Pahoa

by Tiger Canoe

The Pahoa is a second-generation canoe built by Tiger Canoe. The Pahoa originates from the Kamau built in 2002. The 2003 season provided enough feedback to know exactly what changes he needed to make to the Kamau. The end result changed the performance of the canoe so much that it needed a new name. The Pahoa, or “Dagger” proved to be a choice canoe this year and the years to come.

The consensus for the Kamau was that it needed less rocker in the tail. With less rocker, there would be more control in the surf. The change in the aft of the canoe started below the center of the hull. Instead of changing the deck, Tiger pulled the hull down to give the canoe a longer waterline. This also added buoyancy in the tail lifting the canoe early in the bump resulting in a quicker response with less effort. The state championship proved to be the ultimate testing grounds in the surf.

For a canoe that is fast in the surf, the Pahoa definitely holds its own in other conditions. Tiger felt that he could increase the hull speed of the Pahoa in flat water. Less rocker in the aft meant a longer waterline and a faster canoe. The Pahoa holds a straight course in the flat with little shifting or swaying of the tail.

After the Pahoa’s final modification, there was a noticeable difference in the balance of the hull and ama. This added bonus allows paddlers have the ability to rig the canoe as light as needed with a perfect balance.