 
Optional laminates of higher spec are available at a price to suit.
The waka has bulkheads that divide it into 4 separate, watertight
compartments.
Weight of standard spec Wahutu is 22Kg, but considerably less weight is
possible if gelcoat is substituted by spraypaint (at extra cost).

Price: $4500 (standard specs)

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W1's
SouthernOutrigger W1 models have option of either open cockpit with sprayskirt or foot-bailer cockpit insert. The foot-bailer cockpit has a water trap and bailer outlet above the water on the ama side, no hole in the bottom to flood the footwells or else suck air under the hull if the so called 'venturi' effect assists draining. This insert adds about 1.5 KG to the total weight.
Waka is available in custom colour decks, ama and trim (within limits)      2010 prices available shortly. 

Wahu W1

SouthernOutriggers Wahu model W1 (which was produced before the Australian sit-on OC was given a similar name) was designed to fulfill the dual need for paddlers who wanted a canoe for use in NZ rough water conditions, as well as for use in National competition where rudders are not allowed.  Owning 2 canoes is not always an affordable or viable option, when paddlers spend most of their time on the water, paddling off the coast, and only 2 days a year in competition on sheltered water.

The Wahu is not so much a Tahitian va'a with a rudder fitted, as some other NZ made W1's tend to be, but a rough water canoe with the ability to be paddled well without a rudder. This design objective is achieved in compromising the rudderless paddling ability more than open water ability, where a Wahu will compete with any sit-on OC of the same weight.

Low weight is more challenging to achieve with a proper cockpit type canoe rather than a boat shaped container/tube with holes through it for foot placing (a sit-on craft). Although carbon fibre vac bagged laminate with spray paint finish does allow the weight to be reduced, cost becomes disproportionately high for a small weight advantage. A Southern Outrigger Wahu is made from 8 different moulded parts compared to 2 basic parts, in the case of a sit-on OC, and National competition calls for 16Kg min weight.

Basic specification
E-glass polyester, or vinylester laminate, with gelcoat finish is the most economical option regarding materials specification, providing a weight of under 16 Kg for the waka.

Fintail specifications:

SouthernOutriggers Fintail is a W1, relating to the Tahitian type va'a, having excellent tracking ability for paddling rudderless. In order to suit general NZ requirement for steering facility, this waka has plumbing to facilitate rudder fitment.

The fintail is a feature unique to Southernoutriggers, created as a result of having the widest section of the waka (beam) behind the cockpit. Consequently, the hull lines converging towards the tail create a concavity where they staighten out to meet the keel rocker.
The result of hull lines curvature, is a tail end that is no wider than a fin, hence the name 'Fintail'.

This canoe has a durable gel-coat finish and weighs in at 16Kg 

 

Price:  2010 prices to be updated shortly