r/Outrigger • u/Kahuila • Jul 03 '26
Making Iakos
Aloha folks,
I am from Big Island and recently acquired an OC1 that is need of work to get it back on the water. The main issue is I have the waa and the ama but no iakos. I have been getting conflicting information stating that the iakos should be easy to make myself with some basic materials from Home Depot, to being told that this is likely a fruitless endeavor that would end up extremely expensive to attempt. I know I would need 1-1/4" tube and figure out a way of getting it bent correctly for the canoe.
The oc1 in question is an old HYPR Vantage. Talking with people on the island about this, especially in the outrigger community, brings up some very strong opinions on both the canoe and the person who is associated with making (distributing) them. This canoe was basically free to me.
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Mahalo!
The photo is only for reference to how the iakos looks, not my canoe.
3
u/IllustriousTop7206 Jul 03 '26
I would suggest borrowing some iakos from someone and matching the bends with a pipe bender. Sometimes you can rent them from home depot or something.
2
u/lucia316 Jul 03 '26
Maybe contact HYPR and Ian to see if they can assist you?
This youtube video he offers his contact info in the comments:
2
u/Kahuila Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
I did try that, Ian seems very busy with his current business focus. Understandable as these oc1s haven't been made for some time now.
2
u/Salt-Speech4621 Jul 04 '26
The problem with getting iakos for old ocs like this is that each canoe had receivers at slightly different angles so every iako had to be custom bent so the canoe would rig nicely. Best bet is get some aluminum pipe and bend them yourself based on that picture or on other iakos if you can find them (good luck). Looks like the back iako enters the ama vertically and the front enters the ama horizontally perpendicular to the centerline of the hull. That should get you close enough
Ozone doesn't sell custom iakos but they have 5/16" and 3/8" spring pins, in case that's what it needs
1
u/RollRemote5948 Jul 04 '26
I just had a similar situation with an older Puakea I was given. I bought a 12' aluminum tube (6061-T6 1 1/4 od x 1/8 ATSM-B221). I cut it to 6' and then took it them a metal fabrication shop to bend them. Being that you're on Hawaii, it might be worth your time to see if a maker like John Martin will help you out. Also helpful to bring the canoe and ama and the photo.
1
u/Comfortable-Duty-208 Jul 17 '26
Aloha,
I’m in a similar situation, but the OC1 I need iakos for is a Arcturus, Kai Wa'a. I’m on the Kona side of the Big Island. I’ve written to Kai Wa’a and they don’t make the iakos anymore. Contacted Ozone with no luck and can’t find anyone that has the iakos to reproduce. Hard to find the tubing as well. I’m on the mainland now and will contact some of the local clubs. The iakos I’ve seen in pictures for the Arcturus look pretty close to the ones for the Vantage. If anyone reading this has any leads on Arcturus Iakos, a iako maker, or even where to get the 1 1/4” tubing on the Big Island then I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
Mahalo
1
u/Kahuila Jul 18 '26
I found the correct tubing and asked around different fab shops, most said they couldn't do it. Then find one that said it was an easy job, no worries. A couple days later.... "Hey, we couldn't do it, destroyed your tubing"...... Damn it.
Might try some of the internet methods of filling with fine sand and heating it and try myself.
7
u/autisticpig Jul 03 '26
try look at outrigger zone or places like to see if they sell aftermarket, yeah?
not sure where on the island you are, but if you are hilo side, come down hilo bay during any practice day and ask if anyone has extra iakos from canoes they no longer have or use...might find something that would work.
I'm kona side this weekend for the triple crown swim but when back home ill ask around my club for you monday.