allipp@…
06/12/19 #25024

I just got back from Oahu where I finally got the opportunity to try out a Vega. All I can say is WOW.

When I first got to the island, the Vega wasn't available, so Jim Foti gave me their demo Think Uno Max to use. As soon as I got on that boat and paddled in small chop I could tell the boat was just too tippy for me. Trades were light and there was a small swell, so for most boats it should have been manageable, I did go outside the reef. where despite the mild conditions, the bumps were quite catchable and fun, but I never got at all comfortable in that ski. No rotation, short choppy strokes, you get the picture.

On the day before we left Jim contacted me to say that the Vega was in his yard and I could use it. I limped the Uno the 5 miles from Lanikai to Jim's house and the only place I was finally comfortable in it was the last mile in the totally flat canal going to his house.

Now to the Vega!!! I got the Vega pedals rigged to my specifications, and as soon as I sat in it I felt like I was at home. The boat feels like it just envelops you and that you are a part of it. I paddled out the canal to the ocean, where there was about 12 to 15 mph winds and 3 foot swell. Not daunting conditions by any means, but enough to get a feel for what the boat can do and big enough to make me very sketched in the Uno. No sketch factor at all going out into the bumps, no sketch factor turning, and then shazam! I caught a series of bumps and surfed like crazy. I was able to put full power to go for anything I wanted to. I purposely stomped on the rudder pedals and made radical turns which put the boat on its side, still no feeling like I was going in. The Vega has the stability of a high end intermediate boat! In my opinion it's very close to the stability of my Vault, and better than the Nelo 550.

While I really probably shouldn't spend the money on a new boat, as soon as I got in, I texted Kai to ask him if he'd have any discounted boats available after the Gorge! He said maybe.

Nicholas Cryder
06/12/19 #25025

Allan! So stoked on the Vega. Curious how you’d compare it to the V12? Also curious about the footboard assembly / bailer set up and haven’t seen pics… I have habit of breaking them. And if I’m not mistaken, didn’t Dennis pick one up?!

allipp@…

06/12/19 #25026

I've never been on a V12 so I can't compare, and just got back from Hawaii and haven't seen Dennis, so I'm not sure if he has one or not. If he did, he's a lucky guy!

Dennis Mowry
06/12/19 #25027

Yep, I've got one.
Still not a Gorge boat for me, although I did take it on a Rockin Valley Run.

Saturdays Bay paddle

The foot brace is quite thin, I'm thinking getting it rebuilt.
The scupper is a bit slower and recessed when closed, but it does have one.

Anyone want to buy an Elite S Carbon?

:D'Mow

Bob Putnam
06/12/19 #25028

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 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):

Zach Handler on Vega:

2) Also check out discussion of improving/improved 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.

Carl Tessmann
06/12/19 #25029

Agreed Bob, I was thinking that the Ion would be a fairer comparison to the Vega than the Uno max. I have been waiting until they resolve that foot plate system before I demo a Vega but it looks like they have it sorted now so I’ll give’er a whirl.

I gotta say though, that 20 min piece of downwind porn that Kai Wa’a put out with Kai Bartlett and Pat Dolan sure made me want to drink the cool-aid – a genius marketing piece!

From what I’m hearing, the Vega is a nice big water boat, but we don’t have consistent big water conditions. I want something that goes on the flats, compliments the forward stroke technique I’ve been obsessing over for a couple of years now, AND surfs like a champ. I know that is the claim of the Vega, but I think I need to try for myself - then try an Ion and a V-12.

What I am excited about is how this new product and associated marketing is spreading the surfski stoke! Gotta love more options!

Carl from Vancouver Island

allipp@..

06/12/19 #25030

The new footplate/pedal system has a short rail on either side of the boat. The rails are held in with 2 stainless steel screws on either side and can be configured all the way to the front, in the middle, or all the way to the back. Once configured bicycle type clamps can be loosened and then you slide the footplate and pedals forward or back to the desired position. There are cleats behind each pedal where you wrap the excess line around and around until the proper pedal angle is achieved. Not too much of a hassle if the rails are where you want them, otherwise you need a phillips screwdriver and a few minutes. The only reason I can think of that they wouldn't have the rail system span the entire length of the inner cockpit is weight. I don't know if the hassle of having to move the rails from front to middle to back is worth the few ounces of weight it saves. Why not just span the rail the entire length that it's needed?

As for the bailer, it looks like a permanently open one. I never messed with it to see if it opens and closes, and with the high rails really didn't take on any water.

Reivers Dustin
06/12/19 #25031

I find that paddlers often skip over the concept of “individual results may vary”. Even within brands I've found some models I can fly like a dream and some I can't stand. So many factors. Some guys with ape-hanger arms seem to fly the super deep buckets really well. And I've been stumped trying to explain to these guys why I can't. There are paddlers with really long backs who's stroke and rotation are a huge factor in how the boat behaves. We are absolutely blessed to have such quality designers and builders. None of them are wealthy, they clearly have our shared passion. And if you can take the time to explore, you'll find something wonderful in almost every boat. I'll never forget trying that first Uno Max when it found a particular wave-shape that it liked. I thought it was going to fly right out from under me.

Great 2-bits.

Bob Putnam
06/12/19 #25033
Edited 06/12/19

The video is definitely the best. There aren't many videos out there that really capture the sense of being in big water like that. And watching Pat Dolan's great technique is a very inspiring. Its interesting to hear Kai Bartlett say how he feels less encumbered surfing a ski as opposed to an OC. From the mouth of the OC God himself.