Best of Both Worlds
In designing an all around canoe, it is a battle of give and take. Traditionally surf canoes did not perform well in the flat, and flatwater canoes did not perform well in the surf. With the Vela, Kai has tried to find a balance between the two, taking lessons from both the Ares and the Draco that allow paddlers to get on bumps easier and hold the glide longer. Recommended for both novices and experienced paddlers alike, the Vela is streamlined and efficient, needing energy to keep moving.
Refined Design
Kai has a longstanding reputation for designs that perform in the surf and the Vela is no exception. And seeing how well the Draco performs in the flat, Kai brought those lessons to his next OC1. As a result the Vela features a blunt nose, pinched bow, and less volume than the Ares for a streamlined glide in the flat without compromising surf performance.
Comfort & Connection
The Vela has a deeper footwell than previous designs alongside slightly raised gunnels, keeping water out and locking in the paddler. It also features an ergonomic seating position, a wider seat well, and a longer cockpit to allow for a wider range of heights.
Measurements
Length
20ft 11in 6.394m
Beam
16.25in 410mm
Nose width
7.75in 199mm
Tail width
8.75in 222mm
Standard model for customization, Pro model for weight
The Vela comes in two versions: Standard and Pro. Standard Vela allow more freedom for personalization while Pros are made as light as possible.
STANDARD
In designing a Standard Vela you can choose from 16 colors for the hull, ama, and logos in any combination you'd like. And you can add customizations, like a deck-hull split, a colored cockpit, graphics from our catalog, or ones of your own. Standard Vela also come with fitted dust covers for the hull, ama, and iakos.
Average Weights
Hull
16.9lbs 7.67kg
Hull and Accessories
18.2lbs 8.27kg
Fully Rigged
24lbs 10.87kg
PRO
Vela Pros are lighter than Standards by an average of 1.8lbs|0.82kg. The layups are essentially the same - almost all of the weight reduction comes from limiting the amount of paint used and sanding what there down to a thin layer. This gives Pro models a distinctive sanded-through look. Because of this, Vela Pro hulls can only be 5 colors (Pro Grey, Pro White, Pro Blue, Pro Green, and Pro Yellow) and hull customization options are limited to coloring the cockpit and logos. However, the ama can be any color and, unlike standard models, so can the iakos. Vela Pros also come with a second rudder and a set of UV-resistant fitted marine canvas covers for protection from long-term outdoor exposure.
Average Weights
Hull
15.1lbs 6.85kg
Hull and Accessories
16.4lbs 7.45kg
Fully Rigged
22.2lbs 10.05kg
Kai Wa'a 3.0 Ama
The Vela comes with the popular Kai Wa'a 3.0 ama, which was introduced with the Draco in late 2021 and included with all Ares produced since then. It has less rocker and more evenly distributed volume than it's predecessor, providing extra stability when needed while staying light.
Safe, Responsive, and Feather-light Steering
The Vela features lightweight carbon pedals with titanium hardware that will never corrode. The steering cables are Dyneema, an ultra high-strength, low-weight composite fabric that's twice as strong as stainless steel cable at 1/5th the weight. It has a covered self-centering rudder mechanism that keeps the canoe moving straight when the paddler stops pressing the pedals - especially important in the unlikely case that your cable breaks mid-paddle. And you can choose from 6 prepreg carbon-titanium rudders to fit conditions: from a 4" for minimal drag in the flat to an 11" for grip in the biggest conditions, plus swept-back options to keep weeds off.
Ozone 4" Flat Water
Kai Wa'a Flat Water
Ozone Weed
Kai Wa'a Mid Water
Ozone Standard
Kai Wa'a Gale Force
Outriggerzone construction
Outriggerzone canoes like the Vela are unique in being built as a single, seamless piece, reducing weight and eliminating weak points like glue lines. Outriggerzone canoes are also made with prepreg carbon fiber, a construction method adopted from the aerospace industry, which has high-tempature-curing resin impregnated into it. This allows us to carefully control weight, eliminate dilutents, and deliver a canoe that doesn't deform over time.
