The Gemini is the first OC-2 design from Kai Wa'a. We had this dream of having an OC-2 in our quiver for some time now and we are very excited that we are now able to offer it to you.
Our goals with the Gemini is comfort, performance, control and appearance. We feel we have accomplished our goals. In the flatwater she glides well and cuts through the headwind chop with ease. In open ocean the Gemini has a lively performance into the swell and maintains great glides running with the swells (bumps). The steering control allows you a lot of freedom with manuverability.
We took two Ares cockpits and footwells and dropped them in place plus widened the seat area to give the paddlers maximum comfort and allow the paddler the feeling of being locked in to the canoe.
The Gemini will be the first seamless OC-2 on the market. Built with Ozone's innovative monocoque 100% carbon construction.
FEATURES
COMFORT
lower footwells, wider seats and set in cockpits similar to the ARES provides maximum comfort
SAFETY SYSTEM
bungee in place to keep rudder in position
VERSATILE
ability for a wide range of paddlers to perform in a variety of conditions
RUDDER
same kaiwa'a rudder design popular among all canoes
FOOTWELL DRAIN
enhanced drainage
with new design
ADDITIONAL STORAGE
forward and aft
storage for paddlers
LIGHT
built by Ozone using cutting edge techniques and methods to produce the best product possible
OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE
extensive prototyping and testing in order to ensure optimal performance
BOAT LENGTH: 24' 7"
CENTER WIDTH: 17 1/2"
(measured from center of boat)
"It was amazing! ... The Gemini felt solid, stable and comfortable. As with all Ozone canoes we've owned, its light and well engineered. I especially appreciate the seating and foot well placement allowing a strong posture for paddling and surfing bump. The Ama placement seemed strange at first, but preformed on the bump without dragging or pearling. Always feeling stable with the weight of two people. For us, this was the first OC2 that feels like an OC1: light, rigid and responsive. We were very impressed."
~Mike & Denise Shandroff
“I had the opportunity to demo Kai Wa’a new OC2 Gemini this past Saturday on flat water and then again on a downwind run and I absolutely fell in love. The first thing I noticed was the layout and shape.. it looked very much like the Ares but made for 2 people. The cockpit was nice and comfortable, I didn’t feel cramped or feel like it was too wide or big for me. Love the lowered footwells, I was able to really plant myself in to be able to use more power in my legs. I noticed paddling both in flat and on downwind, the canoe would take off, even with little effort in my stroke. In the surf, the Gemini performed beautifully, it would drop into the wave with barely any effort and noticed that the nose did not stuff and would pop back out. This is a fast canoe! If the demos that Kai had were not already taken, I would have taken one home in a heart beat! I will definitely be putting the Gemini on my next to buy list to go along with my hubby’s Antares and my Ares!”
~Drea Park
Our new model is a smaller version of the Antares. We call her the "Ares". The Ares is cut down in size, and slightly modified in the nose and mid section. Our popular seat and foot well position remains the same to achieve maximum comfort. Our goal with the Ares was to create a smaller design that could run well in all conditions. Upwind, downwind, and flat water. We made a couple of modifications along the way while going through the prototype phase to finished product. As a result we feel the Ares is our best design yet.
In the surf, the Ares is effortless with full control, which is hard to find in smaller designs. The upwind paddling is smooth and consistent, with easy acceleration in the flat sections. The flat water gets entertaining when surges of ground swell, or residual of back wash, catch the hull and take you for an unexpected glide.
We are excited of our gains with the Ares and proudly stand behind our product. We won't sell you ice in Alaska or sand in Hawaii. You be the judge. Take the Ares out for a spin and let what you feel be your deciding factor.
FEATURES
SAFETY SYSTEM
bungee in place to keep rudder in position
FOOTWELL DRAIN
enhanced drainage
with new design
SEATING POSITION
lower footwells for an ergonomic seating position
RUDDER
same kaiwa'a rudder design popular among all canoes
ADDITIONAL STORAGE
forward and aft
storage for paddler
The Antares is nothing like our previous models. We took all the data from our prototypes and shaped a well-rounded multi-dimensional canoe. We changed our rocker outline and pinched the nose and tail. We also changed the whole cross section throughout the hull. Our deck is simple but we incorporated some new features and ideas. We adjusted the positioning of the paddler so that he/she sits above their feet getting a better drive with each stroke. We also incorporated a bungee safety system to our steering. If a cable were to malfunction the bungee is in place so the rudder will remain straight enabling the paddler to get to their destination with less difficulty. We feel we have a great overall design that can compete in the flat water as well as excel in rough conditions like our previous Kai Wa’a designs.
"I think Kai really has something special with the Ares, it's an amazing surfing canoe but also moves in the flat."
~Pat Dolan, 2017 Molokai Solo Champion
"When I sat on the Ares for the first time, I felt like I was home. For me, it's a very comfortable canoe."
~Amy Woodward
"Great top end speed and loose enough to change directions and hit critical angles without losing your rudder"
~ Bobby Praftt
BOAT LENGTH: 20' 9"
NOSE WIDTH: 8 3/8"
(measured 4' from nose)
CENTER WIDTH: 15 7/8"
(measured from center of boat)
TAIL WIDTH: 8 5/8"
(measured 4' from tail)
FEATURES
SAFETY SYSTEM
bungee in place to keep rudder in position
FOOTWELL DRAIN
enhanced drainage
with new design
SEATING POSITION
lower footwells for an ergonomic seating position
RUDDER
same kaiwa'a rudder design popular among all canoes
ADDITIONAL STORAGE
forward and aft
storage for paddler
BOAT LENGTH: 21'
NOSE WIDTH: 9"
(measured 4' from nose)
CENTER WIDTH: 15 7/8"
(measured from center of boat)
TAIL WIDTH: 9"
(measured 4' from tail)
"I can say of the four oc-1's that I've had in the past four years, this new ride is the most comfortable of all, and she can carry on the bumps amazingly well. The new ama is stable, and the boat just feels tight. It's very sensitive to rudder control."
~ Kai Wa'a customer