Big Dog Force OC1 shells roll off the production line (long)
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:58 pm
Ok it's been a long time in the making but just in time for the Autumn rains and Kanumesse show I'm pleased announce the arrival of the Force OC1 from Big Dog.
There's been some changes and tweaks from the prototype that some of you may have seen or paddled over the past few months. I've listed those below.............
1) There's a good chunk more volume around the decks, the production boat will float higher and be more roomy, making life even easier on your favourite runs.
2) It's slightly longer, and a little bit wider. Basically more flesh has been added to the prototype bones all over. Again gives an even more user friendly boat.
3) Added a splash lip. This was one of the most requested features so it's been added.......the boat just got drier.
4) Grab handles have been turned around 90 degrees. Easier to both clip and grip onto.
The production boat keeps the speed, and tracking that was so nice. It's as forgiving as ever and it still boofs like a demon. Paddle this baby hard!
There's been some innovative work done on the outfitting. All the internal fittings are going to be moulded in plastic and bolted in. That means we're fitting pre-moulded made to measure side walls, a custom made saddle, and thwarts. This has some massive advantages for the end customer. Firstly it means you can just get in and paddle the boat with no messing about with glue. All you'll need to do is shape the padding on your saddle if you want it, stick in the self-adhesive foam provided for knee pads and off you go. The idea is to use the principles behind the kayak fitting kits you see around........we want OC1 paddlers to have the easy life if they want it too. Secondly as the parts are moulded from a standard tool it's going to mean nicely fitting internals everytime. Thirdly once the stuff is bolted in it takes away the worry of glue failure and that time old tradition of having to re-glue your outfitting every once in a while. Now, I'm sure there'll be some of you out there who will be thinking "I still like foam, I want foam outfitting". No problem, just unbolt the plastic internals and put your own foam in.....quick and easy. The price of the boat should allow you to do this without destroying your bank balance. Finally on the issue of weight......foam is surprisingly heavy. The plastic outfitting will not add any weight to the final boat.
As you've probably noticed in the photos we aren't using lacing to secure the airbags. This means you can really pump those bags up if you want. If you wanted to have lacing this is an easy thing to do yourself......simply cut the plastic and lace them up the way you would like.
So what about pricing? Well the Force OC1 is going to retail in the same price bracket as a creek kayak. That's right.....the same price as a kayak. So in the UK that's a price of £795 for a fully outfitted ready to paddle OC1 (airbags included). We want you guys to be able to pick up a boat, and paddle it basically "straight off the the peg" with the minimum amount of effort. Also Big Dog are trying to make OC1 just that little bit more accessible and appealing to the wider paddling community and that part of that strategy is to keep the price within peoples budgets.
I've picked up a Force production shell now.......when I get the chance I'll run a tape measure around it to get you some final specs.
The outfitting is just getting finished off. When I get that in there, I'll get some pictures and details online for you all. For now I'm working in foam land!
As soon as I get some action shots I'll post them on here.....in the meantime attached is a link to some pics of a shell in the yard! They're not the best photos but it's something. I'm still trying to work out how to post directly on the message board......
https://picasaweb.google.com/1054299602 ... ceOC1Shell
Feel free to hit me with any questions etc. UK paddlers look out for the Force at the Wet West Paddle Fest coming up next weekend.
There's been some changes and tweaks from the prototype that some of you may have seen or paddled over the past few months. I've listed those below.............
1) There's a good chunk more volume around the decks, the production boat will float higher and be more roomy, making life even easier on your favourite runs.
2) It's slightly longer, and a little bit wider. Basically more flesh has been added to the prototype bones all over. Again gives an even more user friendly boat.
3) Added a splash lip. This was one of the most requested features so it's been added.......the boat just got drier.
4) Grab handles have been turned around 90 degrees. Easier to both clip and grip onto.
The production boat keeps the speed, and tracking that was so nice. It's as forgiving as ever and it still boofs like a demon. Paddle this baby hard!
There's been some innovative work done on the outfitting. All the internal fittings are going to be moulded in plastic and bolted in. That means we're fitting pre-moulded made to measure side walls, a custom made saddle, and thwarts. This has some massive advantages for the end customer. Firstly it means you can just get in and paddle the boat with no messing about with glue. All you'll need to do is shape the padding on your saddle if you want it, stick in the self-adhesive foam provided for knee pads and off you go. The idea is to use the principles behind the kayak fitting kits you see around........we want OC1 paddlers to have the easy life if they want it too. Secondly as the parts are moulded from a standard tool it's going to mean nicely fitting internals everytime. Thirdly once the stuff is bolted in it takes away the worry of glue failure and that time old tradition of having to re-glue your outfitting every once in a while. Now, I'm sure there'll be some of you out there who will be thinking "I still like foam, I want foam outfitting". No problem, just unbolt the plastic internals and put your own foam in.....quick and easy. The price of the boat should allow you to do this without destroying your bank balance. Finally on the issue of weight......foam is surprisingly heavy. The plastic outfitting will not add any weight to the final boat.
As you've probably noticed in the photos we aren't using lacing to secure the airbags. This means you can really pump those bags up if you want. If you wanted to have lacing this is an easy thing to do yourself......simply cut the plastic and lace them up the way you would like.
So what about pricing? Well the Force OC1 is going to retail in the same price bracket as a creek kayak. That's right.....the same price as a kayak. So in the UK that's a price of £795 for a fully outfitted ready to paddle OC1 (airbags included). We want you guys to be able to pick up a boat, and paddle it basically "straight off the the peg" with the minimum amount of effort. Also Big Dog are trying to make OC1 just that little bit more accessible and appealing to the wider paddling community and that part of that strategy is to keep the price within peoples budgets.
I've picked up a Force production shell now.......when I get the chance I'll run a tape measure around it to get you some final specs.
The outfitting is just getting finished off. When I get that in there, I'll get some pictures and details online for you all. For now I'm working in foam land!
As soon as I get some action shots I'll post them on here.....in the meantime attached is a link to some pics of a shell in the yard! They're not the best photos but it's something. I'm still trying to work out how to post directly on the message board......
https://picasaweb.google.com/1054299602 ... ceOC1Shell
Feel free to hit me with any questions etc. UK paddlers look out for the Force at the Wet West Paddle Fest coming up next weekend.
. 
along with the rest of the full range of colours that Big Dog do..........