One Ocean Kayaks- High performance wood strip sea kayaks


Sea Kayak Designs

 Cape Ann Storm


  

Ever wondered what the beach and the shore looked like from the 'other side' ? Did you ever wish to 'test the waters' at the hard-to-get-to fishing spot in the marshes or the estuary? How about looking out of your car's window over the water and wishing you were there with THOSE kayakers who are having so much fun out there on a glorious spring day.

Well, YOU CAN DO this all
in your home-made, easy to build, high performance kayak ! Now, the first step is to decide which of these top notch craft you would like to paddle.

There is a selection of 13 fast, easy to build, wooden sea kayak models sized from kid (petite) to medium and heavy weight paddlers. If you cannot find the perfect size kayak on this page, look at Kayaks in Plans page for smaller or scaled kayak models.
Some of the links below lead to information that will make your kayak selection easier still.
Click on the kayak pictures below for detailed technical information relating to each kayak design.

 Cape Ann Storm - High performance cruiser (medium-heavy weight)
 Cape Ann - Fast, recreational touring kayak (heavy weight)
 Cape Ann Double - Tandem kayak
 Cape Ann Expedition - High performance touring and cruising kayak (medium-heavy weight)
 Kayaks in Plans - Resized models of existing One Ocean Kayaks
 Stitch & Glue Cirrus models - Hard chine, fast Greenland style cruisers
 Hybrid Cirrus models - Plywood hull with wood strip deck
  
Kayak comparison page - see how all One Ocean Kayaks designs compare in size, wave resistance and viscous (friction) drag.
  Choosing a kayak - a few considerations and tips about selecting the right type of kayak to fit your size, skill and paddling style. Some points about kayak seaworthiness
  Builders' Gallery - Searching for inspiration? This link will take you there! See what customers around the world have done with their One Ocean Kayak designs.


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   CA Storm - click for kayak design specifications


Kayak Design specs...
The stuff that actually tells you something

Cape Ann Storm - 17.5' x 22" ( 5,33 x 0,558m)

Fast and seaworthy high performance kayak that beginners easily tame and advanced paddlers never outgrow. Its displacement is optimized to accommodate paddlers from 160 to 220lb with enough space to pack gear for weekend trips.
Even though it is overall 6" shorter than the Cape Ann, its prismatic coefficient and the length of its effective waterline (curve of areas) make CA Storm very efficient at high cruising or racing speeds.

Its combination of low Area/Displacement ratio, high Length/Beam ratio and its seaworthiness make it a fast hull, good enough for Ocean racing. Harder chines in the aft sections give it good stability in lean and its V cross-section and balanced lateral plane make it track quite well.
If you can dish it out, this kayak can take it!

 
...I was amazed at how little effort it took to keep this boat moving pretty quickly...- T.W.
Well, I got the Storm wet yesterday! WHAT A WONDERFUL DESIGN YOU HAVE CREATED! Although it was fast, responsive and lively, it still felt very stable, much more so than my stitch and glue greenland-style kayak. I was happily balanced in beam waves watching the geese fly south. You have an excellent design. My compliments! ...Oh, and another paddling impression. Your deck design is an excellent blend of high crown and volume for ample leg and foot room, but thanks to the design of the sheer, one can achieve a very relaxed paddling angle close to the hull, almost brushing my hands along the smooth curved deck. I also cut out the standard cockpit opening and found it quite natural to brace my knees under the cockpit sides...
- Jim Kozel
Lance Nash, Michelle Nash and Bogey Nash in their Ocean One Kayaks. Now the fun begins. We are impressed with how they handle and the way they glide through the water...thanks again for all your help - Bogey Nash


Design Features
Kayak Building Plans
Kayak building Plans
  •  Hull form - CA Storm has a swede hull form. It means that its center of buoyancy (LCG) is aft midship. Rounded/convex sections and very straight waterlines throughout the long 'entrance' slice and displace water efficiently.

  •  Medium hard chines and flared sides give this kayak good maneuverability and support when leaned. Mild fore rocker with rounded V stem and significant bow volume reduces the chances for breaching in following seas.

  •  Raised and widened bow/sheerline and increased bow/stern volume above the waterline makes for a comfortably dry ride as the bow is carried over the waves rather then slicing through them. Better stability in wave trough.

  •  Front cockpit depth (12 5/8") makes for sufficient knee/foot space and rear cockpit depth of 10" makes rolling easier.

  • Optimal performance @200lb paddler and gear weight.

  •  Average kayak weight 40 to 47lb ( 18,2 - 20,9 kg)

  •  The Cape Ann Storm is also available in two reduced sizes. See the Storm LT


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   Cape Ann - click for kayak design specifications


Kayak Design specs...
The stuff that actually tells you something

Cape Ann - 18' x 23" ( 5,48 x 0,584m)

This is a fast recreational / touring kayak, ideal for both milder seas and lakes . It is designed to accommodate large and top heavy kayakers (180 - 260lb and 6ft+ tall). Its forgiving stability envelope is appreciated by both beginners and intermediate paddlers alike.
The Cape Ann is a medium-large kayak and its loading capacity (320lb recommended max.) fills the niche between "expedition" and "touring". It's fun for day paddling as well as longer camping trips. You will also find the Cape Ann to be an excellent fishing platform. Its broad fore and aft deck can accommodate lots of camping or fishing gear.

When I planned the hull form, I wanted a kayak that was stable and easy to paddle by beginners but that could maintain excellent cruising speed for effortless long distance touring. The sharp bow entry and stern slice the water cleanly; almost without any wake. Now that you know it, you won't be surprised when you leave your kayaking friends in the "dust".



 
I finished it (Cape Ann)last night except for installing a battery and wiring for a bilge pump. I'm very happy with it. As you can see I haven't installed the rudder, I'll paddle it a while to see if I need it... - Mitch Isoe
Another Cape Ann is on the water!... - Rich Duvall

...The boat was a dream to paddle. I was particularly impressed by how quick it seemed to be. I was paddling with a couple other guys in plastic boats and they just couldn't keep up...
- Leo Boudreau


Design Features
Kayak Building Plans
Kayak building Plans
  •  Hull form - Cape Ann has a Swede hull form. It means that its center of buoyancy (LCG) is aft midship. The very slender entrance and fuller run is a form appropriate for fast touring shells. The hull shape is a combination of shallow and rounded V cross-sections with "medium soft" chines.

  •  Low rocker and long waterline (16' 4.5") - For a cruiser on the open sea, maintaining straight course is more important than being able to turn on a dime. Long waterline and quite straight keel line improve coursekeeping and dampen yawing. Among other things, this makes for long efficient glide with every paddle stroke.

  •  Full waterplane - Convex waterlines above the designed waterline (DWL) give extra secondary stability when heeling without affecting speed and efficiency.

  •  Deep front (13") and rear cockpit (10.5") - Easy entrance and exit as well as space for feet are the operative words here. The height of the rear deck allows large enough back rest for excellent lower back support. This is a prerequisite for comfortable long distance paddling.

  •  Low profile bow and foredeck - This feature minimizes the effects of cross winds on weathercocking in long kayaks like this one. The balanced deck profile enables the Cape Ann to hold its course (without rudder) even in stiff quartering (2 o'clock etc.) winds.

  •  Stern tip is designed for easy rudder attachment. Because of its rather straight keel line softer chines and long waterline, addition of rudder improves maneuverability and paddling efficiency considerably.

  •  Optimal performance @230lb weight range although very forgiving for heavier weights.

  •  Average kayak weight 48 - 55lb ( 21,8 - 25 kg))

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   Cape Ann Double - click for kayak design specifications


Kayak Design specs...
The stuff that actually tells you something

Cape Ann Double - 21' x 27" ( 6,4 x 0,685m)

Load up this cruiser, aim and go...anywhere! This fast double is the kayak of choice for both novices and experts who want to share their adventures with friends. It is mine and my wife's favorite for that reason but also for its seaworthiness that will take you through water that single kayakers would think twice about. This tandem makes and excellent fishing and sailing platform and builders can take it even step further by adding outriggers to make a full-fedged trimaran and scuba diving rig.

The Cape Ann Double is very comfortable and forgiving, yet designed to cover distances at a very fast clip. Its hull form features are very much like that of Cape Ann with changes appropriate for a faster tandem kayak.


 
The kayak handled great and we were both surprised how fast it goes.- Marc Dilley

The kayak was finished just in time for our week on Slocan Lake in central British Columbia. The kayak performed very well and we had a great time. I found it to be stable and fast. Definitely faster than the Kevlar boats I have paddled in the past. I am most pleased with your design and all of your timely e-mail assistance. The boat certainly turns heads. Lots of interest...As soon as I can build my shop, I will be working on kayak number 2!! Thanks again - Rob Irving (Canada)
Thanks for the wonderful kayak design... it is everything I have hoped. Swift, stable + sexy !
- David Orth


Design Features
Kayak Building Plans
Kayak building plans
  •  Three large and independent cargo compartments for week long expeditions.

  • Broad, large deck space for expedition style loading.

  •  Six foot cockpit spacing prevents accidental clashing of paddles and enables independent paddling cadence.

  •  Full bow and high front foredeck assures dry ride in most conditions.

  •  Transportation - It is always a concern with long shells but at 21 feet and 70lb, it behaves very well on larger sedans and all wagons.

  •  Average kayak weight 70lb (31,8kg)!

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   Cape Ann Expedition- click for kayak design specifications


Kayak Design specs...
The stuff that actually tells you something

Cape Ann Expedition - 18.5' x 22" ( 5,63 x 0,558m)

When I was designing the Expedition my main objective was to build a very comfortable and stable touring kayak for paddlers of all skill levels in the 170 to 260lb weight category and for excellent seaworthiness with great emphasis on superb tracking, stability as well as good handling.

I must say, I am pleasantly surprised to find out that all the goals that I set out to achieve in this design have been met beyond my expectations. This is especially true with respect to the Expedition's course keeping ability. This kayak is quite fast and it holds its course (without yaw) better than some kayaks with a skeg. All in all, I believe the Expedition is the ultimate touring kayak of the entire One Ocean Kayaks fleet.
A lot of space for gear makes this kayak perfect for camping trips of extended length (kitchen sink included :) Now, this kayak is also available with elevated deck (by request) which has even more space and accomodates taller and long legged/footed paddlers.

Click on the image below for some views from the hull design program


Expedition line drawings from CAD

 
I love the way she handles... - Roy Morford (Canada)

Your thoroughness is the reason I chose your designs (Expedition)... I launched the CA Expedition for the first time on our vacation in Martha's Vineyard. I love it! I was amazed that I was able to hold 5.5 mph on the GPS with no problem. 7.3 was the max speed but that was down current as the tide was coming into Menemsha pond. I must have explained the building process to at least 20 people and I pointed them all to your website. Thanks again for a great design - Craig Peterson
Its 4 years since I finished her and I am stall amazed at how she is holding up. I finally brokedown and brought her in to give her a new coat after some minor areas that needed attention and she looks brand new. I have paddled the kayak for 4 years know and she has met all expectation and exceeded them. I have been on multiple night camping trips and she does hold everything including the kitchen sink. The best though are the ones with the kevlar and glass boats that all come over and want to check out the ca expedition. And there is always one that wants to take her out for a spin. I get the same response. " I didn't think that kayak would paddle like that"...I am looking forawrd to the next 4 years with her - Gene Goldberger

"Flaming Expedition" built by Erich Eppert


Design Features
Kayak Building Plans
Kayak building Plans
  •  Hull form - CA Expedition has a Swede hull form. Rounded sections throughout the long 'entrance' until midship minimize the area/displacement ratio for very low friction drag. From the mid cockpit section almost all the way to the stern, the chines harden significantly for excellent stability and handling performance.

  •  A pronounced rocker with zero 'dead wood' in the bow and a sharp V keel line from aft the cockpit to the stern make this kayak track like an arrow. Good directional stability is balanced by the hard chines in the aft for excellent response to carved turns as well as good performance in following seas.

  •  Special attention was paid to sharpening the bow / stern entrance and exit angle for minimum wave resistance. Together with its Length/Beam ratio of 10.05, it should bring this kayak close to racing hull performance. Even though the waterline length is 16.86 ft, the Area / Displacement ratio of 8.49 makes this hull look as if it was a much shorter kayak. This simply means that I have taken special care to reduce the 'extra wetted surface' that comes with increasing length.

  •  The narrow waterline beam (width) is flared out to 22in overall beam and the sheerline was raised for reassuring secondary stability in lean. In combination with full waterplane above the designed waterline, beginner kayakers will feel right 'at home' in no time.

  • I have raised the cockpit in the front as well as the rear a bit more than it is on the Storm to get more 'wiggle room'. I felt that for high performance kayak of this length, snug feel is more important for good control than the looser cockpit of the recreational Cape Ann. Please, note that this definition of 'loose vs. snug' should be taken rather 'loosely' so to speak, for I describe this from the perspective of a 6'1" / 240lb (185,4cm/109kg) paddler.
    The plans include two sizes of cockpit opening for paddlers of different sizes and skills.

  • Optimal performance @220lb paddler and gear weight.

  •  Average kayak weight 48 to 58lb ( 21,8 - 26,3 kg)

  •  Expedition High Deck - same hull size as the Expedition except the deck is elevated slightly at the sheerline and mostly in the front cockpit and foot area to suit tall 6'2"- 6'7" (187.9 - 200cm) paddlers and/or people with long legs (over 32 inseam) and large feet 12.5+.

  • The Expedition kayak is also available in a reduced size. See the Expedition Sport




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Last page update: 11 January 2020

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