The FAI 4si capitalizes and builds on everything we have learnt over the years spanning the FAI 3X project, from the first official FAI 3X prototype design in 2011 to the FAI 3Xsi design in late 2019 that made it to production or the many unreleased FAI 3X/KCJ prototypes the team paddlers tested over the years. 

As V1’s are used in a multitude of conditions (whether it be downwind, upwind, side wind, flat, surf...), we aimed to optimize the performance in the most challenging conditions for paddlers.

The FAI 4si showcases a refined hull with a new cockpit design, streamlined deck, redesigned snap-in iatos and receiver system, new ama and more.

The cockpit was redesigned from the ground up in order to keep a drier cockpit, improve comfort and provide adjustability.

The volume of the cockpit open to the elements was reduced dramatically, allowing much less water to enter in a huli situation and requiring less energy to move the canoe and less time emptying cockpit when huli’ing. This directly contributed to the paddler’s safety while out in the open ocean.

As requested by many team paddlers, the coaming height was increased slightly to contribute to the paddlers’ connected-to-the-boat feeling as well as keeping a drier cockpit in rough conditions, also allowing paddlers to gun bigger conditions.

Wanting to improve on ergonomics, we wanted to promote adjustability by the paddler so they can improve their performance while providing a new level of comfort that would lessen fatigue.

An adjustable and ergonomic EVA foam seat provides better support while cradling the paddler for enhanced comfort and a feeling of being more connected to the boat for better control. The adjustability of the seat allows each paddler to move their center of gravity forward and backward to fine tune their canoe’s balance and enhance their performance based on their individual stance in the canoe or to adapt to conditions. The EVA foam makes the seat comfortable on long paddles and its material allows paddlers to customize it to their specific needs.

The foot rest can be quickly adjusted based on the paddler’s height, accommodating a wide range of paddlers. This allows paddlers of vastly different heights (like a parent and their child or a different members of a club) to share the same canoe. The foot rest has its own integrated foot pump system, enabling paddlers to bail water out with each stroke taken as the leg drive unconsciously activates the pump.

The deck was completely streamlined for better aerodynamics, removing all protrusions and cavities that might alter fluid pathlines. In order to do so, the iatos, the angles at which they enter the deck and the iato receivers all had to be rethought. No more fiddling with hard to press pins on the boat side: an innovative twist-to-lock system was engineered. You twist the iato to adjust or remove it.

With the help of Kevin CJ’s feedback, the ama was entirely redesigned and streamlined to reduced drag, increase stability, avoid swamping and provide better performance in different conditions. More volume directly where most of the paddler’s weight is loaded provide enhanced buoyancy, stability and performance in big conditions. A more rounded hull decreases surface area and drag. An increased tail rocker provides better release and avoids digging in and dragging. A slightly reduced rocker in the front section allows for better performance in a variety of conditions in order to get an all-around ama design.

The hull was refined and continues to provide adequate buoyancy in the bow and great maneuverability to prevent excessive pearling while easing paddlers from bump to bump without losing momentum. As its predecessors, the cross section aft of the cockpit adopts a slightly more V hull allowing for great performance on the flat while giving great control in the surf. The rocker allows for performance in all conditions and retain the glide Fai Va’a designs are well known for.

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The FAI 4si reaches an incredible cruising speed and keeps its glide effortlessly. It is very agile and responsive. This Va’a will impress even the most seasoned V1 paddlers in all water conditions. But make up your own mind and take it for a spin to fully grasp the glide this V1 can provide.