BACKGROUND INFO

 

We designed the Draco for calm water to small surf type of conditions. We wanted to design something like this for years and with the expanding reach that Ozone has provided along with a worldwide pandemic the timing seemed right (the stars aligned:).

 

First off this is NOT a replacement for the ARES.

 

What makes the Draco unique is that this will be the first Ozone manufactured canoe specifically designed for calm water markets.  We set out with a clear intention to better serve calm water markets and create a brand new design from foam that would suit their needs.

 

As we began conceptualizing the design we noticed an increase of OC1 participation from the dragon boat community due to the pandemic.  With that in mind we designed different features and benefits to cater to this unique dragon boat community as well.

 

 

 

FEATURES

 

VOLUME - The Draco is 20’6” long and 15.75” wide at the seam-line but width at waterline is quite narrow and varies based on weight of the paddler. The Draco is a LOW VOLUME canoe.

 

ROCKER - The rocker is toned down quite a bit from the Ares but we did leave some rocker in the hull for water release purposes and for the small bumps that a paddler may find on a lake or other larger bodies of water.

 

WEIGHT - A lighter weight canoe in calm waters allows for a quicker pickup and sustained speed.  Aesthetics were toned down and features were simplified (foot plates, etc.) in order to keep Draco as light as possible.  Exact weights for all models will be sent out as soon as we get the first canoes that are produced.

 

RIGGING - The iakos can rig on the left or the right side of the canoe to accommodate Dragon Boat time trials.  Paddlers will have the option to rig their canoe on whichever side they prefer based on paddling style and level (i.e. beginner paddler leaning more toward the ama for stability or a more agile paddler looking to lean away from the ama for better speed).

 

VERSATILITY - The Draco will have the ability to rig with an ama on both sides.  The open end iako sleeves on the deck will allow for a second set of iakos and second ama to be rigged to the canoe creating a more stable experience for physically challenged paddlers.

 

WATERLINE  - Waterline length in calm water canoes is crucial for the speed of the canoe so we did some paddler weights to waterline length measurements on the 40lb plug (see below).  Once we get the Draco in hand we will remeasure the waterline length with some additional weights for reference.

At 155 lbs waterline length is 20’1”

At 180 lbs waterline length is 20’3.75”

At 200 lbs waterline length is 20’6”

**length on 40lb Draco plug

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MODELS

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DRACO - price TBD - *rudder options - Kai Waʻa Flat Water, Kai Waʻa Mid Water, Ozone 4” Flat Water, Ozone Weed

DRACO PRO - price TBD - *rudder options - Kai Waʻa Flat Water, Kai Waʻa Mid Water, Ozone 4” Flat Water, Ozone Weed

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AFTER MARKET OPTIONS

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FOOTPLATE - Paddlers will have the option to purchase an after market foot plate that can be attached (and taken off if needed) to accommodate shorter paddlers (see image).  We wanted to design a foot plate that allows shorter paddlers to keep their weight distribution in the same area as taller paddlers but did not want to increase the weight of the canoe with a sliding foot pedal plate.  This foot plate will keep the Draco as light as possible and still serve a wide range of paddlers.

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SECOND SET OF IAKOS + AMA - Customers will have the option to purchase a second set of iakos and second ama if they would like to rig amas on both sides.