2013 Rigging an O6 Koa Racing Canoe 1-31-2013

Rigging an OC6 Koa Racing Canoe

The ama (float) for the Kakina is made from native wood.

Rigging an OC6 Koa Racing Canoe

The 'iako (boom) is placed on the ama and hull. Before the rigging starts the riggers measure from the gunnel to the center of the ama. This establishes the balancing point. The shorter the distance between the ama and the canoe, the faster the canoe will go; however it is less stable. The wider the ama is set, the more stable the canoe will be, but will go slower.

Rigging an OC6 Koa Racing Canoe

The rigger uses his weight to stretch the rigging cord around a coconut tree to eliminate the stretch before the rigging. Stretching the cord helps the rigging not come loose when the cord gets wet. To rig the ama to the 'iako you need about 50 feet of canoe twist rigging cord which is 3/16 inch poly/cotton mixture. To rig the 'iako to the wa'a, you need approximately 80 feet of cord.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Set the 'iako on the ama, matching the male and female knob slots.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wind the cord around the knob and then through the front hole on the ama. Pull it tight. The most important thing when rigging is to ensure that throughout the entire process you are keeping tension on the cord and holding it tight. If it's not tight, when the cord gets wet, it loosens and your canoe could fall apart.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wind the cord around the knob and then through the front hole on the ama. Pull it tight.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wrap the cord around the knob a second time and through the back hole on the ama. Keep the cord out of the sand.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Repeat the wrapping three more times. Tighten each wrap. Wrap them orderly so each wrap lies flat next to each other (not on top of each other).

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wrap the cord around the base of the 'iako four times, tightening with each wrap.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wrap the cord around the base of the 'iako four times, tightening with each wrap.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wrap the cord around the base of the 'iako four times, tightening with each wrap.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

Wrap the remainder of the cord around the 'iako, keeping tension on it. Tie off the cord. Secure loose end with duct tape.

Rigging the Ama to the 'Iako

The finished rigging. Repeat with the second 'iako.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Lay the 'iako above the wae between the two pepeiao.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Fold the cord in half and wrap the closed end around the wae. Tie a knot to anchor it. Split the cord.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Pull the cord tightly through the front hole in the hull. Do the same on the other side.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Loop the cord around the 'iako and into the back hole. Pull tight. The cord will now be inside the boat. Repeat on opposite side of the canoe.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Pulling tightly, cross the cord and exchange with your partner.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Repeat steps, pulling the cord tight each time.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Repeat steps, pulling the cord tight each time.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Repeat steps, pulling the cord tight each time.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Holding the rope tightly, wrap the cord around the middle of the 'iako and the wae four times. Tighten with each wrap.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Tie off the center cord.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Finish by wrappig duct tape to secure the loose ends.

Rigging the 'Iako to the Wa'a

Rigging an OC6 Koa Racing Canoe