Kai Waa Vega Arc

Kai Bartlett has a new Vega ski out. It is the Arc, which is their beginner model. 19’6” x 20.25” puts it in between a fenn bluefin and a Carbonology boost. It is a good deal longer and bit narrower than most v8 class boats. To me it looks like it has low rails, low volume tip and tail, and lots of rocker. I bet it surfs great. Scroll down the website to see it:

www.kaiwaa.com/vega-surfski-series

Zach, would you say that Kai Wa'a and Nordic Kayaks build quality are comparable ? Was the cost of getting your Vega delivered from Hawaii inordinate ?

As far as I can tell kai waa and NK are equivalent quality. I have owned both. In my opinion they set the standards as far as prepreg ski construction.

I got my vega in the mainland usa through paddle dynamics, which is now based in Tennessee. The skis are made in china so I would assume they come in containers from china direct to the mainland US. There was no shipping fee attached that i paid. Lighter stiffer and cheaper than other carbon skis. So if the design works for you they are a bargain.

Here I thought all their skis and outriggers were made in Hawaii. A little disappointing and misleading.

And Nordic kayaks are not made Sweden!

The only company still making boats in hawaii is Kamanu composites. But their OCs end up costing $6300 instead of $4700 for a Kai Wa’a boat made in the Ozone factory in china. I think all the other boat makers left Hawaii not to get rich but just to survive.

zachhandler wrote:

I bet it surfs great.

I borrowed the demo for a few days.

It surfs better than the V-9 for me. Much, much better.

It felt corky at first - almost wobbly like a narrower boat. Maybe it's a combination of the light weight and the waterline at rest. It's 1/4" wider than my 9, so I wasn't overly concerned about tipping over but it sure felt weird initially.

It certainly is fun to downwind. I started carefully, gradually moving into more challenging lines. After a few miles I was attacking everything with wild abandon. It inspires confidence.

It works better for me than the V-9 in every way. Holds a line much better across a wave. Self centering rudder is a huge help there.

Fit and finish is the best I've ever seen. Super light. Footwell is deep, well protected. Footplate is solid and very easy to adjust. FIt at calves is ideal - good feedback there. Comfiest bucket I've ever sat in.

This was on the first day. Such a fun boat.

I gave the boat back after 2 runs.
I didn't want to risk damaging someone else's ski.
Or, depriving anyone of the sheer pleasure of this boat.

$4300 seems like a bargain for the standard layup.
$5300 for Epic Elite layup, which is heavier.