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--- kai_wa_vega_2019 [2025/03/23 19:49]
127.0.0.1 external edit
+++ kai_wa_vega_2019 [2025/04/03 19:00] (current)
pstureavley
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-===== Kai Wa'a Vega vs Think Uno Max =====
+====== Kai Wa'a Vega vs Think Uno Max ======
 [[:surfski_tables|Main Surfski Specs Table]]
 See also [[:vega_scuppers|Vega\Flex Drainage Improvement]]
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+<WRAP indent>
+===== Initial Discussion =====
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+<WRAP indent>
 **allipp@…** \\
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 :D'Mow
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+</WRAP>
+===== Vega Deep Bucket & Paddling Posture =====
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+<WRAP indent>
 **Bob Putnam** \\
 /12/19 #25028
-I've paddle all 3 skis, Vega only a couple of times, Uno Max - extensively, V12 Extensively. We have a Vega in our warehouse as a demo for Ozone reps on Van Island. Come and test it against the V12. Here's my 2-bits:
+I've paddled all 3 skis, Vega only a couple of times, Uno Max - extensively, V12 Extensively. We have a Vega in our warehouse as a demo for Ozone reps on Van Island. Come and test it against the V12. Here's my 2-bits:
 I always maintain when you are buying a ski you should be looking at the whole package. Its easy to create a nice hull and deck, but the bits and pieces can really make or break a surfski. The** Vega** is definitely light, and the finish is good. As Alan pointed out it is stable too. This is due to the low seating position and deep bucket. Remember for every design feature there is a plus and a minus. Deep bucket = good stability, but I felt it compromises paddling posture. The lower your butt is in relationship to your heals makes it more difficult to sustain good paddling posture. The other challenge with the deep bucket is that when you swamp it holds a lot of water. That's fine if you have a high speed bailer like the Epic closable bailer or a Debrito bailer. But the bailing system on the Vega, as Dennis pointed out is not "high speed" and I question how durable it will be. Definitely as Alan pointed out, the **Uno Max** is an elite level surfski that is challenging for intermediate-advance paddlers especially in chop, I think the Think **G3 Ion** would be a better comparison to the **V12 or Vega**. The **Ion** is a good surfer and more stable than the Uno Max. Also remember Think has made most recent generations of the Uno Max more stable too. The **2nd Gen V12** is really outstanding in my opinion. A great Gorge ski and relatively fast on flat water. Funny enough, I find it more stable in rough conditions than I do in the flat. I feel in the Gorge I can "point and shoot" in any direction with good stability. I've had several people say, and I agree, its the most comfortable seat around, except for Dean Jordaan who said "I hate that seat, but he loves the ski. But hey I've determined after years of observation, **everybody's butt is different**. **Paddling position on the V12 is excellent**. So back to my point about the **"Whole package"** The G2 - V12 you have a ski that surfs like a champ, this year, Pat Dolan won M2M on the Vega, but prior to that he was winning on the V12, the new Ultras are coming in at 23 lbs, Lighter if you buy Elite construction. **The Epic bailer is a game changer** and can drain a swamped cockpit in 10 seconds. **I think if you compare the V12 - Vega they are pretty close, surf-ability on-par, stability on-par, with the V12 your get the added benefit of strong construction, great bailer, easy to use footboard. I think the Vega is definitely a great ski, BUT is it the Silver Bullet everybody is making it out to be?**
-<<
+----
 //Editor's Note://
-//1) Bob's comment about 1st gen Vega paddling posture is worth paying attention to. 1 year later (June 2020) Whatcom Paddlers got the following post from Zach Handler explaining why he was selling his 1-year old Vega://
+//1) Bob's comment about 1st gen **Vega paddling posture** is worth paying attention to for folks with back issues. 1 year later (June 2020) Whatcom Paddlers got the following post from **Zach Handler** explaining why he was selling his 1-year old Vega (but note also that as of 2025 many paddlers have owned and extensively paddled the various Vega surfski models without issue with their buckets, and the Arc in particular does not have as deep of a bucket as the top of the line Vega)://
-//<WRAP center round tip 90%>\\
+**//Zach Handler on Vega:// **
-I love this boat. It is the best downwind ski i have ever paddled, and it is not even close. I have owned v12G2 and Elite S and they do not compare for me. The vega skis (flex is the same way) have this low volume tail that sinks into the wave. This keeps them right at the top of the wave at the sweet spot with very little tendency to plunge into the trough. They hold the wave a long time. Steering is pinpoint and bizarrely intuitive. The ski just wants to follow the wave and turns itself in the right direction as the wave intersects with other waves and changes shape. It sounds like voodoo but everyone I know who has paddled a Vega notices it. Construction is 21 pounds, seamless prepreg carbon with no stringers inside and very stiff. I need to sell the ski because my back is not tolerating the low seating position. I have a fused lumbar spine and stiff hamstrings and my back has been getting a bit worse this year. Downwind I am ok as the boat is mostly pointing downhill, but on the flat it is too much strain for me.\\
+//<WRAP center round tip 100%>\\
+"I love this boat. It is the best downwind ski i have ever paddled, and it is not even close. I have owned **V12G2** and **Elite S** and they do not compare for me. The **Vega** skis (**Flex** is the same way) have this low volume tail that sinks into the wave. This keeps them right at the top of the wave at the sweet spot with very little tendency to plunge into the trough. They hold the wave a long time. Steering is pinpoint and bizarrely intuitive. The ski just wants to follow the wave and turns itself in the right direction as the wave intersects with other waves and changes shape. It sounds like voodoo but everyone I know who has paddled a Vega notices it. Construction is 21 pounds, seamless prepreg carbon with no stringers inside and very stiff. I need to sell the ski because my back is not tolerating the low seating position. I have a fused lumbar spine and stiff hamstrings and my back has been getting a bit worse this year. Downwind I am ok as the boat is mostly pointing downhill, but on the flat it is too much strain for me."\\
 </WRAP>//
-//2) Also check out discussion of improving/improved [[:modifications#drainage|vega drainage]]//
+//2) Also check out discussion of improving/improved [[:modifications#drainageair_pressure_equalization|Vega Drainage]]//
 //3) Don't underestimate how much you can change the geometry of a seat with padding. Within any limitations you might potentially impose by interfering with stability - if you are adding padding underneath your butt you can change your seat height and your interaction with your leg thrust, rotation, etc. AND you can change the tilt of you seating position more than you might imagine with some well placed padding. But you will have to experiment and test padding configurations to determine whether you can solve any problems you encounter with a surfski seat design.//
-//<<//
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+</WRAP>
+----
+===== Continuation of Vega vs Uno etc =====
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+<WRAP indent>
 **Carl Tessmann** \\
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 {{youtube>JYuJpeBG57I?large}}
+</WRAP>
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